How average is your child when it comes to travel?

If parenting is a competitive sport, here is an excellent new travel round to play: how average is your child?

According to a recent study, the typical British child today has visited four European cities, flown long-haul three times, and been skiing twice - all before they turn 10.

Meanwhile, parents reported having left the country only twice before the age of 10 - and never further afield than Europe, according to the research by Royal Caribbean.

The study suggested that in their first decade today’s children have visited nearly as many countries (six) as their grandparents did in an entire lifetime. Meanwhile, a 2018 YouGov poll found that the average British adult had visited 9.5 countries in their lifetime, which represented a 37 per cent rise on the average of seven countries recorded in 2013.

This rise in both short and long-haul travel is hardly surprising after years of airline expansion and increasingly competitive fares. In some cases it is cheaper to fly abroad than to travel to the airport.

But if you want to keep up with the Joneses, which are the places your child really ought to visit before they’re 10?

The four European cities your child should visit before they turn 10

1. Rome

When travelling as a family, all roads should lead to Rome. This capital of ancient history, fantastic cuisine, and stunning beauty will please even the grumpiest travellers.

Coordinate with the school curriculum, and trips to the Vatican or the Colosseum will seem like an investment in your child's academic future - with breaks for gelato and Roman pizza (extra points if you take a side-trip to Naples, to determine which city has superior pies).

2. Vienna

Vienna regularly wins "best quality of life for families" awards and is the absolute best city in the world to bring your budding musician: 15,000 concerts are staged there each year. And from the famed Boys Choir to Mozart operas with marionettes, there is great musical joy to be had - and plenty of pastries and coffeehouses to ensure that no one loses steam along the way. Here is how to design the perfect family trip to Vienna.

3. Amsterdam

Forget any trips you made to Amsterdam pre-children. Actually, you probably already have. Happily, there is far more to Amsterdam than coffee shops and the red light district; in fact, it's the ideal place for kids. To win extra points from the young, combine this with a night or two at Efteling, the charming Dutch theme park which is just a short train ride away.

4. Copenhagen

Disney's sappy happy endings have no place in Copenhagen; here, the fairy tales take a darker and altogether more fascinating turn. From the sad mermaid in the harbour to the magical Round Tower, with its equestrian staircase, there is plenty of food for thought.

Tivoli, Copenhagen's amusement park, open since the days of Hans Christian Andersen, features a handful of adrenaline rides, but also flower gardens, funfair booths, a lake, good dining venues and a romantic air in the evenings.

Luckily, Copenhagen is so compact, that you can easily drag the children around town - and some spectacular castles are just half an hour's train ride away.

Three magical long-haul trips ideal for under-10s

1. New York

The fast pace, tall buildings, and endless shopping opportunities of New York are usually recommended for teenagers - but the Big Apple is the ideal break for young children, too. Spend energy at Governor’s Island, and then learn about the history of immigration at Ellis Island and via the fantastic interactive performances at the Tenement Museum on the Lower East Side. There’s still plenty of time left over for street culture and cheaper clothes, sunglasses and iPads - but you might also just lure them to an exhibition or film at the Museum of Modern Art - for reviews of our favourite New York hotels, see here, or save money by booking a flat in a cool Brooklyn neighbourhood.

2. Sri Lanka

Is Sri Lanka the perfect beach holiday destination? If you’re after some time on the sand along with a bit of culture and safari, there’s no better destination for young children - except, perhaps, for Costa Rica. But, given the latter’s impressive possibilities in the adventure holiday stakes, we would advise visiting Sri Lanka first. Here’s how to go with a young child.

3. Kenya

There is a very specific pleasure to exploring the world together with a young child on safari - you are on equal footing, though their eyesight may be sharper than yours. Side by side, you'll become scientists, together, using your powers of observation to learn.

Particularly enjoyable as a three-generation adventure, a classic safari in Kenya is pure magic. Can a five-year-old really appreciate a safari? Absolutely - and here is why.

Two of the best family-friendly ski resorts

1. Obergurgl, Tirol, Austria

Glacier resorts apart, Obergurgl is one of the most snow-sure areas in the Alps and the highest parish in Austria. Combine that with no through-traffic, easy slopes and traditional-style buildings, and you can see why a loyal band of families go back time and time again, often booking a year in advance. Read more.

2. Courchevel, Savoie, France

Courchevel, famous for its glitz and multi-million-euro property prices, might seem an unusual choice for novices, but the resort has many facets. Situated at one end of the giant Trois Vallées ski area that includes Méribel and Val Thorens, its smartest and most expensive village is Courchevel 1850. There’s a wide choice of ski and snowboard schools, but learning from a native English speaker is an advantage, and these schools are British-run: BASS Courchevel, New Generation, Supreme Ski, Sweet Snowsports, and The Snow School. Read more.