Flying families
MORE AND MORE IRISH FAMILIES ARE TRAVELLING ABROAD FOR A FUN, INEXPENSIVE ADVENTURE. FROM CAMPING IN FRANCE TO SWIMMING IN SPAIN, WE SPEAK TO TRAVEL EXPERTS ON THE BEST OPTIONS FOR YOUR FAMILY THIS YEAR
From camping in France to swimming in Spain, we speak to travel experts on the best options for your family this year
If you have ever wanted to take the kids on a big family adventure but the price tag put you off, there are other options you can choose which may suit your budget. With serene locations, a stressfree environment and daily activities, a camping holiday is a perfect option for those who want to enjoy a trip away.
“Camping in France means quality time with the family,” says Thys Jaspers, Manager of Camping Village de la Guyonnière in Vendée in the west of France. “It’s the time you take to reconnect with yourself and the ones you love.”
Camping Village de la Guyonnière has been in business for over 25 years. In that time, the staff has seen more and more Irish guests arriving at the site each year. But what is the appeal of camping in France to so many Irish people?
“I believe our Irish guests appreciate the spacious setting of the campsite. We are in a very convenient location between the coastal harbours and sandy beaches of Les Sables d’Olonne and Saint Gilles Croix de Vie. The Vendée and Côte d’Azur, known for their beautiful beaches and coastlines, are not too far away from the site which is very appealing.”
At Camping Village de la Guyonnière, you can come with your own caravan or tent, or you can rent their available mobile homes, glamping accommodation or chalets. It is an inexpensive option for staying in such a beautiful area. FUN ACTIVITIES With a large swimming pool on-site, a fishing lake, woodlands and beaches nearby, both adults and children can have a packed schedule every day. These are not only fun excursions in a different country and culture, but also won’t break the bank.
“The absolute must-dos, when staying at the site, are visiting the beautiful beaches nearby and the islands, Yeu and Noirmoutier. Yeu is only accessible by boat and has picturesque towns and harbours, and a very wild coastline with steep cliffs. My tip would be to go for a day, hire a bike and do a tour of the island.”
For families of all ages, Puy du Fou theme park is near the site in Les Epesses. The park is the second most popular theme park in France only after Disneyland Paris. Grand Defi adventure park is also close-by which includes ziplines and tree climbing for the adventurous sort.
“Lac du Jaunay is a lake which is five minutes away from the site. It is perfect for a morning or afternoon walk with the family. My personal favourite thing to do is to go for a run around the lake. There is always another trail to follow where you have never gone before, and the scenery is just magical.”
Some people may think camping is uncomfortable or a lot of work, but Thys says that couldn’t be further from the truth at a specialised camping site like the 5-Star Camping Village de la Guyonnière.
“We offer spacious pitches, modern and fully equipped accommodation, a fully heated waterpark, animations for adults and children all day and in the evening, a top restaurant, shop, a pub and even a wellness centre. It is a fun trip for all.” Visit www.camping-guyonniere.com
Sun, sea and sand
According to the ITAA, Spain is the number one destination for Irish people. This is due to proximity, the beautiful surroundings, number of flights, and the major factor, the low cost. Many families in particular travel to Spain as their main vacation spot.
“More than two million Irish people visited Spain last year,” says Teresa Gancedo, Managing Director of the Spanish Tourism Office. “Our country has a lot to offer for all types of travellers.
“What is particularly alluring about our country is our breathtaking landscapes and the cultural heritage of the people. The variety of festivals, traditions and gastronomy in all of our regions is
beyond anywhere else.” FAMILY FUN There are an incredible amount of things to do in Spain for families that won’t cost an arm and a leg. For those thinking of travelling to Spain in 2019, Teresa says to consider the north of Spain for a different family holiday this year. “The flights from Dublin to Santander have been extended to all year round, and the ferry route from Cork to Santander makes this option more accessible to people in Munster. You can visit the wildlife park in Cabárceno (11km outside Santander city) and take part in the surfing activities in the surrounding areas.
“Many Irish people will travel to Lanzarote this year, and I encourage them to visit the volcanic installations of Cesar Manrique. These are unusual uses of the underground lava tubes made into exhibition areas. Children will love to spot the albino crabs in the cave pool in the magical Jameos del Agua! While in Lanzarote, a charming day trip is a boat excursion to the sparsely populated island of La Graciosa. Families with children can have a great day on board. They can stop off to have a swim and a snorkel after a wander around the tiny island. Some boats even offer a ‘paella on-board’ option!”
For sea-loving families, the recently opened aquarium, Poema del Mar (an Ode to the Sea) is in Gran Canaria’s capital, Las Palmas. It has three different zones replicating three different parts of the world’s oceans. Stingrays and sharks are to be seen as well as turtles and exotic fish and is great to see all year round.
“For a holiday outside the summer season, you should have a look at Sierra Nevada in Granada. This is a family friendly ski resort in the winter with beginners’ options for skiing. During the winter you can enjoy the ski resort, and then drive 40 minutes away to the coast of the Costa Tropical. The locals are very proud of the fact that you can ski in the morning and sunbathe on the beach all in the same day!”
Teresa would advise people travelling to Spain with children to “use sunscreen and hats and avoid activities during the middle of the day in summer. Always drink plenty of water and book in good time. There are so many options for families in Spain. That is why, together with the character of the people, Spain will probably continue to be the top travel destination for Irish holidays.” At Holiday World Show check out Camping Village de la Guyonniere on stand Q4/C5 and the Spanish Tourism Office on stand L9/M11 and F3/G3