clarys plage canvas best way to go

[tkjsmum]

Please help. Never been on family holiday abroad before (my eldest in 11 and youngest 5)Anxious and excited at the same time. I've rung canvas to reserve a tent in June in clarys plage but can't decide the best way to go. We'll be travelling from Manchester. Is it best to get ferry overnight from portsmouth to st malo and ferry overnight caen to portsmouth on the way back(more expensive option by loads) or do dover calais and stay novotel in rouen (£156 each night because of having to book 2 rooms) and do the same to go home making it £300 plus tolls £40 plus fuel plus long drive. need to decide as have to pay the deposit today. Would appreciate any help.

When we went there we did Portsmouth -Caen (Do NOT take the fast vomit-comet to Cherbourg!) and drove in one leg from there using no toll roads (but we live nearer the ports.

If you have to tak an overnight stop, it may be worth looking at Novotels. They are more expensive than campaniles etc but do take 4 in a room and kids breakfasts are free (we used them when going South),

This year we are staying in a Cristal Hotel for E.88 for a family room (sleeps 5) but no meals included. We will go to the local Flunch

NB, if it is not too late, check out Matthews Holidays as we have found you can stay with them in a caravan cheaper than a Tent with other sites.

The overnight to St malo is a lovely realxing start to your holiday but expensive! Meal in Portsmouth, drinks in bar while kids dance to disco and then back to cabin. Never done the on on the way back though. We also stayed o/n in Rouen - Novotel Rouen Sud which was fantastic - really great hotel with loads of facilities nearby and great facilities in hotel. Kids play area is next to bar and fab outside woods and walks.
Agree - do not take the vomit comet! It's vile!! I was the only person not vomiting when we did it!

Milliways and Leslaki: thanks so much for that advice. As first timers i think we're going to go overnight on the ferry even though it's more expensive. How much should we bring for spending money? I was thinking £500. also we've changed to a campsite that has a kids club on in June (les biches)as am nervous it might rain and at least they'll have something to do.

We only ever take around £200 cash, but put loads on the credit cards. We drive to the Hypermarkets/Wine Caves and load boot wine (leave space!).

Depends how much you self cater and how much you eat out. We would maybe eat out every 3rd or 4th day, but DID have ice creams/waffles etc most days. Sitting on the beach by day & barbequing at night doesn't cost much. (I always take curry sauces, bolognaise mix, chilli mix, pasta, rice, ketchup, soy sauce etc etc with us).

Take a day trip to the Puy du Fou if you can manage it (loads of other endoresements on old threads).

You COULD consider the longer (6 hr?) overnight Portsmouth Caen crossing. we have done that and just paid for the £5 or £10 reclining seats and taken pillows & coats on board - kids slept on floor anyway. It's just that the St Malo ferry + cabin is sooo expensive, and in the time spent on ferrry you could have driven to the site. The onboard food is expensive too.

Have to second le puy de fou too!! It's fantastic here and also http://www.parcdesdunes.com/ here is a fab and cheapish day out - all us brits were there with packed lunches whle the French sat in the cafe eating lobster!!! and here

leslaki and milliways thanks for that insider advice but check out my other thread. Am now dithering and thinking maybe ile de re might be nicer and there might be more to do?? Is there much to do on clarys plage especially if it rains?