Two girls drawing on an airplane. -- David De Lossy/Photodisc Green/Getty Images

Traveling with children is a challenge at the best of times, but Air Transat has released a few tips to make life easier for young families.

Like other airlines, Air Transat offers priority boarding for families travelling with young children, but goes beyond that, offering family check-in counters at most Canadian airports. Kids aged 2 to 11 also get a game book before boarding, and a surprise bag just before take-off. Aircraft contain change tables, and parents of newborns receive a kit containing an extra diaper, baby wipes, a teething toy and hand sanitizing lotion. There is no extra charge to bring along playpens, strollers, or car seats.

Children between the ages of 5 and 11 who are travelling alone are provided with "VIP" service, including priority boarding, pre-selection of seats, and are accompanied at all times -- through customs, baggage claim, etc. -- until they are met by their designated caregiver.

For more information, check out airtransat.ca/en/kids_club and for general travel information, see airtransat.com.

New holiday villages cater to families

Families with young children are often faced with either lugging around needed but cumbersome baby gear when travelling, or going without. Now, Signature Vacations has created two resorts which include a baby pack with high chair, stroller, baby bathtub, playpen, steam sterilizer and a bottle and food warmer. Childcare is also offered for toddlers aged 12 to 35 months. The resorts, in Puerto Plata and Lanzarote offer a wide range of activities, including swim school, soccer school for kids and teens, tennis lessons, and gym activities like trampolines, balance beams and climbing as well as archery and team raft building. For those who just want to relax, the Holiday Village Golden Beach Resort offers adult "Royal Suites" in a secluded beachfront area, as well as adult only areas for dining and entertainment.

Details of the holiday villages can be found in Signature's new 2006-07 brochure of winter sun destinations. The booklet features six new destinations, 31 exclusive Signature resorts and 60 new hotels. Weekly departures from Toronto include Aruba, Belize and Lanzarote in the Canary Islands, as well as Samana in the Dominican Republic. For more see signaturevacations.com.