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Package deals are among the easiest ways to travel with children, writes AILISH CONNELLY, who got to Corfu hassle-free before embracing all the sun-drenched Greek island has to offer

The husband and I sighed happily. It was business as usual. George, Elena’s son, old friend, new dad and man possessed of an encyclopaedic knowledge of this beautiful place, had taken our order of grilled feta, courgette balls, salads and souvlakis, after cursing us for our tardy return to his beloved homeland. The local wine was starting to flow. The evening was warm, a pink light playing on the slopes of distant mainland Greece, the soft breeze enveloping us with the scent of lilies. Our children were noisily meandering around the olive trees, hunting small lizards and insects, best mates already with other holidaying youngsters. We were back. The Greek chorus of our vacation had begun as delightfully as we anticipated it would, with colour, clamour and just the correct level of chaos.