... Basically we were skint but wanted a holiday abroad, and Eurocamp seemed to fit the bill.
We were so impressed that we have been at least every other year since - although we have now progressed to mobile homes rather than tents. So how does it work?
Booking
This is dead easy, although ... Read review
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Advantages: Excellent value; well appointed sites; flexible choices;great service Disadvantages: some sites are less scenic than others; pricing looks complicated at first
...wanted a holiday abroad, and Eurocamp seemed to fit the bill.
We were so impressed that we have been at least every other year since - although we have now progressed to mobile homes rather than tents. So how does it work?
Booking
This is dead easy, although when you first look in the brochure it might seem a bit daunting. Basically you get a price for a basic holiday and then you add amounts for days, ... ...I think I would recommend Eurocamp to just about anyone. My tips for potential new Eurocampers?
1. Take a small box of provisions to save you having to shop when you get there
2. Take sleeping bags to save having to make beds. you can get the kids to sit on the m in the car to save space
3. Make friends with the couriers - they are a mine of useful information
4. Make friends with your neighbours - its good to ... more
We first went Euro-camping about 15 years ago when I our children were 5 and 1 (blimey how they've grown). Basically we were skint but wanted a holiday abroad, and Eurocamp seemed to fit the bill.
We were so impressed that we have been at least every other year since - although we have now progressed to mobile homes rather than tents. So how does it work?
Booking
This is dead easy, although when you first look in the brochure it might seem a bit daunting. Basically you get a price for a basic holiday and then you add amounts for days, increased spec of accomodation, travel routes etc and that gives you a pretty good idea of your price - then you call them (I prefer to call rather than do things on line because you can ask questions then). I've always found the staff to be very knowledgeable and friendly. You tell them where youd like to go, and which dates, and what sort of accommodation, and they will tell you if its free. If there's a problem, they've always got a suggestion to help you out. It might be an alternative site, alternative accommodation or even a two centre holiday - which can be good for variety.
Once youve booked you pay a deposit - and then a few weeks before you pay the balance and you get all your stuff through. Its a right little goodie bag too - you get maps, local guides, things for the kids, travel tickets, and theres usually a little gift there too. We've had rucksacks, document folders, picnic blankets. Its a nice touch.
Travel
The basic cost of the holiday includes standard ferry or shuttle tickets. If you want a more expensive route it just gets added to the bill. You can even go Motorail - which I love (but thats a whole different review!). They also give you a route to get to the campsite so its very difficult to get lost (unless of course the French have changed the roads which they did one year and we got horribly mislaid). To me the journey on holiday is part of the fun so make the most of the places you see on the way. You can even book stopovers in other campsites or hotels if you want to split the journey - and dont mind living out of a suitcase.
Arrival
You are asked not to arrive before about 11 oclock to give them time to clear the accommodation. This can be a bit of a bind if you arrive on the 6.00 am motorail, or the campsite is close to the port. But once youre there, the couriers will welcome you and show you to your accommodation. They explain whats on the site and how things work - and theres usually a welcoming bottle of wine which is a nice touch.
Accommodation
Basically two types - tents and mobile homes. Tents are usually to one spec and mobile homes range from the lovely to the luxurious. Care on choosing your mobile to make sure it has enough bedrooms. The tents are large and airy - there are two and sometimes three sleeping areas, with sprung camp beds and zip up compartment doors. Theres a lounge and kitchen area with a cooker and fridge. The tent is floored throughout with tarpaulin. Its not your Boy Scouts slumming it type camping - this is sophisticated.
If you like your creature comforts and can afford that bit extra - go for the mobile home. You get lots more luxury - beds (!) a shower, your own washing facilities, microwave. It doesnt feel quite so much like geting back to nature, but if it rains and you see the 'tenties' getting waterlogged or dragging mud into their tents - you can look smug!!
Outside theres space for a car, a table and chairs for al fresco dining, and sunloungers.
The canpsite
Oh how I love continental camp sites! No ploughed fields and a rusty old toilet here. Toilet and wash blocks (you only use these if youre in a tent) are always clean and close and they are very good for striking up friendships over the washing up. There are play areas for the kids - the sites are so safe they can wander to them on their own - and games areas with things like table tennis and swings.
There is ALWAYS a bar, and usually a good quality restaurant. Most times there is a pizzeria or take away too. Most evenings some sort of entertainment is laid on from local singers to a disco for the teenagers, but its not intrusinve and if you want a quiet drink its easy to have. Or you can purchase a bottle of wine and drink it - with the neighbours - back at base.
There's a shop which has most things that you'll need - like the corner shop its a bit more expensive than the super market, but great if youve forgotten anything.
So - all in all I think I would recommend Eurocamp to just about anyone. My tips for potential new Eurocampers?
1. Take a small box of provisions to save you having to shop when you get there 2. Take sleeping bags to save having to make beds. you can get the kids to sit on the m in the car to save space 3. Make friends with the couriers - they are a mine of useful information 4. Make friends with your neighbours - its good to sit and drink wine with people on the long balmy nights 5. Look at other campsites in the area you are staying - it may give you ideas for next year and some sites are more scenic than others 6. Ask other Eurocampers for their tips on other places to stay.
