Eurocamp

[Lochie]

Has anyone been to a Eurocamp? Would you recommend?

Am looking at booking for southern France or Italy next year when we will have 1 year old and nearly 4 year old. We haven't been abroad yet but it seems quite cheap. We aren't really campers but I've seen you can stay in mobile homes and it seems like there could be lots to do for young ones, but just going on the brochure really!

Any good?

[katgod]

There is another thread on this on here already. Euro camp key camp canvas all offer similar type holidays. Often on campsites owned by Yello or SIblu, so worth looking up the campsite itself to see what is said about that and then seeing what the different companies offer. THompson al fresco is another one. Cheaper to book direct with the campsite, but the accommodation may not then have the extras you get in a British orientated company like a kettle. WE like it, solves the separate room issue for us, there are such variations in campsites and facilities so usually something to suit everyone. We don't use kids clubs as ours very happy scootering or now older cycling round the campsite and playing in pool. But the big companies offer that if you want it. It is basically a caravan holiday, but somehow being abroad with lots of GErman and Dutch people and the availability of wine transforms it into a very different atmosphere

Ps re other thread did not mean to be rude, just highlighting that there is useful info n the other thread, currently on page 2 of family room

[sillywoman]

Hmmm, we did Eurocamp in the south of France some years ago now. We had a children of 2, 5 & 6. It was . . . ok. I wouldn't use them again. Personally I was a bit disappointed at;

a) The cost: ?1000 near enough for 10 days in a mobile home - seems like a pretty hefty sum to me.

b) The space available. It being the South of France (near Nice) I guess space was at a premium but it was VERY sardine-y and unpleasantly squashed.

c) The accommodation: Not great, some stuff broken or missing, not enough cutlery, all a bit shabby etc.etc.

d) The entertainment available for the kids. Possibly partially our fault. We went the 1st week of September which was apparently end of season. Anyway the kids club was absolutely rubbish, a barely there service and none of it in English so our kids were, understandably, loathe to stay. They tried it once and refused to go back thus negating a large part of why we'd booked with a 'reputable' operator. No grown up time for Mum & Dad that holiday.

So with hindsight I'd say book carefully, ask lots of questions, and it might be worth asking around on wider forums (mumsnet, netmums?) for recommendations for sites in the area you want to be in. Also don't go in September if you want to access a kidsclub.

[nunheadmum]

And I think you need to stay in clubs with the kids for the toddler clubs. We didn't use them as we booked direct with the French operators but the clubs seemed to go on in a big field with little else for parents to do if they were waiting with the kids. I'd second Sillywoman's advice to ask lots of questions.

That said, we had a lovely caravan booking direct with more space than the Euro/Keycamp plots. The pool complex was the main draw for us and we had a reasonably good holiday - considering the kids were 2 and 4.5 at the time.

[Lochie]

No offence taken katgod, will look at other thread too!

Hmmmm ok maybe I'm being sold by glossy brochure and putting rose tinted view on what is basically a caravan park....back to daydreaming about villa with pool...