Haven Europe

Specialist Reports Holiday by Accommodation Camping - Ready Erected Ready-Erected Operators Haven Europe 

	Haven Europe
PO Box 218, 1 Park Lane , Hemel Hempstead HP2 4 GL
tel: (0870) 242 7777

With 20-plus years' experience in Europe, is reported the only major British group to own and operate its own (eight) parks in France known as Siblu parcs parcs (to differentiate them from the British parks run by sister company Haven UK). These are on the Mediterranean and Atlantic coasts and in Brittany.

Where

France (Brittany, Atlantic, Mediterranean and Western coasts, northern, southern and central areas), six sites in Italy, eight in Spain

No of Sites

30, 22 in France.

Type of Sites

Ranging from large and lively to more relaxed.

Accommodation

285sq ft tents with living/kitchen area and three bedrooms.
There are 14 models of various sizes of mobile homes for seven or eight people, including a model suitable for the disabled. Apartments, lodges and chalets are also available.

Kids Clubs

Tiger clubs operate at the majority of sites for 5-9 years, five days a week subject to demand. Rory the Tiger appears in person at selected sites and at a few of these there are separate clubs for 5-8 years and 9-12. Here Rory and Tiger couriers (known as reps) run a roadshow and Tiger Olympics for all the family. Some sites without the Tiger clubs run their own children's activities.
On other sites the clubs are usually in two sessions of two hours, one session for each age group, depending on demand.
This is specifically offered as a child entertainment facility not childcare. "Children remain the responsibility of parents at all times."
At all Haven-owned parcs Paws Club runs for children 1-4 years, one parent required to remain at all times, with games and educational play.
T-Co Clubs for 10-14 years offer activities like team challenges, sports games, swim fun, and hanging out and making friends.

Child/Courier Ratio

Generally 15:1 with a maximum of 20:1.

Type of Courier

There are dedicated Tiger Couriers (reps) at most sites, trained by Haven Europe and chosen for ability to run an imaginative club and show common sense. As these are difficult to recruit at short notice, in case of illness a club might not run.

Extra for Kids

Baby Pack with baby bath, high chair, play pen and cot for £14 per week. There is a games box on each site with games from MB and Parker.
Babysitting is available by reps or children's couriers for around €2.50 per hour per family or €5 after midnight.
There are junior tents £24.50 per week.

Other Activities

RYA accredited qualifications available at La Reserve (Aquitaine) on the on-site lake in sailing, power boating and windsurfing.
Professional football coaching is offered in association with Premier Soccer School at the eight Haven owned parks for children 5-16 years.
Other activities such as scuba diving, horse riding, kayaking, canoeing, and cycling can be organised from the sites.

Sample Price

10 nights in a cottage mobile home in Normandy in high season is £1,298 for two adults with up to four children staying free. Price includes a Dover/Calais ferry crossing.