Meanwhile, their cheap and skilled workforces are helping to attract the overseas investment that will set them on the long-term path to prosperity. Legislation and regulations have been harmonised with those of the EU, leading to better corporate governance.Mike Lenhoff, chief strategist and head of research at stockbroker Brewin Dolphin, which has recently added the Jupiter fund to its buy list, says these countries aspire to the living standards of the West, which is driving consumption. And the Credit Suisse fund would have turned a £1,000 investment into £3,041. The value of both is up by around 50 per cent in the past year alone.Ingrid Kukuljan, co-manager of the Jupiter fund with Elena Shaftan, says the EU accession is important as it means that Central Europe is far less risky than in the past. Those investors who took the plunge in 2002, and opted for funds pushing money in this area, will by now have trebled their stake - and this strong performance looks set to continue.
There have been two key drivers: the accession of eight central European countries into the EU just over a year ago - Poland, Hungary, the Czech Republic, Lithuania, Slovenia, Estonia, Latvia and Slovakia - and a strong economic recovery in Russia. There are two main funds that specialise in this region available to private investors: the £340m Jupiter Emerging European Opportunities, which celebrated its third anniversary last month; and the £28m Credit Suisse European Frontiers.A £1,000 investment in the Jupiter fund three years ago (to 17 October) would now be worth £3,154, after charges and basic-rate tax, according to figures from ratings agency Standard & Poor's. If you've got a taste for adventure, then head for "emerging Europe". A three-night weekend break, including return flights, transfers and b&b accommodation starts from £459 per person, based on two people sharing.. Choose from traditional troika rides, performances by the Slava the world-famous clown, tours of the Museum of the Soviet Army, and more Then get it turned into your perfect itinerary. The price is based on London-Paris Eurostar travel and four sharing a four-berth couchette from Paris to Rome.Our favourite city breakWe love the bespoke tours organised by Russia Revealed (0870 366 5454; www.russiantravel.co.uk), which has got endless ideas to keep your not-so-little darlings entertained - it says 12-18 year-olds get the most out of its holidays to Moscow or St Petersburg.
At the last moment, in the most unexpected spot, they'd found what I said didn't exist: a real Roman emperor.Rail Europe (08705 848 848; www.raileurope.co.uk) offers return fares from London to Paris with an overnight connection to Rome for £208 per adult and £154 per child. This one stared at us with bright-burning hauteur, in full possession of his senses The boys fell completely silent. Whenever I have seen tigers in captivity, they have always been quite mad, heartbreakingly so. Amazingly, the children were unfazed by lingua (tongue) and coda alla vaccinara (oxtail stew).On the final day, we went to the Villa Borghese zoo.Penguins and baby giraffes kept things ticking over, until we reached a 40-foot rock face Suddenly, from a cave high above stalked a Siberian tiger Behind him, his mate preened, eyes glowing.
