Crystal Holidays

Specialist Reports Just For Families With Specialist Childcare Operators Offering Childcare Crystal Holidays 

	Crystal Holidays
King's Place, Wood Street, Kingston, Surrey, KT1 1JY			MAP
tel: (0870) 402 0293

A dedicated family brochure covers all the holidays suitable for families, throughout the year including winter sports holidays in Europe and North America; summer active holidays with mountain biking, raft, climbing, canyoning and more from the age of 4; summer explorer to lakes and mountains and coastal regions; summer fun, with self-catering of various types, in coastal areas; plus theme park trips and city short breaks to New York or Rome.
For details of the winter programme, see the Skiing report. The following details summer options.

Where

Kaprun and Zell am See in Austria. Val di Fassa in Italy, and Agde in Languedoc and Domaine de Beaumont in France. In addition to these, which are run by Crystal, there are childcare facilities at other resorts run locally.

Style

Varies, depending on the resort. At Domaine de Beaumont each villa has its own garden but central facilities include two swimming pools. At other resorts with Crystal childcare the accommodation is in three-star/four diamond hotels. There are also luxury mobile homes at one French resort.

Care Offered

The Pepi Penguin club is run at Domaine de Beaumont by a dedicated team of English speaking, qualified nannies. Elsewhere the clubs are run by experienced Crystal club leaders.
In Austria the clubs are for 5-10 years and operate four days a week 9am to noon and 2-5pm with lunchtime supervision available locally. The clubs are in a dedicated club room with indoor toys and games. Outdoor activities such as mini-golf and picnics are also included.
In Italy the club is for 5-10 years and operates four days a week 9am to 5pm, in a dedicated room with toys and games. Outdoor activities include treasure hunts and adventure walks. Lunch and lunchtime supervision is included.
At Domaine de Beaumont there is care for children 6 month to 10 years six days a week.

Other Features for Families

Both accommodation and resorts have been chosen for suitability for families, including family rooms (almost all have rooms for four or more) baby and infant facilities, including cots, bottle warmers, baby sitting, high chairs, and the resorts are graded as Tots - best for preschoolers, Kids, for 5- 12 years, and Teens, for 13-plus.

Cost of Care

At Domaine de Beaumont three half days £65, six full days £160, with a supplement of £30 per week for children 6 to 24 months. At Zell am Zee four full days would be £65.

Sample Price

A week for a three room villa at Domaine be Beaumont costs £1,390 in peak season including Channel crossing with either Eurotunnel, P&O or Hoverspood for one vehicle up to nine passengers. A week half board at a hotel in Zell am See for the same period would be £627 per adult and £149 per child including flights and transfers.