Val, mine are absolutely NOT bothered about campsites, organised activities, or anything like that, and their idea of hell would be being forced to go to a teens 'club' or something on holiday, and for many reasons a gite is absolutely the best reason for us, with our own pool. I have no qualms about that decision for us as a family this year.
Will check out the accrobranche things, sounds like a good idea.
Sarlat for a mooch will be on the list.
Castelnaud we really liked last time, they had a sort of theatrical comedy thing on, all in French, but very slap-stick and the kids all laughed like drains despite not understanding a word.
Probably won't go swimming anywhere public, but will probably hire canoes.
Thanks all for the tips, keep them coming!
Atko, we've dipped in and out of France since that fateful wet Loire trip. We've done A trip to Europe each year, but not always summers. Where will you go next year?!
Somebody has alreay mentioned the gardens at Marqueyssac - they have wonderful views over the river and the ice-cream is something special.
The big Le Clerc at Sarlat on the D704 out to the SE usually has some bulk buy bargains in summer - we got 12 bottles of sparlkling Saumur at under 3 euro a bottle a few years ago.
There's a Wednesday evening dinner market in Belves. You take plates/cutlery etc and buy yer tea from a variety of stalls. Music as well. One of our highlights.
Don't forget to leave a review of the French and other European campsites you have visited!
Nice to hear from you and hope you and family are well. Yes, I remember that trip in Loire very well which wasn't easy with young kids at the time.
Anyway, as said I think the family is just sick of France, it's a beautiful country and it's served us very well over the year. Like you, as the kids have got older their expectations of travel have got higher, and the willingness to camp less. As time goes by, you realise the children at the campsites getting younger!.
We now accept that we will have to fly somewhere and stay in a self contained apartment. We are heading off to Sorrento, Italy in October, lots to do and see for whole family.
We have been on some city breaks with kids which they have really enjoyed i.e. Rome, Amsterdam etc. The plan over next few years if to have a city break, week somewhere in Europe and a 2 week holiday somewhere further afield.
Finally, it's crept up on us but as the oldest is 15, I've decided we need to make the most of our holidays as a family, before she decides she no longer wants to go with us.
Meant to say I see you've been to OZ and intend going again. Do you take whole family as when we went ot was just the two of us for a month with no kids. It's a long way!
We went en masse, all five of us. And we're off again at Easter. Did 3 weeks last summer, with four days in Dubai on the way back, this time it's a two week flying visit, there and back within the school holidays. We have family in Melbourne. Last time we stayed with them, this time we have booked with Airbnb. It is indeed a truly spectacular distance, but actually in reality it takes us longer to get to the South of France, leaving one morning, getting to the gite the following evening.
I suspect we'll only have another year or two of our eldest travelling with us, they are now 16.5. Making the most of having all my babies still with us!
------------- Amanda
Don't forget to leave a review of the French and other European campsites you have visited!
Quote: Originally posted by Kelper on 23/6/2016
Just wait .... they'll come back to join you for a week or two ... as our twenty year old has done for the past two years ...
Very true! Year before last our two had a week each with us with their families, last year was just one of them and the other one is with for two weeks this year!
Quote: Originally posted by Kelper on 23/6/2016
Just wait .... they'll come back to join you for a week or two ... as our twenty year old has done for the past two years ...
And we've got both my sons staying with us this year! They're now thirty-five and thirty! Last time each came with us was when they were eighteen and we were in the Ardeche. Fortunately this time they aren't filling up the car with their friends, wearing smelly trainers and eating like horses. They're travelling down to us under their own steam, and bringing their partners with them!
Quote: Originally posted by unseen on 22/6/2016
We tried to go to Gouffre de Padirac one year, arrived relatively early and the queue was ridiculous (and didn't seem to be moving quickly). Has anyone ever booked online? Do you just walk past the queue if you do?
Thanks and keep up the good ideas... Who knew my kids like steam trains *ahem* well I'm sure they will....
Hope you walk past as we have booked and paid for tickets online including a time. Easy to do.
A day of all things motorhome and campervan. The show is held both in the main indoor arena and across the grounds. Catering, hot drinks and food options are available. Easy access to the site and free parking included. Win one of five pairs of day tickets
Topic: Things to do Dordogne -top tips!
