Center Parcs in Europe

[chopper602]

Last year, October ½ term I booked a mid week break at Centre Parcs (sometimes called SunParks) next to Zandvoort in Holland. For half the price of the same place in England we had a great time (day out in Amsterdam etc) and the kids enjoyed it. This year I've taken the plunge and done something similar and booked the Centre Parcs, Eifel in Germany, about 20 mins from the Nürburgring. Has anyone been to this one? Is it Ok?

On a similar note, last year we stayed overnight (as we live in the NE of England - 330 miles to Dover) in Bruge, lovely Novatel hotel near the centre of town. I'm looking to break our journey this time, so was thinking of stopping overnight in Brussels or Maastricht - any advice ?

(yes I could, and have driven to the 'ring in one day, but don't want to waste one of our days at the parc by driving)

--
Tim
Teesside

[chopper602]

No one bin then . . . .

[Mattt]

I stayed in one many years ago, looking at a map I think it was Port Zelande - I renamed it Soviet Centre Parks, as it was a bit grim in terms of appearance!

[shirt]

haven't been but i'd be interested in seeing pics of the interiors etc. i read something earlier this year that the european model allows you to buy/leaseback the chalets.

for your journey, can i ask why the overnight ferry isn't in the running? i would have hoped it's cost/time comparable but far less hassle than driving all the way to dover.

[chopper602]

shirt said:

for your journey, can i ask why the overnight ferry isn't in the running? i would have hoped it's cost/time comparable but far less hassle than driving all the way to dover.

Ferry (or tunnel) is down to cost. Almost £500 for the Hull or Newcastle ferry to Holland or Zeebrugge, so choosing that would bring the cost of the break back to more than staying in a Centre Parcs place in the UK. I'm using Tesco clubcard vouchers for the tunnel, so in effect it is free.

[shirt]

how much!? jeez. i only ever used to use it for the 3day weekend thing, that was £35 if two people went.

[chopper602]

Well, factor in the car and you now HAVE to take a cabin and it all adds up !

[zbc]

Maastricht is a pretty little city and if you're only staying one night I'd recommend there rather than Brussels. You'll also find almost everyone able to speak a reasonable level of English which is less the case in Brussels. Maastricht might be a little more expensive than Brussels due to it's size and you might quickly tire of things to do but like I said if it's only a stopover it's excellent.

[magpies]

Hi we stayed in that SunPark ...a little run down but plenty for kids. Take some bikes if you can...lots of good walks and tracks. Not much else close unless you drive. Nurburgring was supperb in our Freelander - just keep right and an eye on your mirrors. Mosel Valley worth a run down and into Trier - we went for the WRC in August. Drove Teesside to Dover and used NorfolkLine (cheapest and good) then drove via Bruge/Brussels Spa. Take a phrase book if you can't read German as the menus don't usually have English on them.
European CenterParcs and SunParks are much cheaper than the English versions.

[chopper602]

magpies said:

Hi we stayed in that SunPark ...a little run down but plenty for kids. Take some bikes if you can...lots of good walks and tracks. Not much else close unless you drive. Nurburgring was supperb in our Freelander - just keep right and an eye on your mirrors. Mosel Valley worth a run down and into Trier - we went for the WRC in August. Drove Teesside to Dover and used NorfolkLine (cheapest and good) then drove via Bruge/Brussels Spa. Take a phrase book if you can't read German as the menus don't usually have English on them.
European CenterParcs and SunParks are much cheaper than the English versions.

Don't worry about Nürburgring, I've been four times already ! Thought about taking bikes, but decided against it, we'll just do some walks instead. Think we've decided to stop over in Belgium, probably Ghent, then amble over to Germany on the Monday morning.
Yes, Koblenz, Mosel and stuff for a couple of days out. My German although patchy is not too bad . . .

[chopper602]

Just thought I'd reply to my own thread with some feedback on the Center Parc - it was brilliant ! Clean, nice and warm centrally heated, nice park staff, happy hour in the 'Irish' themed bar. Weather was also excellent.

For the price, it was worth the 1500 mile round trip (Mon-Fri £360 at UK ½ term)

[magpies]

which one did you stay in?

[chopper602]

383 - a six bed 'Comfort' villa (although there was only four of us, the kids could have their own bedrooms)

[magpies]

I'm looking to got the 'Domaine des 3 Forets' near Strasbourg - next year with my wife and son (to also go to the St Ursanne European Hillclimb Championship round - make a change from watching rallies).
The park is less than 2 years old so should be good.