* Center Parcs anyone? *

CharleneUK

Thanks all!! We don't actually own bikes (the shame of it, I know!!) It sounds like it'll be great, but I think we would need to save up for this type of holiday, as we wouldn't want to be in a position where we couldn't do ANYTHING we wanted you know?

Will definitely put this on my 'maybe' list for later on this year!!

It's really helpful to hear everyone's different experiences, so thanks again.

Pennylane

Used to go when kids were small and all had a great time. But we all like walking, cycling & swimming so it suited us fine! We used to ring up late and see if there were any cancellations and get a cheap weekend.

We didn't have much spare cash then so used to cook our own food in the villa as much as possible, because even then the food & drinks were expensive.

ladybez

Hope I get this right as its first time post

We have been to both sunparks and Centreparcs (Holland) in Feb. Both are good value but weather is similar to home.
This year we have found a deal to portugal for 5 of us costing under £800 self catering, for the week, flyingout on sunday 10th Feb and back on 17th. this was with Jet2.com0. Only booked it yesterday so still a lot of choice, (And no I don't work for them am employed by NHS)
Hope you find something:T

BillScarab

We've been to all of the UK Center Parcs anexcpet Sherwood and really enjoyed them. But we don't do the activiites excpet the spa. The children are happy cycling and spending time in the pool.

However last year we went ot Holland and we off again at half term. It's costing £420 in a deluxe villa for eight people including bike hire. The equivalent in the UK over half term would be about £1100 just for the Villa. The ferry is £40 per car so it's costing £500 plus fuel. Eating out is cheaper as are the activites at the continental ones. I don't honestly think we'll go to the UK ones again while the choldren are at school, it's just so much cheaper abroad and more exciting for the children being in a foreign country.

wendyl1967

BillScarab wrote: »

However last year we went ot Holland and we off again at half term. It's costing £420 in a deluxe villa for eight people including bike hire. The equivalent in the UK over half term would be about £1100 just for the Villa. The ferry is £40 per car so it's costing £500 plus fuel. Eating out is cheaper as are the activites at the continental ones. I don't honestly think we'll go to the UK ones again while the choldren are at school, it's just so much cheaper abroad and more exciting for the children being in a foreign country.

We have never thought of trying the center parcs abroad after about 20 years in the UK! Are the rapids the same? Because that is the best bit for my two boys. Which one do you go to.

I just checked the prices and it is a lot cheaper but as we live up north it would put hours on the journey so we will have to think about that.

Dinah93

The Centre Parks style places on the continent, does anyone know if the classes are held in english? Thanks

ladybez

Certainly the classes in Holland are held in or translated into English, my brood coped without any problem, including the eldest who undertook a 3 hour scuba diving course.

BillScarab

Dinah93 wrote: »

The Centre Parks style places on the continent, does anyone know if the classes are held in english? Thanks

the ones on the continent ARE Center Parcs, the company started in Holland years ago. the continental ones and hte UK ones are now seperate companies though even though they have the same name and similar branding. I don't know about the classes etc. but everyone seems to speak english so it shouldn't be an issue.

We went to De Kempervennen last year as it is one of the close ones, this year we are going to Het Heijerbos which is about 40 mins further away. The rapids at De Kempervenned were very similar to the UK, in fact the whole set up is very similar although I think there were slightly fewer restaurants but still enough for four nights. I think each one on the continent is suppose dto have some sort of speciality. For example De Kempervennen has an indoor ski slope although we didn't use it.

the website is pretty good and they give good discounts for early booking and if you have children.

richoneday

Rachie_B wrote: »

thats a fab price !! :T

what accomodation would you recommend / do you stay in ?

I've tried getting a quote online but no price shows up in the price column ? do you have to ring up ?

If you click on http://www.sunparks.be/en/ and go through the booking process you have to put in dates and then say confirm but this is only to confirm your dates not to pay and then it will give you prices.

If you can go next week it's 95 EUROS what a bargain! I've been before and they are more basic than Center Parcs but at that price it's cheaper than paying for the heating at home!!! :j Have a look on the special offers.

Rachie_B

richoneday wrote: »

If you click on http://www.sunparks.be/en/ and go through the booking process you have to put in dates and then say confirm but this is only to confirm your dates not to pay and then it will give you prices.

If you can go next week it's 95 EUROS what a bargain! I've been before and they are more basic than Center Parcs but at that price it's cheaper than paying for the heating at home!!! :j Have a look on the special offers.

thanks ! :beer: