Does this holiday in France exist? I think it doesn't... AI resort near ferry port?

[theduchessstill]

I have rashly told the dc I am considering a ferry to France followed by a stay in a chalet type thing on a campsite. They are so excited - apparently they have always wanted to do both things (sleep on a ferry and stay in a chalet). I had no idea or I would never have mentioned it at this early stage.

Anyway, problem is we have just returned from our first ever stay at an AI resort. I hadn't expected to like it and just did it as ds1 had mentioned wanting other kids to play with. However, I'm a total convert. The resort (in Croatia) was lovely and what I loved so much was not having to give any thought whatsoever to food. Even choosing restaurants can be tiring when you're a lone parent and I had none of that and it was fantastic (we did eat out a couple of times, but most there was no unrelenting 'what are we going to have for lunch/dinner?' every couple of hours like there usually is.

Having been spoilt in this way I seriously don't want to camp next year. I can't the bear the thought of the never-ending shopping/finding restaurants/cooking (even simple stuff), clearing away... Yes, dc can help a bit (9 &11then) but it turns it into more of what we do at home but with less comfort. Money is also a factor - have looked at various combinations of crossing and campsite, and the cost will be more than what I paid this year but with no food included. I can save, but I will also be checking the prices of everything when over there, so that will be another stress.

But the dc have their hearts set on it now. I feel so stupid for mentioning it to them, and such a snob for thinking I'd hate AI then loving it .

Help - I've googled but found nothing...

I have no idea - sorry - my only thought was whether there are any reasonably priced cruises around as that would fit the "sleep on a ferry (ish!)" and be inclusive. Not the chalet though.

Does it have to be France? You could look at getting the ferry to Bilbao in Spain, I think AI is more prevalent in Spain? Failing that, some eurocamp places do half board so you'd only have to do lunch.

I think you would be hard pushed to find an AI chalet type holiday anywhere but especially in France where AI isn't a thing the way it is in other countries.

Cruise and Spain are both options I will look into - thank you.

Sorry, I wasn't very clear. I know I won't find AI camping - my thinking is to disappoint them on one front rather than two. So keep the ferry but stay AI rather than camp. I could do a short UK camping thing instead, maybe in May.

What resort in Croatia did you stay in?

I don't know of any AI campsites in France. What's your budget? There are several big campsites in the area around St Malo but not AI, although there are eating options on site. If you book with Brittany Ferries you can book a chalet on a campsite and the ferry together. I priced up one at a yelloh campsite with a return crossing on the overnight ferry (with a car) at around £2000 for a fortnight in August. I don't know if it works out cheaper if you book them separately. I find the campsites in France (if they have lots of facilities) often work out more expensive than a house.

If you want a ferry and an AI hotel I would get the ferry to Spain instead of France.

Valamar Club Dubrovnik, freakishly. We loved it!

I would like it to come in at around £3K, including spending money - that's what I spent this year. However, ferry/camp option was £2600 when I looked, and I think I'd spend waaay more than £400 in France for two weeks, and it would be hard work!

What about a cruise?

Does it have to be AI? What about full board or even half board? That deals with most of the points you mention and will be easier to find in France.

In my experience France is pretty expensive in general; more so even than London prices which I am well used to paying.
We had a week there this summer.... we tend to self cater rather than eating out all the time, (because of dietary restrictions as well as to save money) but I was quite surprised at the cost of even supermarket food, especially now you are looking at an eye watering £1 = €1.

OP I could have written your post last year. I searched and found one campsite chain that offered AI and another firm that was wildly expensive but a bit nearer the AI type experience. ill try to remember.

However I concluded that Spain was our best bet!

I think it was these but cant recall. Either way we gave up on the French AI. We looked at hotels in cities too but found they were different to tge Spanish 'resorts'

www.clubmed.co.uk/l/discover

somebody posted about an AI campsite the other day! no idea what it was about or where you will find it but somewhere on MN someone knows of one!!!

Belambra? www.belambra.co.uk

Eurocamp will involve lots of cooking shopping! As you loved AI do it again, then book a short break in a U.K. mobile home with onsite activities

Cruising is great with kids. The kids camps on P&O were brilliant. My boys were reluctant to go to them initally, but then we hardly saw them as they were off with their friends, although we insisted they came to meals with us.. At the moment some companies are offering discounts on the 3rd and fourth person in a cabin for next year.

Check out Club Med La Palmyre - it's not really close to the ferry but you could get there in one day.