Steph and Dan can't wait for their trip to Granada. They're going by train (direct from Leicester), which is in itself an experience they're looking forward to.

The journey takes ten hours, but it's travelling in style, the train's high speeds combined with old-school Orient Express luxury. It's so comfortable, the adjustable seats are fantastic for when Dan takes his midday nap, but Steph's likely to be too busy checking out the options on offer to them when they arrive in Granada to think about sleeping.

Through the virtual immersion technology available in their train compartment, she can take a stroll around the city's narrow streets, plan a trip into the mountains with one of the tour operators, and even check out the opening times of the Alhambra palaces.

If that's not enough, on the journey they'll also take in the views of the local countryside, and if there's an area that takes their fancy, they'll investigate that with the immersion screen too. Fellow travellers' photos, reviews, and films of the spots they're passing through can all be downloaded and browsed as the train speeds along - perfect for planning the next trip.

The only thing that'll be missing is their son, James, who's sixteen. This is the first year that he's eschewing the family holiday, instead opting for a week at the TIGC (Total Immersion Gaming Centre) in Leicester city centre. He's going with three mates from school, and they've been on about it for ages.

Each day is themed around a specific film or online game, but instead of playing on a screen they're fully immersed in their character's role using enhanced virtual window technology; even the food and the after-hours socialising is themed. It's a good thing it's not too expensive - based on its rave reviews from fellow teens, Steph has a feeling it could become a yearly thing for James.