USP European sophistication rather than Carlos the Clown. So, perfect restaurants, immaculate service and a divine spa, plus a kids’ clubs and water chutes.

AMBIENCE There are lush avenues of bougainvillea, and elegant Sardinian girls who play with your children all day in the huge swimming pools or on the beach.

EXPERIENCE Thermae del Parco is essentially a collection of six seawater pools descending down a tropically planted hill. There are rooms full of whale music, candles, beauticians bearing marine mud, and all the rest, including the “massaggio al cioccolato”, where white-coated women paint you all over with chocolate and give you an hour-long massage for £95. But what you should concentrate on is the village speciality — saltwater treatment.

FOOD The food is rich but not constantly available and portions are restrained.

IN CROWD Yummy mummies en famille.

WALLET WATCH From £856 per person for a week’s accommodation including BA flights. Children aged 2 to 11 receive a 50 per cent discount. Entry to the thermae is £60 a day.

NEED TO KNOW Citalia (0870 9097555; www.citalia.com)

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