Hi Everyone
Im a newbie here but having read a lot of the posts I am very impressed with the amount of knowledge and help you are all able to provide.
I want to take my family to Brittany in the summer this year, probably July 14th for 7 days and have looked into the Keycamp, Eurotent way of doing it.
I have a rather large family, First there is my loveley fiance, then we have 3 kids, a 17 year old boy and 2 girls aged 12 and 10. I also have a baby due this coming Wednesday (can't wait) so as you will understand, money is going to be just a bit tight.
I have found that going with Keycamps etc is a lot more expensive than going direct. As an example, a tent would cost around £650 for the week to stay at a site called La Grande Metairie in Carnac, but going direct to them would cost just over £515 for a chalet with verander.
What I would like to know is, what are the pitfalls of going direct? One thing that is a problem is the fact that I would have to pay all the money straight away whereas with Keycamps I could do a £50 deposit and pay a bit later. But other than this I can't see a downside.
Also, can anyone give me some direct website addresses for other sites in Brittany which do the Keycamp type of holiday? I have tried Googling this info but always end up with the same old sites, nothing direct. We would like the site to have the usual, pool, stuff for the kids, near a beach etc etc.
I am thinking of booking a ferry direct to Brittany using Speed ferries. Has anyone got any experience of these, and is there any viable alternative?
Also, what are my chances of getting all of our luggage and baby stuff into a Toyota Corolla Verso with a BIG roofbox, assuming I can find a BIG roofbox on Ebay beforehand.
Sorry if some of these questions seem a bit obvious but his is the first time i've ever done this sort of holiday, im usually a package sort of guy.
Thanks very much for any and all help you can give me.
Have a good holiday this year everybody
Wayne Healey
Usually the price with Keycamp, Eurocamp, canvas etc includes the basic Dover/calais crossing. Going direct means you pay the ferry fare on top.
Companies usually provide Childrens reps. Not much use for the 17 year old but the 10 and 12 year olds would probably love it.
Check the extras with going direct. Do they charge supplements for linen, utensils, cleaning etc.
The Holiday reps with Keycamp etc will be on tap to advise especially with an infant in tow and no language barrier.
We have been away many times with Canvas Holiday and to be honest it has always been great.
Enjoy.
Companies usually provide Childrens reps. Not much use for the 17 year old but the 10 and 12 year olds would probably love it.
Check the extras with going direct. Do they charge supplements for linen, utensils, cleaning etc.
The Holiday reps with Keycamp etc will be on tap to advise especially with an infant in tow and no language barrier.
We have been away many times with Canvas Holiday and to be honest it has always been great.
Enjoy.
We went to Des Menhirs at Carnac with Eurocamp last summer and that site rented out its own caravans and chalets which looked good (I have seen some dreadful site-owned caravans over the years). The site is really good for all ages and really close to both the town and the beach (I think La Grande Metairie is a bit out of town). It also has good laundry facilities so you don't need to take loads of clothes. We were away for 3 weeks so we had lots of towels (I couldn't rely on them being washed and dry in a day so had to take 2 sets plus beach towels), which are bulky, plus I took enough nappies for the whole holiday (they're cheaper to buy here plus it guarantees we have room to bring home wine - daughter is now potty trained so will have to find another way of reserving space for wine this year!). I have a Ford Escort and we have a roof box for it but we always take too much stuff with us (hubbie fills any space he can see with books and we always take too many clothes) and yet still have space in both boot and box.
Your deciding factor on whether you can get everything in will be the size of your pram. If you don't need it on the journey, a small umbrella fold buggy fits perfectly at the bottom of a roof box and provided you have a sunshade is perfectly adequate.
Your deciding factor on whether you can get everything in will be the size of your pram. If you don't need it on the journey, a small umbrella fold buggy fits perfectly at the bottom of a roof box and provided you have a sunshade is perfectly adequate.
I have just come across a company called Leisure Direction. It seems incredibly cheap. Does anyone have any veiws on this company and if they have any pitfalls.
Thanks once again.
Wayne
Thanks once again.
Wayne
Hi there
I always book with Keycamp. I have made enquiries with Leisure direction, the prices seem lower, but they never seem to have the accomodation that I want at the time I want it and I don't think that the price is as "fully inclusive" as the prices advertised by Keycamp. Check things like Ferry costs, bed linen, children's clubs etc are included and that there are no hidden extras when you arrive.
I always book with Keycamp. I have made enquiries with Leisure direction, the prices seem lower, but they never seem to have the accomodation that I want at the time I want it and I don't think that the price is as "fully inclusive" as the prices advertised by Keycamp. Check things like Ferry costs, bed linen, children's clubs etc are included and that there are no hidden extras when you arrive.
