Eurocamp - should we try it?

[Begreatfulofglimmers]

Never been and looking for people’s experiences and recommendations for May half-term.

Normally go long-haul in May but think I’m done with all the faff. I just want a short flight and good times with the kids.

Would really welcome any advice on if and where to go!

YES. This place in the Netherlands was amazing. https://www.eurocamp.co.uk/campsites/netherlands/north-brabant/lake-resort-beekse-bergen?cq_src=google_ads&cq_cmp=17989237806&cq_con=143533601401&cq_term=eurocamp%20beekse%20bergen&cq_med=&cq_plac=&cq_net=g&cq_pos=&cq_plt=gp&gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQiA7se8BhCAARIsAKnF3rw20lYst1onVJ7dSfWbYyAQUPzPhFwW8k685qy1PE-N1icqtIdVLPgaAhonEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds

It has a full safari park on site, walk round and car safari, lake with pedal boats, fairground rides, sandy lake beach, two swimming pools (walk in anytime, no booking), an insane amount of playgrounds indoor and outdoor, some kids entertainment, free entry to a kids zoo about twenty minutes drive away and it's close enough you can stop out for a day at eftling theme park.

It was incredibly reasonable to stay there like £90 a night over Easter for a basic chalet and everything above was included, including some shuttles around the site.

I don't think I can top it this year in all honesty.

@Barleysugar86
Did you drive? How was it?
Did you get a ferry?
Looks amazing!

We drove to dover and took a ferry to dunkirk with DFDS (around two hours on the boat but a very pleasant crossing and nice to be out of the car!) then it was about a three hour drive from dunkirk to the site.

I second going to Beekse Bergen, although it is much better in nice weather! We had a lot of rain and found that did dull the pleasure a bit, We did a day trip to Plopsaland theme park on the way back, much better than I expected (although not a patch on Efteling).

I think you might struggle to do a Eurocamp without driving there. You need to take pillows and pillowcases and sheets/ duvet covers with you (they provide duvets). You also have the kitchen and table in the chalet so you want to drive off site to a supermarket really, you'd be very limited it you didn't with what you can get in the onsite stores and the restaurants get expensive if you are using them for every meal. And it would make it hard to see any sites around where you are staying.

Haha yes, although I think the Netherlands is quite rainy anytime of the year? In our week away we had four rain days and three sunny ones which were pretty pleasant for April. Rainy day in Eftling was ok as there was a lot indoors, and rainy day on site we swam and bowled and did some indoor playgrounds. I do wish we hadn't done the children's zoo on a rainy day however- that was VERY exposed and a bit miserable!

You can book bedding and towel packages so you don't need to take sheets etc. I have mostly driven but did fly once and didn't hire a car. You would have to choose your site carefully though.

Union Lido in Italy would be perfect in May- and it's an ideal site to fly to as no need for a car at all.
Everything is on site from 2 supermarkets to water parks, restaurants and its own private beach. There's even a hair salon.

I'd extend the search beyond Eurocamp though... Bolero are very similar but have a more superior spot on the site (more central so can get everywhere easily)

Having said that, we last went with Canvas Holidays and were a 5 minute walk from the favourite waterpark and a great restaurant so were perfectly happy.

Public transport comes into the site if you wanted to go to Venice etc. It's very easy.

To be honest- any of the large Italian sites would be great- just have a look at the airport transfer times as obviously preferable to keep them to a minimum.

We flew to Duinrell in the Netherlands. 30min taxi from Schiphol airport.

We stayed in the Duinrell premium+ accommodation (not eurocamp) and it was lovely, a big modern lodge. Eurocamp also has a lot of accomodation on the site and it looked grim, like little caravan type things. Not particularly clean or comfortable. I'm not sure if they even had aircon. But if you're okay with that then go for it but I'd be really disappointed if I ended up in one of those.

We've done Union Lido without a car. Transfer or bus from Venice or Treviso. There was so much to do on site we never left, though it's easy to visit Venice from there. Also Siblu La Carabasse and Club Farret in Vias Plage - taxi from Beziers airport. Vias has mini-golf, Luna Park, beach, shops and restaurants all within walking distance. And you can rent bikes to ride along the Canal Du Midi.

We've done quite a few of the places mentioned - Duinrell / Union Lido (in fact went with Bolero as also mentioned). As long as you manage your own (adult) expectations, then its great. As others have said, masses of things for young children to do, they will have a great time. Having said that Union Lido is huge and was phenominally busy in the summer school hols - probably not somewhere I would return as it just felt a little too big / busy, but obviously that means more amenities (and we did have amazing weather) and the Bolero accommodation was lovely.

Accommodation on these sites is not luxurious generally, but it can be very good, but they're essentially glorified caravans.

Have a look at Les Castels too in Frnace - smaller, prettier sites, would recommend those too.