Dr Rebecca Tidy

Itching to fasten your seat belt for take-off and disembark to the leisurely lunches, balmy beach days and plush hotel linens of a proper normal holiday? You needn’t bide your time ’til May: on Monday the Bailiwick of Jersey reopens to UK tourists, and with the island pretty much back to business as usual.

With its laid-back atmosphere, world-class zoo and castles galore, Jersey’s the ideal place for a getaway with kids. And with Jet2.com increasing its flights there next summer, the Channel Island is more accessible than ever.

This aquatic wonderland makes for an unforgettable family holiday. Discover 65,000 marine animals in the Lost Chambers Aquarium, interact with dolphins at Dolphin Bay or embrace the adrenaline rush at Aquaventure Water Park. This famous five-star resort sits majestically at the crown of the iconic Palm Jumeirah, the biggest man-made island in the world. As you gaze out onto the Persian Gulf or back at the city skyline, you’ll understand why this is one of the most covetable holiday destinations

For those in need of a retreat, the first stop at the Headland Hotel has to be the subterranean spa with hydro pool, sunken hot tub and Cornish salt steam room.