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We've used select sites and booked ourselves. I reckon it's chepaer to do it yourself if you're doing Dover to Calais but on some Brittany Ferries routes Select Sites seem to get big enough reductions to make it about equal (with a little more peace of mind for free).

book it yourself, we met a family at La Ravoire nr Annecy last week who thought they had a bargain, they had paid £660, 10 nights, tent pitch, 2 adults and 1 child and the ferry Dover/Calais,  I didnt like to tell them that booking direct would have cost less than half that!!! (£272 for site if booking direct)

We used the tunnel with Tesco vouchers and the some of the nights at La Ravoire for £11.30 with camping cheques, it does pay to shop around. I can see the attraction of using eurocampindependent on a site that runs kids clubs but not on the sites that dont if that makes sense. Mind you it would have to be a blooming good kids club to pay that much extra!! Another bonus if you book direct is the ability to pick your own pitch as the site will usually send you a site plan before booking.

We booked everything with the Caravan Club - ferry, Red Pennant Insurance, all the sites and we saved alot of money compared to the rates at the sites on the internet.

We have just got back from the Vendee and its quite nice but very English.

A big thank you to everyone for all the great advice. I've been doing lots of research (to the point of obsession!) and feel confident enough to book it all myself now. Just waiting for Brittany Ferries to release their 2009 fares and bookings so I can take the plunge. The only depressing thing is looking out of the window at this dreadful weather we're having and knowing that it's another 11 months before we'll be off to the Vendee. Still, we all need something to look forward to. And there'll always be the opportunity to christen the new tent in the spring.

A bientot!

We did mobiles for 2 years with Eurocamp and this year camped at L'Etang de la breche with Eurocamp Independant.  I used them as it was the first year my younger child could use their Kids Club, a moment I have been waiting for!  I suspect they were about £200 more expensive over the 3 weeks.  As it turned out both sons  much preferred the French kids club. 

In addition the pitch Eurocamp told us we were having was the worst on the site (despite having booked in Aug last year).  When we got there I was relieved  to discover we had been re-allocated.

On the plus side we used Eurocamp ready tents as overnight stops on the was down, which worked well (especially as I didn't want to leave our trailer in a hotel car park) and gave the kids more of a chance to stretch their legs than hotels would have done.

NB Having looked at Select Sites recently, haven't they been taken over by the company that owns Eurocamp?

lots of replies here .

my advice would be have a look at the camping and caravanning club  on line ask for a carefree brochure to be sent to you or phone them and ask for one. have a look at the all inclusive deals . we have found these very good value and they take the worry out of booking. their sites are excellent. i dont think you can go wrong with these.

if you want to book with them you would need to join but i think they are worth it.

good luck.