IT'S the ideal place for a doctor to take a spot of recuperation-and one where, for a change, a high temperature is a good sign.

In fact after a thorough examination of Club Med's resort at Kamarina on the south west coast of Sicily, I can recommend that you take it once a year as an excellent tonic from the stresses of work . . . with plenty of sunbed rest.

I went with my family and a few friends and we took three adjoining apartments on a break which turned out to be very relaxing group therapy.

The flight there is three hours and the transfer from the airport two-but, once you've arrived at the Club Med village, the strains of travelling are soon soothed away.

With one staff member for every five guests, nothing is too much trouble as bags disappear to your room, drinks are poured, and the tour of the village and its facilities completed.

After that I knew my wife Sarah and I were in for a wonderful time-along with our 16-year-old twins Rupert and Samantha and our youngest, 13-year-old Dylan.

Kamarina boasts the biggest swimming pool in Europe, with separate areas for children, aquarobics, water polo and other games.

It's kept immaculately clean and there's no shortage of sun-loungers surrounding the pool where adults can relax in peace as the kids play.

Trapeze

There's a wonderfully organised crèche for toddlers and I never saw an unhappy child during the entire week. In a hot climate and with so much excitement, that's saying something!

The beach is just a short stroll away where catamarans, pedalos and kayaks await the more adventurous.

On the way is an impressive trapeze area where specialist gymnasts will teach you how to fly through the air with the greatest of ease.

After all that you'll be ready to chill out with a cold beer, tangy margarita or cool mojito in the main bar overlooking the pool.

In fact there is no shortage of activities to keep you occupied if you find the energy to rise from your sunbed. There's archery, quad biking, a well-equipped air-conditioned gym and cycling.

Also on-site is the opportunity to learn classical dance from the experts and to improve your tennis on one of 28 courts.

That's what I loved about Club Med-you have the best of both worlds. You can be as lazy and as pampered as you like, but it could also be an active holiday where the kids never have to pester you and are completely safe.

You don't have to keep putting your hand in your pocket either as everything is paid for up-front. That's very liberating somehow, and makes the expertly mixed cocktails taste even better!

The social life and general ambience around Kamarina is really great too.

There's a multinational clientele who all get on brilliantly and whose kids blend together like one big family.

And meal times are heaven. There are four beautiful restaurants to choose from each day (my favourite being The Sea-Horse with a panoramic view overlooking the sea) with an unlimited choice from exotic seafood dishes to lovely pasta and pizzas.

In the evenings, staff put on theatrical spectaculars to entertain children and adults alike. And there's lively nightlife in the resort's club.

Plenty of the people I met had returned time and time again-not just to Kamarina, but to one of the other 79 Club Med resorts as well.

They said the whole philosophy of the organisation suited them brilliantly-guaranteed sunshine, faultless planning, endless activities and perfect service, always with a smile.

If you want to explore, Sicily is the largest island in the Med, famous for its beautiful beaches, Greek temples and Roman architecture. Club Med offers a varied selection of excursions, including an adventurous trip to Mount Etna and market expeditions.

At 3,350 metres, Etna is Europe's highest active volcano where you can ski in the winter and enjoy breathtaking hikes in the summer. The noisy outdoor markets date from the ninth century when the Saracens ruled and there is still the distinctive flavour of Arabian souks.

Here, you get closer to the real Sicilians than anywhere and you will be tempted by delicious fruit, bargain souvenirs-and row upon row of shoes and sandals! Very apt.

Because somehow I don't think my family will have too much trouble retracing our footsteps back here again.

Getting there

CLUB Med offer seven nights at the Club Med Kamarina, Sicily, from £1,000 per adult and £847 per child, including flights from London, for departures during July.

This also includes transfers, all meals, beers and soft drinks, a range of group classes and sports activities and personal holiday insurance.

Visit www.clubmed.co.uk/cm/resorts-europe-sicily-kamarina_p-341-l-EN-v-KAMC-ac-vh.html?CMCID=0316180435EN_en or call 08453 67 67 67.

Save up to £200 and £100 per child on a selection on selected dates and properties. Visit www.clubmed.co.uk

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