Driveable European Holidays

[Holidayaddict]

I've been charged with booking a holiday next summer for a large family group aged 11-85. We already know we want all inclusive and the place has to be disabled friendly. One of the party cannot fly (although some of us will likely fly). So needs to be somewhere that can be driven to reasonably easily.

Suggestions so far are Costa Dorada and I'm just wondering about Lake Garda? Have done a number of Spanish AI holidays so wondered about somewhere a bit different.

Any other ideas?

Thank you.

Which airport/s would the fliers be using?

& how hot can it be?

Côte d'Azur?

Normandy or Brittany? Holland?

We live in the South East so one of the London airports. We want guaranteed good weather so Northern France, although easier driving wise, might be a bit iffy for weather. There will be a number of kids aged between 11 & 15 so need to keep them entertained (water park has been requested). The comment re having been to lots of Spanish AIs is my opinion but realise there are a lot of people to please here so won't rule it out!

TIA

Have you thought about going by train?

Spain is a bloody long drive and Lake Garda too requires a night on the way and two days of driving. How much driving is acceptable? I think I'd head to either Western France (the area around Ile de Re/La Rochelle is lovely in summer), or southern France (either the Languedoc or Cote d'Azur are sunny and hot in summer). The non-flyers could easily take the train to the south of France. Eurostar to Lille then TGV south is very doable in a day. I'm not sure about the connections heading west, but presumably that would also be possible.

I was going to suggest Languedoc/Roussillon - still quite a drive but you could just about do it in a day. Fliers could use Perpignan, Carcassonne or Beziers. There are 3 Aqualands along that coast.

Dordogne might be easier - much shorter drive. Fly to Bergerac. Being inland there are plenty of water activity centres on lakes & rivers as well as actual aqualand type places.

(Flights are generally Ryanair from Stansted)

Is there such a thing as All inclusive in France? It's one of the criteria I've been given as catering/going to restaurants with a large group could be pita.

Not a lot I don't think

Thomson have some in Nice & Club Med has one near Cannes & one in Charente Maritime. I haven't found any in the SW.

Might be worth asking a travel agent!

www.clubmed.co.uk/d/Europe/France
www.thomson.co.uk/destinations/europe/france/holidays-france/all-inclusive-holidays

Travel counsellors are a group but work independently from home. I believe they're quite good - never used one, mind

www.travelcounsellors.co.uk/gb/leisure

Well how big is your family group? We went away with my family last Oct - there were 15 of us - age range 5-74. We SC and ate out every day. We just rang ahead and booked a table. Large hypermarket nearby, we took it in turns to go and do a shop. A different selection of adults cooked dinner each night, but it was always BBQ, salad, ready-made hors d'oevres/charcuterie/etc. A large group in a AI hotel could find yourselves spread out all over the place, which could be an equal PITA trying to co-ordinate meals and activities together. At least in one big or two adjacent properties you'd be together. Or perhaps you don't want to be?!

But yes, for this kind of complicated booking a good travel agent could well be your best bet.

Can the person who doesn't fly use the train? It would make Italy or Portugal more assessable

They'll be 18 of us.

How about getting the ferry to Spain?

Have a look at Pierre et Vacances sites, all over France and beyond. Some have more comprehensive facilities than others including waterparks, pools, sports etc and accommodation suitable for those with mobility issues. Would fly drive be an option?

P&V are self-catering, aren't they?

We went to Center Parcs in France last year. It was the one near Saumur. Lovely and hot and great facilities. It's not all inclusive but I believe you could buy meal passes and choose your restaurant each day. We drove but you could also fly or take the train.

Ah missed it was to be AI.