Category: Camping

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Camping

Vintage Camping in Dorset

Head to the Dorset countryside for a family break in the beautiful Meadowview campsite.

Why go?

Tucked away on Meadowview campsite in Horton in Wimborne, on the borders of the New Forest, sit the affectionately-named chrome airstreams Gloria, Betsy, Peggy and Dee Dee, run by Happy Days Retro Vacations.

Owners Kevin and Jenni Armstrong set up the business in 2010 after deciding to leave the London rat race with their two young children. Their four American airstreams built in the 50s and 70s and a smaller caravan, Betsie, now occupy an area of the 20-acre campsite.

Who’s it good for? Families who love camping in the UK but are looking for something a little more quirky than the regular campsite. Ages 3-7 will love the freedom to run around and play in the campsite without too much supervision, and 8-12 year-olds will love the cool accommodation.

Activities

Dorset is a beautiful part of the south coast which has miles of sandy beaches as well as country hideaways, farms and historical sites to take the kids to. Plus, they’ll  love staying in these retro, funky campers.

After a comfortable night’s sleep children can run free like a happy pack released into the wild, charging around the field, cycling down the grassy slopes and inventing games in the vast surrounds. The campsite has no playground but the fields and tree-lined lake area make a good source of day-time fun.

The beach: If it’s beach you’re after, head to the famous shoreline of Sandbanks 30 minutes drive away, where you can spend the afternoon paddling, playing beach games and sunbathing, as well as attempting to guess which millionaire pads Jamie and Harry Redknapp own.

Watersports: For older children, The Watersports Academy holds kitesurfing, windsurfing, and wakeboard courses in Sandbanks bay, as well as sailing lessons – and it also runs a cool kids club. Once you’ve worked up the appetite, enjoy fish and chips from the Sandbanks Beach Café, an ideal spot to people-watch over lunch.

Dorset sites: For nature-lovers, you can also head to the nearby Moors Valley Country Park where the woodland trails and adventure playgrounds will keep the whole family entertained and active. Plus, there’s the historic Corfe Castle, cathedral city of Salisbury, and Paultons Park, home of the infamous Peppa Pig World, to visit. And that’s the beauty of the Happy Days’ location: the surrounding area is packed with child-friendly activities and places to explore.

Back at the campsite in the evening, you can enjoy a barbecue on the grounds – campsite perfection achieved!

The lowdown

Price: A week’s stay in Dee Dee (sleeps 4) costs £660 in high season. A week’s stay in a larger airstream (sleeps 5) costs £690 in high season. Weekend stays or midweek stays are also available.

More info: happydaysrv.co.uk

SHOP: Visit shop.familytraveller.com for all your family holiday travel needs and fun garden games.

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Camping

Vintage Camping, Isle of Wight

Camp vintage-style in an Airstream caravan – kids can run wild in safety while mum and dad relax in delightful retro surroundings.

Why go?

Helen and Frazer Cunningham’s 13 vintage US Airstream trailers are permanently sited in a field near Ryde on the Isle of Wight, and attract a loyal band of happy campers who return year after year to enjoy a blast of caravanning nostalgia. The trailers have been restored, not refurbished, so much of the original Formica detailing and wood panelling remain. Added to these are additional retro touches: a bottle of Babycham greets you on arrival, as well as vintage crochet blankets and board games.

Activities

The Airstreams are positioned around the perimeter of the field giving children free range to make new friends, eat outdoors (barbecues are sparked up nightly) and muck about without constant supervision.

Accommodation

The four Overlander Airstreams are best for families: 26 feet long they sleep four people (one fold-out bed and two singles). Why not get several families together, book two or three Airstreams and have your own mini festival? Vintage Vacations also operates four family-friendly idiosyncratic properties dotted around the island including The Shack, located near Cowes in a cluster of chalets, cabins and railway carriages yards from the beach; and The Scout Hall, in Chale, a recently-restored building on the south coast of the island.

