A month in Europe with 6 and 4 year old- recommendations

[krisskross]

Its possible that DH can have four weeks leave in the summer so we are thinking of a long trip with the DC.

We are based in London with family in Ireland, so vaguely thinking of getting the ferry there, staying for a week and then getting the ferry to northern spain (bilbao? Santander? is this even possible?) and staying at perhaps three decent holiday camps as we move north through france to get the ferry back.

we've stayed in mobile homes a several eurocamp style places and the DC love it.

Can you recommend any in the (very vague) areas i'm thinking of? We'd like decent pools, nice environment, kids stuff to do (but we dont want to leave them at a kids camp).

We have a limited budget and have never been on these type of hols in summer hols. Should we consider some camping? (We have no stuff and have never been). Is it loads and loads cheaper to camp? I am not sure we're up to cooking etc so might end up eating out loads, so losing the money saving.

Also, will eurocamp/ al fresco give us a deal if we're buying several weeks?

Apologies for such a long and vague post, but can anyone give some advice, good places to stay and how to do this on a budget?

Thanks!!

Camping is loads cheaper than eurocamp and gives you much more flexibility. If you are staying with eurocamp or similar then you will probably be limited in summer to one week lets, where as if you camp you could stay 3 nights then move on.

France is on holiday in August so you need to pre-book everything in advance as it can be very crowded.

What sort or budget do you have for the four weeks for travel, accommodation and spending money?

Where are you planning on stopping? If we are talking August, Eurocamp and the like will be probably £1200 a week plus for a mobile - less for a tent.

You won't get a deal if you book different parks ime.

Thanks everyone, it seems we haven't given it enough thought! We certainly don't have 1200pwk for accomodation. We're used to doing everything last minute and not having to pay school hols prices. Time to think again.....we want to do it cheaply but I don't think.I can manage camping...!

You should be able to get a gite (on a complex) for less than that. Try having a look at Cheznous.com or Holidaylettings.com

Here for example is about £800 per week in August.

thanks Porto.....hadnt heard of cheznous,,,,,will give it a look.

I went to a fab eco glampsite a few years ago in the Algarve, Portugal.
They were called Tipi Algarve. We stayed in a huge family Tipi. Had comfy beds with linen , furniture and electricity, your own little camp kitchen and dining area with hammocks. Really relaxing and a great little pool and childrens play ground. Friendly, playful dogs, chickens you can feed and you can pick your own veg they grow. We all had a fun time and we were close to a great beach by car. Around 500- 550€ a week, not bad, smaller units were cheaper. We flew Ryan Air and drove to the campsite, less than an hour. Check them out www.tipialgarve.com