The top 10 early Mediterranean breaks to beat the school holiday crowds

1 LEFKADA, GREECE a week from £1,428 for a family of four

One of the Ionian Sea’s most unspoilt destinations, this Greek island has beautiful ancient towns, sandy beaches and sweeping bays where you can have a go at a range of watersports.
Stay in a gorgeous two-bedroom villa with its own pool a short walk from the sea at Rouda Bay, Mikros Gialos.
The deal: Seven nights at Rouda Beach Villas costs from £376 per adult, £338 per child, based on two adults and two children sharing.
Price includes return flights from Gatwick or Manchester on May 4, car hire and a welcome hamper.

2 SPAIN two nights from £275 (flights extra)

Enjoy a mini-break by the sea at Javea on the Costa Blanca.
The cobbled market town, packed with culture and history, is surrounded by beaches, coves and great scenery.
For days out, visit the beachside district of Aduanas del Mar, the Montgó Nature Reserve and the Cabo de San Antonio Marine Nature Reserve.
The deal: Two nights’ half board at the Hotel Parador de Jávea costs from £275 based on two sharing for selected dates in May.
easyJet flies to Alicante from most UK airports.

3 IBIZA a week from £225pp (flights extra)

Portinatx in the pretty north of Ibiza is one of the more relaxed parts of the party isle.
Club Hotel Portinatx has a swimming pool, three tennis courts, sporting activities and a full events programme for guests all ages.
It is near three beaches and well-placed for walks in the hills.
The deal: A seven-night all-inclusive stay on selected dates in May costs from £255pp based on two sharing.
Flights available from most UK airports.

4 SARDINIA a week from £1,317 for a family of four

Bosa is on the west coast with beautiful wild countryside to one side and pretty beaches on the other.
Visitors can go boating on the river, laze on the beach or explore the town’s cobbled streets before cooling off at a piazza café.
Su Dandaru B&B is in an 18th century house with wooden beams and stone floors.
The deal: B&B in a family room (sleeps four) costs £103 per night. Flights from Bristol for two adults and two children departing May 17 or May 24 cost from £596.48 (easyJet.com).

5 CROATIA a week from £489pp

The fishing village of Baska Voda is a pretty Adriatic resort in the central Dalmatia region.
There’s a selection of beaches, plenty of bars, restaurants and shops plus boat trips.
The Horizant hotel, which has a pool and spa, is walking distance from the pebble beach and the centre of the resort.
The deal: Seven nights’ B&B with flights from Birmingham departing May 9 from £489pp.

6 SOUTH OF FRANCE £395 for a family of four

The Camping Village le Brasilia in Canet-en-Roussillon has two-bedroom mobile homes with decking and air-conditioning.
Set in picturesque pine woods, it is only 150 yards from a beautiful sandy beach but also has a tropical water park with boulders and lagoons plus bikes for hire.
There is a programme of evening entertainment, a kids’ club and sports activities including archery.
The deal: A seven-night self-catering holiday starting on May 24 costs £395 for two adults and two children.
Includes return ferry crossing for car and passengers departing from Dover.

7 MAJORCA a week from £217pp

Cala Millor on the island’s rugged east coast has plenty to keep visitors entertained, from streets filled with restaurants, bars and shops to a beautiful beach which is renowned for its white sand, gentle slopes and family-friendly shallow water.
Other attractions include the 17th century Punta de n’Amer watchtower, which offers amazing views over a protected nature reserve, and the Cuevas del Drach (Dragon Caves).
These natural wonders are full of spectacular formations, stalactites, stalagmites and one of the largest underground lakes in the world.
The nearby town of Son Servera is also worth checking out for its excellent Friday market, charming historical buildings and churches.
The three-star Blue Sea Hotel La Pinta in the centre of Cala Millor has a pool and sun terrace.
The deal: A seven-night all-inclusive stay at Blue Sea Hotel La Pinta costs from £217pp based on two sharing including flights from Stansted on May 18.

8 MONTENEGRO a week from £649pp (flights extra)

Take a road trip around Montenegro for a perfect mix of lakes, forests, mountains and sun-drenched Mediterranean coastlines.
Activities include cultural tours, hiking and rafting – or just lounging on the beach.
Accommodation along the way ranges from boutique hotels in the old town to private apartments with swimming pools and mountain cabins.
The deal: Four nights at Kotor View Apartments and a night each at Izlazak, Kolasin and Hotel Astoria starting on May 3 or May 10 costs from £649pp.
The price includes transfers, entry to all sights and a rep. Ryanair flies from Stansted to Podgorica from £19.99 each way (ryanair.com).

9 CYPRUS a week from £315pp

Protaras resort on the south-east coast of the island is perfectly positioned for the pick of some of Cyprus’s best beaches, including the stunning sands of Marlita and Fig Tree Bay, which is popular for watersports.
A stroll from Marlita beach is the three-star Smartline Protaras Hotel in Pernera, an ideal base for exploring the area. It has a pool and free internet access.
The deal: Seven nights’ half board at the Smartline Protaras Hotel costs from £315pp (based on two sharing) including flights departing from East Midlands airport on May 4 and transfers with Airtours.

10 TURKEY a week from £645pp

Visit Bodrum for a family break with a health and fitness twist at the Sianji Wellbeing Resort, which offers daily classes and activities.
There is also evening entertainment and a kids’ club with face-painting, daily sporting tournaments, a mini disco and more.
The deal: Seven nights all inclusive costs from £645pp based on a family of four sharing. Includes return flights from Gatwick, transfers, daily health and fitness classes, the use of tennis courts, some water sports and a children’s club for four to 12-year-olds.