Hi,
we went to France with Keycamp last summer, and was seriously glad we had a rep on hand....
My 14year old lad hurt his foot in the pool, and due to his 'teenage hygiene' it went nasty.
The rep phoned a doc, took us to the clinic, translated for us, took us to the chemist and sorted out all the E111 stuff. Totally invaluable.
we went to France with Keycamp last summer, and was seriously glad we had a rep on hand....
My 14year old lad hurt his foot in the pool, and due to his 'teenage hygiene' it went nasty.
The rep phoned a doc, took us to the clinic, translated for us, took us to the chemist and sorted out all the E111 stuff. Totally invaluable.
I used to have a little chalet at Le Pouldu on a site called Le Quinquis
Andrew had just taken over when we sold up after 3 years there-on account of our other commitments in Floirda.
Looking at their website
http://www.campingquinquis.com/
They have made quite a few improvements.
I loved it there it was a shame we had to let it go.
There were lovely beaches and plenty of seafood restaurants and the weather was usually good and the locals friendly.
HTH
Andrew had just taken over when we sold up after 3 years there-on account of our other commitments in Floirda.
Looking at their website
http://www.campingquinquis.com/
They have made quite a few improvements.
I loved it there it was a shame we had to let it go.
There were lovely beaches and plenty of seafood restaurants and the weather was usually good and the locals friendly.
HTH
Had 5 holidays with Keycamp and have no complaints whatsoever with their service.
In fact I'm having to make major changes to my booking with them for this year and I have found them extremely helpful and considerate.
Patka
In fact I'm having to make major changes to my booking with them for this year and I have found them extremely helpful and considerate.
Patka
My parents got a quote of €3,500 (!!) from Keycamp last year for 2 weeks in Brittany, staying in a mobile home (July). They booked direct with the ferry company and campsite and saved €1,500. The pitch they had on site was in a much nicer area than where the Keycamp / Canvas / etc. MHs were - this might not apply on all sites.
it's amazing isn't it-how booking direct with an owner can often end up saving you money.
Alison
And it can also cost more. The big companies can offer ferry deals that owners cant match.
I'm making a substantial saving by using Keycamps rather than independant.
Patka
And it can also cost more. The big companies can offer ferry deals that owners cant match.
I'm making a substantial saving by using Keycamps rather than independant.
Patka
We have been going to Le Ranolien campsite in Brittany for many years, first of all with Keycamp and now we book direct with the owners Yelloh! Village. I saw this thread and thought I would show you the difference:
Quote from Keycamp
28/08/07 12 Nights (no ferry)
Grande 2 bedroom accom. £921
Booked direct with Yelloh! Village
28/08/07 14 Nights (no ferry)
2 Bedroom cottage 7 Isles Option
Including all taxes €794 (approx £540)
That is the difference which makes it all worthwhile. I can only personally speak for this site but all of the office staff speak fluent English and all of the staff are very pleasant and helpful, which is why we go back twice a year, year after year. I hope this helps.
John
Quote from Keycamp
28/08/07 12 Nights (no ferry)
Grande 2 bedroom accom. £921
Booked direct with Yelloh! Village
28/08/07 14 Nights (no ferry)
2 Bedroom cottage 7 Isles Option
Including all taxes €794 (approx £540)
That is the difference which makes it all worthwhile. I can only personally speak for this site but all of the office staff speak fluent English and all of the staff are very pleasant and helpful, which is why we go back twice a year, year after year. I hope this helps.
John
Yes, I agree you can book independant cheaper for site accommodation only, but in our situation the ferry & acc works out cheaper as a package than 2 independant parts.
Independant
Ferry - £400 Accommodation - £365 Total £765
Complete package with Keycamps
£550 and that also includes Couples plus insurance both for us and car.
Patka
Independant
Ferry - £400 Accommodation - £365 Total £765
Complete package with Keycamps
£550 and that also includes Couples plus insurance both for us and car.
Patka
The €1500 saving that I mentioned above included the ferry price.
It just shows it pays to do your homework and cost out both options.
I'm very glad your parents made a saving, but I'd be kicking myself if we had gone the independant route on this occasion.
Patka
I'm very glad your parents made a saving, but I'd be kicking myself if we had gone the independant route on this occasion.
Patka
Hi Patka, you have aroused my interest as to whether things are moving back in favour of the big companies again. I am curious as to which site you have booked and what time of year.
John
John
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