Our Eurocamp Holiday
It’s that time of year when so many people move on from the post Christmas slump and focus their attention on something to look forward to – a family holiday in the sunshine! As such we’re sharing Emma and James’s story of holidaying at Eurocamp with their little girl Laila. And don’t forget, Gymboree Play & Music members get an extra 5% off at Eurocamp!
When Emma and partner James began planning their first family holiday abroad with their three-year-old daughter Laila, there was one priority that trumped the rest: “We wanted to be in control,” Emma says. “For us, as a family, we didn’t want to compromise on anything that would spoil our first precious holiday memories.”
All of which meant that a holiday where travel plans could be organised around their toddler’s nap times, accommodation which gave the family a safe and comfortable base, and an environment designed with children’s safe exploration in mind were top of the must-haves list.
“We loved the way Eurocamp lets you choose from flight, car, ferry or train,” Emma says, explaining how the family plumped for an overnight ferry crossing – with cabin – to the Netherlands for their first foray.
“It meant that Laila could have a good night’s sleep on the outbound journey and arrive at the holiday parc fresh and ready for a holiday,” Emma says.
“The ferry crossing was lots of fun, too,” Emma adds. “There was a brilliant children’s entertainer, a soft play area and kiddies cinema so the holiday started as soon as we set sail.”
But it was when the family arrived at their first of two Netherlands-based parcs that the fun really began.
“We chose the Netherlands because we didn’t want the scorching heat of Southern Europe, and we’d read that it was a really family-friendly country,” says Emma. “We really couldn’t have picked a better spot, and I’d really recommend it to families with very young kids.”
Their first choice of parc, TerSpegelt is a friendly parc in the heart of the Netherlands countryside, complete with a beach-fringed lake and toddlers’ play areas aplenty.
“Being surrounded by families and making friends from the get-go meant that we were instantly reassured we’d made the right choice,” Emma says. “On our first day we were having lunch on our private decking and a family arrived, ready to settle into their holiday home next door. Immediately, Laila was waving and saying hello to their kids. It was that kind of place.”
Travelling with grandparents meant that the entire family could share those precious first times – “We brought Laila’s scooter, and she had a blast, whizzing around the parc’s traffic-free paths.”
Mindful of the changeable northern European weather at the start and end of the season, the parc even had its own huge indoor aquatic complex with a sandy beach and pirate’s ship: “although, the weather was glorious when we were there,” Emma says.
But it was at their next parc, the peaceful coastal gem of Koningshof alongside the terrific beaches of the North Sea, where the family really were able to fill their days with adventure: “Scheveningen beach was fantastic,” Emma says. “All along the coast we’d find play areas, soft sands, lovely beachside cafes and pretty towns to explore.”
Busy days would, inevitably, lead to snoozy evenings: “It was the little touches, like blackout blinds and bed rails in Laila’s bedroom, that made our accommodation so cosy and peaceful: exactly the kind of place you want to unwind in at the end of the day,” Emma says.
Unwinding, for Emma’s family, meant gathering together on the decking, enjoying a barbequed meal and glass of wine with Emma’s parents, and planning the next day’s adventures.
“Having that outdoor space of your own, instead of the tiny balcony of a hotel, perched high above the greenery and the ambience of your location made such a difference. It felt like we had our very own slice of nature all to ourselves,” Emma says, “with Laila happily sleeping right by us.”
It was on such an evening that Emma and James began to think about next year’s holiday: when Laila would be four, and ready to take a bigger bite out of a European summer excursion.
“We opted to fly this time, as scheduling nap times wasn’t such a dealbreaker, and we could be more flexible with journey times” says Emma, explaining why, for the now four-year-old Laila, a Venetian Riviera adventure awaited. “It was super-exciting seeing Laila’s reaction to her first flight!”
“We’d been told by friends how fabulous Italians are with young children,” Emma says, “and they were so right. The accommodation, the setting, the restaurants, everything was completely set up to make sure toddlers were not just left out, but were made to feel as important, and welcome as everyone else.”
Marina de Venezia, Emma’s family’s chosen parc, came with a terrific aquatic centre, and Leo’s Park, featuring bumper boats, mini golf and toddler activities galore. “All of this was right alongside a terrific beach,” Emma says. “And we were spoiled for choice when it came to eating options.”
“We really loved how this kind of holiday allowed us to reconnect as a family, and capture all those magical moments of Laila’s development: all the little confidence-boosting moments that maybe we’d have missed back home,” Emma says. “You live all these moments together with her, that she’d otherwise have at pre-school or nursery in the UK.”
A typical seaside resort, with all the trimmings, Marina de Venezia offered children’s activities, tonnes of sports facilities for mum and dad, and sizzling entertainment every evening.
“We loved seeing Laila dance in the disco,” Emma says. “She grew in confidence so much while we were there.”
Looking back on their two Eurocamp holidays to date, Emma can sum up what made Eurocamp such a successful choice in one word: its informality.
“When you’re travelling with a toddler, structure is so important,” says Emma, explaining that it has to be the structure that works for you – not, as is so often the case, the travel company.
“You need a holiday that enables you to do what you want to do, when you want to do it. Not to be told when meal times are, or that there’s only one travel option to choose from.”
We wanted to be part of the action, but also wanted a special, private space to retire to in the evening. And we wanted Laila to feel safe, make new friends and come home with incredible memories,” Emme says. “We got all of that, and so much more besides.”
With summer 2024 on the horizon, Emma is sure of one thing: “Laila’s already talking about doing it all again,” she says. “So, I think it’s time to start researching where holiday number three is going to be. I have a feeling it could feature Disneyland Paris, I’ve noticed a couple of Eurocamp parcs within an easy drive….”
