center parcs in europe

[basildonbond]

I've asked the dc what they would like to do this summer and got the reply "an activity holiday" - with further probing it appears they're thinking of Center parcs again (groan) - I can't face the UK ones any more (gone twice now) so was wondering if the European ones are more bearable?

I'm considering it as dh may well not be able to come on holiday with us, so I need something that's easy-ish for me to do on my own with 3 dc ...

so has anyone been and what did you think?

We have been to Kempervennen in the Netherlands and Lac d'Aillette in France.

If we were to go again, I would go to Kempervennen.

We have never been to UK ones, so don't know the issues.

We found both parks that we have been to to be spacious, clean, pleasant. We haven't felt that anywhere was too crowded. We have considered both places to be reasonable value for money.

I've been to Eperheide, which was good fun. Also though, take a look at Landal Parks all over the place and much better value for money than CP in my opinion.

I have been to Loohorst in Holland (now called Limburgse Peel and run by Sunparks) and the one in the Eiffel/Germany.

Both were more basic compared to the other parks, swimming pools ok, bike hire etc but no massive climbing things. But also cheaper. Would be fine if you are ok doing things yourself (walking, cycling etc) and not needing too much organised stuff.

They are cheaper than the other parks though.

What age are your DC?

The one huge draw to the one in Germany is that it is not far from Nurburgring, so if they are interested in cars/racing, it is worth a visit.

We went to the one in Germany and it was bloody brilliant!

Yes, we have been to 2 centre parcs in Holland (Kempervennen and Port Zelande) and 2 in France (Lac d'Aillette and Les Bois-Francs). I would recommend Kempervennen as our favourite European centre parc. There are lots to do on site as well as surrounding area and we took a daytrip to Amsterdam. Port Zelande is also nice.

We did not think that highly of the French parcs. They were quite dirty, dog poo everywhere, people were not as friendly and smokers everywhere. People cycling past me with cigarettes in their mouths really put me off. I thought it was more Butlins than centre Parcs to be honest.

I have been to Erperheide, Het Meerdal, De Huttenhuegte and Het Heijebos and De Eemhof

They are all fairly similar with lots to do. The activities even with the strong euro are very reasonable, we found food a bit more expensive last year as we used to get good deals paying in advance.

We went to Lac d'Aillette in France last July and would never go again.
Have never been to any other CP so can't compare but found it very expensive (cans of coke around 3 euros) and activities crazy money. Most importantly though, the staff were bloody rude.

Agree that Erperheide and Het Meerdal are both of a very high standard.

I haven't heard anything good about the French Centre Parcs but haven't been to one myself, and I don't think we will be.

We've also been to Heilbachsee in Germany, it was lovely but not so many activities. We did lots of walking around the lakes outside of the park.

thanks - the ones in Holland might be worth a go

I've got ds(13), ds2(10) and dd(7) - ds1 and dd both v sporty, ds2 is dyspraxic with asperger's so holidays can be interesting and that's with dh on board too so can't say I'm thrilled with the prospect of doing it on my own ...

both the boys are Top Gear fanatics so the Nurburgring is tempting but I think it's too far to drive and I hate flying!

If you can go the last week of august. The dutch are back at school by then and it's much cheaper.

just a thought - but you could send them on a pgl type activity holiday on their own?

ds2 has statement so I don't think that would be an option, sadly