Image credit: Siblu
Changes are afoot across Europe’s holiday parks. Katie McGonagle reports
Like this and want more details? Click here to download and save as a PDF.
Just when you think you know what’s what, things change and leave you in a muddle.
That’s true of many things in life, but it need not be the case when it comes to the shifting landscape of European holiday parks. With Eurocamp swallowing sister brand Keycamp, Al Fresco losing its Thomson branding, and new players such as French operator Belambra coming to the UK, it’s easy to get confused. To keep you up to date, Travel Weekly has compiled a guide to the Continent’s key operators, with details of what’s on offer from these budget-friendly family breaks.
EUROCAMP
Where? More than 160 parks in 11 countries including France, Italy, Spain and Croatia.
What’s there? Mini Fun Station parks offer free hire of cots, highchairs and baby baths, but free kids’ clubs for ages six months and up run across-the-board, including Base activity zones for teens. Accommodation ranges from mobile homes and lodges to treehouses and safari tents.
What’s new? Eurocamp and trade brand Keycamp merged in November, giving agents access to 74 extra parks. This year, new Aspect homes offer more space, decking, iPod docks, Wi-Fi and dishwashers, while sub-brand Eurocamp Active adds extra cycling, climbing, walking and summer skiing at selected parks.
Book it: Seven nights in a two-bedroom Esprit mobile home, sleeping up to seven, at Camping Club Mar Estang in Canet Plage, France, starts at £511 per family from May 24.
eurocamp4agents.co.uk
0844 844 0000
HOSEASONS
Where? 131 parks including 82 in France, plus properties in Italy, the Netherlands, Spain and Switzerland.
What’s there? Indoor and outdoor playgrounds, sports such as canoeing, plus cooking, DJ contests, basketball and graffiti workshops for teens on selected sites. French parks feature activities for under-fours and five to nine-year-olds, with parental supervision.
What’s new? Hoseasons has added new destination Fuerteventura, and a new waterski track at Landal Domein De Schatberg in the Netherlands.
Book it: Prices start at £771 for two adults and two children for a week in August at Belle Dune in Picardy, northern France, when booked by April 1.
hoseasons.co.uk/agents
0844 847 1144
AL FRESCO
Where? 68 parks in six countries: France, Italy, Spain, Austria, the Netherlands and Croatia.
What’s there? Baby Packs include cot, highchair, baby bath, gate and socket covers (£3.50 a night, or free at 30 toddler-friendly parks); Toddler Packs offer booster step, nightlight and rubber mattress cover (£3.50). Older children can play football, rounders, mini-golf and tennis, and enjoy nightly entertainment.
What’s new? Al Fresco has dropped ‘Thomson’ from its name in a £2.5 million rebrand, added 12 parks and three new types of mobile home.
Book it: Offers include up to 25% off bookings made by February 28 and free nights on holidays over 10 days. A week at Altomincio Family Park, Lake Garda, during May half-term costs from £367.60.
alfresco-holidays.com/agent
0843 636 7247
PIERRE & VACANCES
Where? 15 European villages, mostly France with three in Spain.
What’s there? All have waterparks, and most feature tennis, golf, cycling, horse-riding, sailing and surfing. Activities for under-12s include secret agent games, circus and magic workshops (chargeable), plus free teen clubs and under-18s disco, and, for a supplement, DJ lessons.
What’s new? Fuerteventura Origo Mare Holiday Village from May, with accommodation sleeping two to seven. There’s up to 30% off bookings before April 1.
Book it: A two-person self-catering studio starts at £468 in Fuerteventura for a week, or £935 for a three-bedroom apartment with private swimming pool.
pv-holidays.com
0870 026 7145
SIBLU
Where? Owner and operator of 14 holiday villages across France.
What’s there? Free children’s clubs in three groups for ages from one to 14, plus outdoor heated pools with lifeguard, football, basketball, evening entertainment, and pre-bookable baby packs.
What’s new? Les Sables du Midi in Languedoc has a new multi-lane waterslide and splash area, and there’s free bike hire at seven villages for bookings before March 31 (siblu.com/bikes).
Book it: Seven nights for four in a two-bedroom Esprit+ holiday home start at £770 from July 26 at Domaine de Kerlann, near Brest.
siblu.com
0871 911 5555
BELAMBRA
Where? 58 clubs across France and Corsica.
What’s there? Leo Clubs cater for ages three months to 14 years. Pre-bookable baby kits include bed, bath and highchair, plus parents can take part in a range of activities supervised by fitness coaches.
What’s new? Belambra has renovated 95% of its properties since 2005, spending £250 million on better pools, beaches, private terraces, flatscreen TVs and in room fridges.
Book it: A week through Esprit Sun to Riviera Beach Club in Côte d’Azur costs £804 per person departing June 14, including flights, car hire, a boat trip to Porquerolles, evening childcare and half-board accommodation.
espritsun.com
01483 791919
BRITTANY FERRIES HOLIDAYS
Where? 76 campsites in France, nine in Spain, five in Portugal.
What’s there? All French clubs have free activities for four to 12-year-olds, such as arts and crafts, treasure hunts and sports. Baby kits are available.
What’s new? Portugal is new this year, along with 12 additional sites in France. Agents can earn up to 15% on ferry-inclusive product.
Book it: A week at chalet park Le Clarys Plage, in St Jean de Monts in the western Loire, starts from £1,008 including cabin accommodation, car hire and ferry crossings from Portsmouth, departing May 24.
brittanyferries.com/agents
0871 244 0744
CANVAS HOLIDAYS
Where? 91 sites including France, Italy, Spain, Germany, Switzerland and Belgium.
What’s there? Cots, highchairs and buggies can be pre-booked, and 21 sites also offer Mini-campers packs with bath, potty, bed rail, booster seat and toilet step. FamilyExtra programmes run at 12 campsites in Italy, Switzerland and France between May 24 and August 31, offering canoeing, family Olympics, body zorbing and chocolate parties.
What’s new? Bella Austria in central Austria was added this year, alongside new Moda mobile homes and luxury safari tent-style accommodation at four French parks.
Book it: Seven nights for up to six in a two-bed classic mobile home at Camping Duinrell in the Netherlands costs from £979.
canvasholidays.co.uk
0845 268 0827
