My son wanted to climb the Alps, my wife fancied dining out in Venice... while my daughter just pined for two weeks on the beach.

Not exactly the most purse-friendly choices, with a looming double-dip recession.

Rather than max out yet another credit card I turned to Eurocamp, which features 150 holiday parcs all over the Continent.

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It turned out they could satisfy all our family's needs and it wouldn't cost more than a fortnight on the Costas.

So we put together a two week road trip with stays at sites in Switzerland and on Italy's Adriatic coast.

We took a cheap flight to Geneva to avoid the long drive and booked a hire car through Europcar, which was ready and waiting for us at the airport.

Then it was off down the Rhone Valley and through the spectacular landscape of the Swiss Alps.

A few hours down the road took us to our first parc, Bella Tola, nestled under a humongous Alpine mountain.

We made for the pool and unwound on sunbeds while gazing up at the amazing peaks around us.

And as for the camping .. forget leaky tents or cramped caravans.

We're talking modern mobile homes with power showers, excellent kitchens and spotless bathrooms.

Next day it was up to Leukerbad, a chocolate-box Alpine settlement on a plateau set under massive cliffs that form a semi-circle behind the town.

This tiny community's history dates back to Roman times when its thermal springs were found to have healing qualities.

Today, four million litres of spa water gush from 2,500 metres below the town centre at a sizzling 51C.

Energetic It's made Leukerbad the largest thermal spa resort in the Alps.

The town has 30 thermal baths, some of them part of hotels such as Les Sources des Alpes which has indoor and outdoor baths, sauna, Turkish bath and solarium.

Then it was off on the walk up to the Gemmi Pass.

Doing it in anything under two hours is considered good, but the seriously fit aim to complete it in under one.

Looking up at the sheer cliffs, you can't even see where the path is.

Built in the 18th Century as a trading route, the narrow track weaves into deeply recessed ravines as it zigzags its way up the cliff.

If this sounds far too energetic, there's always the cable car, and we decided to take the easier option.

The snowstorm at the top, while refreshing, reminded us that we needed some sunshine.

After two relaxing nights in Switzerland we drove east to our next parc at Caorle, just north of Venice in Italy.

Our journey took us over the Simplon Pass, rising through valleys, and past streams fed by year-round glaciers, with every twist and turn revealing breathtaking new views.

A long drive later we were dipping our toes in the Italian Adriatic and watching the evening sunset before hitting the pizza cafe and sampling huge carafes of the local rose wine.

It has 1,500 pitches, nine pools, a private beach, three restaurants, two supermarkets, tennis courts, football pitches, a waterpark, a gym, a cinema and, most importantly of all, its own home-made Italian ice cream parlour.

Once again our two-bedroom Sunlight home was packed with all we needed for a relaxing break.

We'd got air conditioning, our own loo and shower, a comfortable central living and dining area and a fully equipped kitchen with fridge freezer and oven.

Five minutes' walk away was a private beach with sunbeds, pedalos, windsurfing and beautiful views across the Adriatic to the mountains of Croatia.

Next day we checked out Caorle, a fishing port and resort, halfway between Venice and Trieste.

It has a splendid beach and unspoilt hometown feel and has been dubbed Little Venice.

Siesta After a few days we decided to venture further afield, choosing a water taxi day trip from nearby Punta Sabbioni to Venice.

Arriving at 11am meant we had a couple of hours' peace before the tourists landed in their hordes.

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One tip though - if you fancy a gondola trip, do it before noon as the drivers appear to take a siesta when it gets hot.

Later we wandered around, admiring all the tourist must-dos, such as St Mark's Square and the vast St Mark's Basilica.

Then, as the waterfront became crowded, we nosed into the interior and followed the locals.

We found a tiny cafe in a sun-kissed square and relaxed with bowls of fresh pasta washed down by icecold local wine.

If you have time, a visit by vaporetto (water bus) to the glass and lace-making islands of Murano and Burano is a must.

Next morning we took a trip to Caorle's lagunas, a fascinating labyrinth of inland waterways, fishermen's huts and lush riverbanks.

That evening over pizza was our last night.

And the family verdict was that our three holidays had been better than one.

FACT FILE

EUROCAMP offers the widest selection of family camping holidays on holiday parcs and villages throughout Europe and the USA, with a range of activities and age-specific kids' clubs.

Accommodation options include mobile homes, lodges, modern chalets, bungalows, and fully equipped Classic and Safari tents.

A seven-night break at Eurocamp's San Francesco parc on the Adriatic coast, staying in a two-bedroom Horizon mobile home (sleeps eight, maximum four adults), costs from £194 per party, accommodation only, including an early booking discount if booked by February 22.

To book call 0844 406 0552 or visit eurocamp.co.uk.

Car hire for seven days with Europcar costs from £195. To book visit europcar.co.uk