And - in response to requests for cost details...
I've checked out the costs and the base price for 7 nights in the site in the Dordogne works out at £670 under canvas (£1094 14 nights) and £1050 for a mobile home (£2000 for 14). Obviously if you want extras then you have to pay more - and dont forget traveling costs on top. But as you can see - its pretty good value for money. I'll do a review of motorail soon - so watch out for it if youlike the Orient Express lifestyle!!
There - that'll do for now - one final tip - if youre thinking about going book as early as possible - you might get a discount and youre more likely to get the site and accommodation you want.
Advantages: can be economical, good way of holidaying with children Disadvantages: tents can be very hot in summer, Italian pitches are often not very large
...==WHAT IS IT?==
Eurocamp basically hire out tents and mobiles homes all set up ready for use for you on a variety of camp sites across France, Spain, Germany, Italy and possible a few other places.
They provide not just the tent or mobile but also all the basic equipment you need - a fridge (fridge/freezer in a mobile home), cooking facilities, barbeque where sites permit, plates and cutlery, pots and pans, blankets and you can hire sheets and ... ...April.
==GOOD THINGS==
Eurocamp have a range of games and toys you can borrow at no charge like boules, scrabble, monopoly etc, should you need someithng to wihle away an evening.
Mobile homes give you the chance to self cater which is so much cheaper and nicer with small children than being in hotels and you can sit outside on your decking in the evening and have a quiet drink once the kids are in bed, which is perfect. Animation does give you ...
sadoldbag 18.07.2008
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Eurocamp family holidays
Advantages: Great booking service and nice sites. Disadvantages: -
...in a static caravan through Eurocamp or Keycamp. However once we had bought our own touring caravan we felt that we would like to try taking that abroad instead. I felt a little daunted at the idea of taking the car on the ferry and negotiating my pitches in France with my exceedingly rusty O-level (fail!) French. I then recalled someone mentioning Eurocamp Independent to me once. I looked them up on the internet and ordered their brochure. I had ... ...of weeks. Eurocamp Independent focuses on holidays for people with their own tent, trailer tent, caravan or motor home. Their website is very informative and gives lots of information about the campsites they offer. However although it is possible to book through the website I preferred to read the small-print in the brochure (my husband thinks I am so sad!) and to study it at my leisure. You are still part of Eurocamp on site so you are able to ...
Meggysmum 11.10.2009
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Eurocamp family holidays
Advantages: Great Family Holiday, value for money Disadvantages: None as yet
...have been on three more Eurocamp holidays and all i can say is they have been even better, I will update on those ones shortly.
Sorry a bit long this one but so much to say on it..
I discovered Eurocamp by accident last year while searching on the internet trying to find a good family holiday but at a low affordable price. We are quite a large family comprising of myself, my husband and 4 young very active sons of 10yrs, 8yrs, 7yrs and an 18 month ... ...I then came across the Eurocamp site and just thought i would have a quick browse. I found out that Eurocamp has been going for over 20yrs now and specialise in family camping self drive holidays in Europe, they have 167 different parks to choose from in and around France, Spain, Italy, Adriatic, Croatia, Austria, Switzerland, Germany, Holland. Belgium and Luxembourg and they have two types of accommodation to choose from. Under canvas which is a ...
quizzeyq 10.01.2003 (13.02.2005)
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Eurocamp family holidays
Advantages: The social side of things is brilliant. oh, and the tan. Disadvantages: When it rains and you live in a tent it isn't a very nice experience.
After completing the tiresome first year of my course at university and spending the same length of time in a mundane part time job behind a student bar I decided it was time for a change. This change being spending three and a half months living in a tent with four other people that I had never met before in a foreign country with only a very basic understanding of the language.
Over the summer of 2001 I worked as a Campsite Courier for Eurocamp. ... ...ideal camping experience. There is fixed accommodation on campsites all over Europe, mainly in France, so all the customer has to do is show up. Their customers are mainly British, German, Swiss, Dutch and Polish. The communication thing is easily combated by using broken languages, sign or with the help of some form of translator.
The campsite I was allocated to was absolutely gorgeous. It was peaceful and tranquil. Just what I had wanted. Things ...
pennyborton 14.01.2002
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Eurocamp family holidays
Advantages: A wide variety of sites for all families Disadvantages: Can be quite expensive and crowded at peak times
Eurocamp has been around for nearly 20 years now and it has transformed the idea of a camping holiday into what you would expect from a hotel holiday.
You can take a Eurocamp holiday in France, Italy, Germany, Spain, Holland or Denmark. You can even do four different countries, one year we camped in France, Italy, Switzerland and Germany all in the same holiday.
The holidays tend to be self-drive although we have met people who have flown to their ... ...come across bad service let Eurocamp know.
A vital part for us has been the children’s couriers, they are not available at every site but the brochure tells you which ones have them. They will do activities with the children for two hours every morning and two hours in the afternoon. Again they can be varied but in our experience are usually good and it gives you a bit free time and allows them to meet other children.
Not all the people who ...
martinprice 21.05.2001
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Eurocamp family holidays
