OK Guys choosing our campsite time!!! What do you think???

[crunchie]

We are thinking of \link{http://www.les-tours.com\here} in France. Although Eurocamp go there it is about £1100 for 12 nights in high summer, doing my sums and taking our own tent = £450 :) This only problem is we want to buy electric and fridge, which will mean roof rack/roof box. But I reacon that will be about £200 ish.

Do you all approve :)

[Milliways]

That looks nice Crunchie. Another similar site that I know loads of people recommend is \link{http://www.yellohvillage.com/camping_village/le_parc_des_alicourts/index.php3?langue=en\Parc des Alicourts}

You can book direct (through link). My friends took own tent last year & loved it. You can use their freezers (free) to keep your ice blocks in. All facilities great. We are trying it out on way home from Med at end of summer - but in a caravan

You can ask about this site on the Matthews holiday chat board- it is a useful place to find out about other places.

[crunchie]

Funny enough we were looking at that one last year, but ended up \link{http://www.camping-des-marais.com\here} which is a similar area. We loved the area and everything, but fancy going a bit further away as we'll have 12 nights, not just a week. Any other suggestions welcome :)

[Milliways]

If you really want to drive a long way, & want a LUXURY pitch then the Siblu owned site at \link{http://www.siblu.co.uk/index.php?id=69\La Carabasse } has tent pitches with their own toilet & sink! These are built in tiny blocks with 4 pitches around them - right next to the walk yourself to the beach via the vineyard exit!

We have stayed here twice - it is a lovely spot.

Check out the site for Touring options - they can book your travel & overnight stops etc if you like.

This year we are going \link{http://www.siblu.co.uk/la_sirene.php\here}

[crunchie]

No offence but I wouldn't go near a Haven/Siblu site if you paid me :) I don't want to go somewhere that is only english IYKWIM

I like the look of Parc des Alicourts I think, but it is a lot bigger (400+ piches) But I like the lake. Matthews holidays has an interesting proposition of one with Horse-riding, that could be good for a few days...

Oh well I'll keep planning.

[Milliways]

No offence taken :) There are a lot of French & DUtch on these sites as well btw - but if you have young kids who like the clubs, they are very well run.

We have been with Matthews - but they only do caravans - unless you are just looking as their site for ideas.

The site we are going to is not owned by Haven - it is available to book direct & all companies seem to have pitches there as it is v.popular.

Try the \link{http://www.alanrogers.com/ar2006/NavPages/Home.shtml\Alan Rogers}
website - they specialise in self drive holidays & have loads of smaller sites on their books.

[willow2]

Ok camping gurus - how do all these companies differ and which ones do you rate most/least? Seems to be so much cross over on sites - do they all offer different accomodation within each site? Also, which ones do best kids clubs/activities? (DS is 6)

[pebblemum]

Milliways, we went to La Sirene 2 years ago. It was lovely. The shows that had on in the evenings ranged from Lord of the Rings to Lion King. The pool is great and my kids loved taking the 'petite train' to the beach, ds2 used to fall asleep on it. Ds1 joined in with both the Rory kids club and the site based one. Even though he couldnt speak the language very well he made lotsof friends. We went in September and it was still very hot. The pool over the road at Le Hippocamp is great and is usually a bit quieter than the main one. Would love to go back there but we are trying Holland this year

We always used to go with Siblu/Haven as MIl use to work for them and we got great discounts. The parks that they have pitches on are always nice and clean, the kids clubs are great and everyone on them is very friendly. Most of their sites also have pitches owned by eurocamp, keyamp etc who as far as I know are ok too. The best thing is to shop around, all companies offer different things depending on what you require. I find caravan sites to be more fun for the kids than hotels, more open space to run around in.

[Milliways]

Thanks Pepplemum :)

Willow - The larger companies tend to have the best kids clubs as have more kids attending. If you go to a Siblu (Haven) owned site their clubs are fab. However, our kids no longer use clubs so last year we went for a great hol with Matthews, on same site as all other co's, no clubs but half the price. Depends on how much you would use them I suppose. Siblu are cheaper than Keycamp & Eurocamp, but Carisma, French Freedom & Matthews are cheaper again - with less choice. I would choose a region or site first then see who has it cheapest.