Gerry and Kate, both 40, decided to take a break for the sake of their three-year-old twins.
The “incredibly difficult” getaway came 14 months after Madeleine vanished during a holiday in Portugal.

Gerry said: “We recently managed to have a break, visiting family. Sean and Amelie have had a brilliant time and it has been great for me to spend so much time with them.

“Although this has been a relaxing break, it has been incredibly difficult for Kate and me to have been on holiday without Madeleine.”

The devastated dad, of Rothley, Leics, opened his heart on his blog on the Find Madeleine website after the family’s break at a secret location.

Madeleine was three years old when she disappeared from the family’s holiday apartment at Praia da Luz on May 3 last year.

Her parents, who are still official suspects in the case, say they are keeping an eye on reports that the investigation could be closed by police in Portugal.
Gerry said: “Our independent investigation continues and we urge people going on holiday to remain vigilant.”

He and his wife have also vowed to keep campaigning for a Europe-wide alert system for missing children.

Gerry said they were “very pleased” after Euro MPs signed a declaration calling for a US style “Amber Alert” scheme.