The lowdown

US Airstream trailers sleep four people; prices start at £460 for seven nights. How to get there: You can get to the Isle of Wight on various ferries from Southampton, Southsea, Lymington and Portsmouth, which arrive at various locations across the island. To get straight to Ryde, you can get a passenger-only ferry. If you’re taking the car, get a car ferry and drive to Hazelgrove Farm, Ryde, PO33 4BD. Hovertravel (01983 811 000) run a passenger only ferry from Southsea to Ryde. Wightlink (0871 376 10 00) run a car ferry from Lymington to Yarmouth and Portsmouth to Fishbourne, and a passenger only ferry from Portsmouth to Ryde. Red Funnel ferries (0845 330 88 89) run a passenger only ferry from Southampton to Cowes and a car ferry from Southampton to East Cowes. Travel time: Driving from London to one of the ferry ports takes between 1 hour and 30 minutes and 2 hours. Ferry trips take between 20 minutes and 1 hour. Whichever way you decide to travel, the Isle of Wight is only 22 miles long – so it won’t take you long to get to your destination from the ferries.

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Adventure Camping Middle East News Story

Experience a Stay in Dubai’s Desert

Family travel specialist tour operator Tots Too is launching a desert camp experience in Dubai called Bedouin Oasis.

Situated in one of the most beautiful desert settings in the UAE, less than an hour’s drive from central Dubai, the camp will offer families an opportunity to live out in the desert in one of 50 beautifully furnished bell tents, complete with two pools.

ACTIVITIES

Daily activities include desert jeep safaris with a specialist guide, dune buggying, nature walks, camel trekking and falconry. There will also be delicious Arabic meals under the stars.

 

 

THE LOWDOWN

Tots Too offers a three-night stay at Bedouin Oasis from £2,950 per family of two adults and two children under 12, including flights, private transfers and full-board accommodation, excluding drinks.

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Africa Camping News Story

Family Holiday Camp to Reopen in Tunisia in May 2015

You might not have heard of German holiday provider Robinson – but you soon will. Their stylish holiday camps offer everything your family needs to love your time together…

SAY HELLO TO NEW-LOOK HOLIDAY CAMPS

If you’re dreaming of an activity-packed holiday that will keep everyone from your youngest tot to your stroppy teen happy (while you relax by the pool), then a Robinson Club holiday could have the answer.

German holiday provider Robinson offer camp-style getaways that includes a staggering array of activities and clubs for both parents and kids. Their holidays are designed to let everyone pursue their own interests, making precious family time even more enjoyable. Exciting and age-appropriate itineraries await the youngest guests in the ROBY CLUB, while teens will be in their element in the ROBS programme, where they’ll make friends and enjoy sports, creative workshops and adventure excursions.

With the children kept busy, parents can indulge in some well deserved me-time – whether that means relaxing on the beach, enjoying the spa or trying your hand at the variety of sports, watersports and group fitness classes on offer.

HAVE YOU TRIED TUNISIA YET?

In May 2015 the newly refurbished Robinson club Djerba Bahia in Tunisia is opening its doors to guests. The resort is located on the outskirts of Midoun, a small town in the northeast of the Tunisian island of Djerba and offers one of Robinson’s largest pool complexes.

If you’ve left it a little late to book your family getaway this Easter then don’t panic, as the Robinson Club Pamfilya in Turkey still has capacity, but hurry!

PRICE

Prices for one week at Robinson Club Djerba Bahiya with all-inclusive “made by Robinson” start at £577 per person, including childcare for youngsters aged three or above, a sports and entertainment programme and flights.

Prices for a one-week Robinson Cruise with full board plus start at £2026, including port fees and flights. Prices for children between the ages of seven and 14 start at £1375.

Find out more and book: robinson.com

Categories
Camping News Story North America

Circus Camp in Sarasota

With the school year beginning to wind down and the children becoming more and more antsy by the minute, a week or two of clowning around is just what they need this summer. Sarasota, Florida is considered the Circus Capital of the World and for only about £165 per child per week, children can practice real circus skills such as juggling and low wire at Circus Summer Camp at the Circus Arts Conservatory.

Interested in trying it yourself? In nearby Venice, Florida, anyone over the age of five can learn the art of the flying trapeze in classes of up to two hours starting from about £24 per person at Tito Gaona’s Flying Trapeze Park.

Alternatively, take a simple, calming break in a beach town; on 1 May, treat the family to a seven-night stay at the Sandcastle Resort at Lido Beach from just £1,430 per person. This package includes return flights from London Gatwick to Tampa and economy car hire.

To book: Visit circusarts.org/circus-summer-camp/ for the circus camp.

