Welcome to Mumsnet's holiday forum. Discuss all international travel here, including both shorthaul and longhaul trips. Related topics: UK holidays & day trips, skiing, camping & campervans.
Welcome to Mumsnet's holiday forum. Discuss all international travel here, including both shorthaul and longhaul trips. Related topics: UK holidays & day trips, skiing, camping & campervans.
Holidays
Best European Centre Parcs
smallchanges1 · 01/01/2020 14:49
Can anyone recommend any of the Centre Parcs in Europe please?
We’ve been a couple of times to Woburn, but fancied one on the continent in May.
ridiculousridiculousness · 01/01/2020 14:57
The Centre Parcs in les-bois francs was lovely when we visited over the summer. I would definitely return. Much better value for money than any UK based resorts.
smallchanges1 · 01/01/2020 15:02
Thank for posting. That’s the one we’ve been looking at today.
I think it’s going to be between that one and De Vossemeren. It’s mainly based on the water park I think as that’s the main attraction for our daughter.
The price difference to UK based ones is crazy. Even with the travel costs, it’s still way less.
LoisLittsLover · 01/01/2020 15:15
Der kempervennen is fab - would just advise staying in the newer accommodation as some is a bit tired - although still clean and tidy etc. Pool complex is amazing with huge rapids and swimming alongside fish
Cornishqween · 01/01/2020 15:19
We've stayed at de kempervennen and stayed in the boat houses. Was the best holiday ever.
Best thing about Center parcs European ones is that you can travel between them and spend the day at other parcs for free. You have all the same access as you would for the one you're staying at.
De kempervennen was lovely and we visited so many different places while staying there. The restaurants inside the resort and the local ones where so child friendly.
We will go back soon I'm sure
smallchanges1 · 01/01/2020 15:28
Ooh that’s interesting. Hadn’t looked closely at de kempervennan as was told the accommodation was meant to be a bit tired, but that water park sounds perfect. Will take a look at the boat houses now. Thank you.
sanityisamyth · 01/01/2020 15:54
Been looking at CP abroad too. How accessible are they from airports etc?
Princessdebthe1st · 01/01/2020 16:01
Don't go to Nature Vallee Paris. Sort of Centre Parcs but not really. Very close to Disneyland Paris with an amazing pool complex. It sounds amazing but the customer service is truly awful. It was when we went in August 18 and there are still consistent complaints about service now if you look at the online reviews.
smallchanges1 · 01/01/2020 16:06
We can’t have a boat house as taking our dog. The reviews are really hit & miss with the VIP cottages.
I’ve read elsewhere to stay away from the Nature Vallee Paris too, so that’s definitely off our list.
RicStar · 01/01/2020 16:25
We went to the South German one last summer it was brand new and was nice - especially the pool but very very expensive we went as we were also visiting family nearby. It was about 1.5hr drive (maybe a bit less) from Munich airport. Its a very nice area although a bit of a drive to proper mountains - we had a lovely time exploring
bruffin · 01/01/2020 16:28
It depends on the age of the child. De Erperheide is perfect for small child with a giant ball pit, but enough for my young teens at the time. De Kempervenn is great for older dc with the link chain water skiing and indoor ski slope.
Het Heijebos tropical dome was good fun for DC
Also been De Huttenheute , Het Meerdal and De Eemhoff.
Durrell is another park worth looking at, not CP but cheaper and has a lovely theme park onsite which is free
There is another brand called Lindel but it is s lot of old CPs and the facilities are not very good compared to CP
smallchanges1 · 01/01/2020 16:53
Lots of information thank you all. I’m more unsure now though as so many to choose from. Do you remember the name of the one you went to Ricstar?
smallchanges1 · 01/01/2020 16:56
bruffin our daughter is 13 and it really is the water park we go for mainly. Would prefer newer accommodation too. Which would you say has both of these in your opinion?
MrsPnut · 01/01/2020 16:59
We're looking at both of these in the Netherlands, one is really close to Efteling as well. www.landal.com/destination/parks#filter:eyJmIjoiOTI5OS4xNjMwMyIsInMiOiIxIiwic3QiOjkyNSwicGFnaW5hdGlvbk9mZnNldCI6MH0= much cheaper than even European Centerparcs and we have had rave reviews from friends that have been.
bruffin · 01/01/2020 17:12
Be careful Landals dont have decent water parks or facilities and are mainly old CP, which is why they are cheaper. They may be updating them , they looked ok for very young children last time I looked.
OP All the CP I have been to have the water parks with Rapids. Some had snorkel pools, and eEemhof has a fluoride for indoor surfing.
We stayed in a VIP at Kempervennen which was nice and it included breakfast rolls delivered to your door every morning and included bbq
No1HolidayPlanner · 02/01/2020 10:11
I would recommend Duinrell in Holland (not CP).
Huge water park, and a small theme park on site. Cycling is fab, can cycle to the beach. Very close to the beautiful town of Wassenaar for coffee shops/restaurants.
Can be booked with Eurocamp etc... but if you book direct with Duinrell the accommodation are called Duingalows and are lovely😊
Savingforarainyday · 02/01/2020 10:15
Kempervennen is the one with the ski hill?
It is fab. It has a fantastic water park, you can have ski lessons cheaply. My kids did it ( off peak season) and were in tiny groups.
Love it
bruffin · 02/01/2020 10:22
Aorry I meant Duinrell above not Durrell. We did a joint trip 5 days at Erperheide and then 7 days at Duinrell
TheBiscuitStrikesBack · 02/01/2020 10:27
We’ve been to nature village and loved it. No complaints on customer service from me.
sawyersfishbiscuits · 02/01/2020 11:22
This thread is so useful, we're hoping to do something like this in the summer. It's great to hear reviews.
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