HELP!!!!!!

[thatsnotmymonster]

So yesterday I started browsing some options for our summer holidays and noted a few sites in Brittany and The Vendee that looked nice.

I just went on to have another look and nothing was available!!

Is it possible that between last night and tonight all the holidays have been booked up? I was looking at Eurocamp/keycamp and Canvas- staying in a tent for 14 nights in June.

I can't believe it- do holidays really get booked up that quickly? I wasn't thinking of booking yet anyway, I'm not sure we can afford it but wanted to have some good ideas so that I could book quickly when we have decided, now they are all gone

Yep. For last summer we couldn't book in October (our normal booking slot for the next summer) or even December (when the last offers are out for the next summer) and then every site I wanted had sold out for our available weeks. We ended up going back to a site we had done before (nice one though) but they only had a HUGE air-con van available . Fab but expensive.

We have booked early this year as I wanted to try a particular site. Even booking in October, I was amazed how many siutes had sold out.

DO try Matthews holidays. You can stay in their smallest van for cheaper than a tent with Keycamp etc.

Thanks Milliways!

I just can't believe that stuff I was looking at last night is now completely gone! I thought because we were going off-peak it would be fine!!

Obviously not though!!

I will look at Matthews, thanks.

Matthews are doing 14 nights in June for

Yes so did I- am looking at the Poole-St Malo crossing which would really help us as coming from Scotland it is a long drive. The supplement is not too bad for a midweek crossing. Are there any sites you would recommend- Vendee or further south (but not too far!) as they all look lovely to me!

dc's will be 5, 3 and 2.

My children are older so like different things, but...

Vendee is warmer than Brittany and beaches are better.

Les Genets and Clarys Plage (next door to each other) are just a short walk from beach and restaurants etc. Les Genets is smaller site with not much apart from pools (which my kids LOVED as were warm and had a lazy river). Clarys Plage looked a lovely site and gets good reviews.

Bretignolles is a great site BUT English are very outnumbered (we liked this, DD speaks French and all the Teens of all nationalities got on well). There is indoor heated pool with flume as well as outdoor pool and it is RIGHT next to the beach. For you kids there is a FANTASTIC fun park at the top of the road (our kids liked it and walked there for a day trip) but it is designed for younger kids. Restaurants in walking distance but need a car to get to town & other resorts.

Ah I was looking at Bretignolles!! Looks lovely. DH and I are both french speakers (rusty but we can communicate well enough and enjoy the opportunity to speak it) and the dc's enjoy trying out some french too so that doesn't bother us at all- we like it too!!

I would definitely prefer to go to the Vendee...will have to chat to dh as I get the feeling we will need to book soon if we want to go!!

Thank you so much for the help- it is a mind boggling business looking for hols!

You are very welcome. I hope you manage to book something soon (and don't forget your MN discount!)

You don't get a MN discount with Matthews do you

Can't help much on the holiday stuff, but just wanted to let you know that we did the Fastcraft from Portsmouth to Cherbourg early crossing, and arrived at our site after 5 hours drive- about half hour from La Rochelle. Driving down from Scotland and stayed at a Premier Inn just minutes from the port. Meant that we were only on the boat for about 3 hours. Also felt nice and relaxed.

Also did same quick crossing back and drove home in a oney. ferry left at 11ish and we were home for 10.30. However we had left the site at 4 am and driven for 5 hours beforehand.

Just as another option

Thanks sammac- good to have options! I will keep that in mind as well!

milli is lying about beaches in vendee, they are much nicer in brittany! la garangeouire is excellent site. don't drive down on a sat as traffic is horrific.

dreamingofsun I was looking at La G too but they all seem to have sold out!! So basically there is not much choice left for those on a very tight budget- can only afford the most basic accommodation (tent ) so am basicall on a hunt for anywhere that's left!!!

you've tried canvas, eurocamp, keycamp, matthews holidays, emailing site directly? i know a lot of people go back there each year - so might be why it gets booked up quickly. does seem strange they are that booked in june - we used to go then and sites were half empty

which sites in brittany have you tried? we prefer brittany, though know the weather isn't as reliable

have you tried calling the companies as they might be able to fit you in for a slightly shorter time that the online system can't spot? Or what about doing a 2 centre holiday as this might give you more options?

I got a loyalty discount from Matthews last year, but they were advertising on here with a 5% discount - worth asking.

OK, their small van is TINY but it has a roof, shower & flushing loo which beats walking to a shower block any day (we managed it with 2 Teenagers).

I think I will call all the sites directly once we have made up our mind what we are going to do- need to make sure we can def afford it etc.! Don't mind about the TINY van as we are used to going in our own caravan and I'm pretty sure it's bigger than that

Very tempted by Matthews at the mo. Thanks for all the tips!