Visit americaasyoulikeit.com for information and booking for the hotel package.

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Adventure Camping North America Sponsored Post

Family Holidays in Canada

Bike in Dublin

Canadian Rockies

From the jaw-dropping scenery of the Canadian Rockies and Niagara Falls to the world-class family-friendly hotels, Canada is the perfect choice for a fun-loving family. Perfect for kids and parents with an adventurous spirit and a love for the great outdoors, Canada offers incredible wildlife, natural wonders and superb cities – perfect for quality time with the ones you love.

With flight times as short as seven hours, Canada has never been more accessible with airlines providing fantastic inflight entertainment and thoughtful touches for families. Once you’ve arrived you’ll be treated to a destination that boasts comfortable modern amenities alongside jaw-dropping sights. You can look forward to the holiday of a lifetime with Canadian Sky.

THINGS TO DO – WILDLIFE, ADVENTURE AND CULTURE

Canada is a natural playground with outstanding national parks and awe-inspiring countryside. Go in search of majestic black bears in the wilderness or head out in a kayak on one of Canada’s many pristine lakes – exploring the great outdoors is a great way to bring your family together for memories that will last a lifetime.

And there is so much more to this wonderful country than the wildlife. Whether your family are always looking for their next adrenaline fix or are more interested in the fascinating cultural arts scene and heritage, Canada offers a broad variety of delights to suit every taste.

The cosmopolitan Edmonton is home to the enormous West Edmonton Mall – the largest shopping and entertainment complex in North America – as well as a huge range of museums and galleries to fascinate kids of all ages.

In Whistler you can experience ice skating all year round while in the comparable Jasper you’ll find the jaw-dropping Glacier Skywalk – a glass walkway leaning out over the Canadian Rockies featuring some of the most uniquely stunning views imaginable. Take a boat trip out on to Lake Louise for icy panoramas or check out some of Toronto’s many galleries, museums and shops.

 

FAMILY-FRIENDLY ITINERARIES

Canadian Sky have handpicked family-friendly tours with itineraries that have been perfectly designed for families. Giving you the chance to see some of Canada’s most exciting destinations including the Canadian Rockies, beautiful Jasper and fascinating Calgary.

The itineraries are careful to avoid very long drives and allow you plenty of time in each location so you really get the time to see the best of Canada. The kids will have time to explore and play between car journeys while still getting to see loads of amazing places. You’ll also stay in hotels with spacious family rooms – exactly what you need after a long day’s adventure is over.

The tours include something for children of every age, whether that’s scenic exploration for older teenagers able to appreciate the breathtaking beauty of Canada or visiting Alberta’s fun-filled Jurassic Forest which will educate and enthral younger children as they learn about dinosaurs and other prehistoric creatures.

CLICK HERE TO VIEW ALL OUR FAMILY FRIENDLY TOURS

 

GETTING AROUND

Good news! The Canadians drive on the left plus the roads are some of the most comfortable and best maintained in the world so you’ll have peace of mind as you embark some of the most unforgettable scenic drives of your life.

All family-friendly tours include SUVs with plenty of space for families; they’re great at ensuring you have the right vehicle for the job. Your car will be an automatic – don’t worry if you’ve never driven one before, it’s actually much easier than adapting to a manual and the simplicity of driving an automatic means you’ll have more relaxed drives and more time to enjoy the beautiful scenery.

If you would prefer a unique and different way of travelling, you could consider hiring a motorhome – Canada Sky offer a range of packages with campervans large enough to happily accommodate families.

MORE INFORMATION ON HIRING A MOTORHOME

 

WEATHER

One of the reasons that Canada is such a fantastic destination to go for families is that the best time to go coincides with the school summer holidays. The ideal time to visit Canada is between the months of June and September when the weather is warmer and the days are longer. This gives you more time to see the country and gives you a greater variety of things to do.

WANT EXPERT ADVICE?

Booking a holiday with Canadian Sky means you’re getting all the advice and experience of Canada experts who have been designing incredible holidays to this country for many years. Our wealth of knowledge means we can help you pick out the holiday that’s best suited to you and your children, providing a variety of alternatives until you find that trip to Canada you’ve always dreamed of.

The staff are all Canada specialists who have travelled to the country many times – they know all the best places to see and are happy to offer tips!

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