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Even though more of us are putting together our own holidays, packages can still be great when you want the children to have plenty to do. SANDRA O’CONNELLpicks 10 of the best and, right, asks whether the package deal might be growing in popularity again

WHEN IT COMES to hoary old chestnuts, the travel industry has a biggie: when the kids are happy the parents are happy. Just because it’s a cliche doesn’t mean it’s not true. Indeed, ensuring the kids are happy is the main reason why just about the only people still buying the traditional package sun holiday seem to be families. But where, in their pursuit of familial happiness, are they going? Go asked a number of tour operators to identify Europe’s most family-friendly properties, to find out what it is about them that keeps the bucket-and-spade brigade returning year after year.