Hi, yes there is plenty to do, Europa Park is as good if not better than Euro Disney if that appeals (near Rust) loads of walking cycling swimming opportunities. Free bus and train travel with Konus card. Similar prices to France, no tolls on roads .
We no longer have children with us so site preference a bit different for us but loads of different sites. Go for it, sure you won't regret it. Others will be along with more detailed advice.
------------- Hugh and Penny
2014 30+ nights.
2015
Jan 3 nights Chatsworth
Feb 2 nights Bridlington
March 3 nights Greatham Retreat CL
April 4 nights Crofton Hall CL
May/June Germany 15 nights
We did exactly the same thing last summer and had a good time and would go back to explore further at some point.
Our kids are pretty much same age as yours and if you look in my profile you will see the review Id did on Munstertal campsite in southern Black Forest.
Great play area and can cycle round the site fine. pitches a little tight in place if used to large inland French sites, but plenty big enough if you get a comfort pitch on right hand side of campsite and new ones open this year expanding it further/
5* campsite at 3* French site prices!
As to things to do then yes loads in the Black Forest and a search on here will throw up plenty of posts.
I also started one on Europa Park so searching for that will throw up some info there. As above its a great place to spend at least two days and all at a great price even more so this year with € rates
Some food is cheaper in Germany we found and some more expensive. Eating out wasn't too expensive but choice of food we found maybe a bit ore limiting compared to coastal france but not a huge issue
Travel down toll free pretty much from Calais via Belgium/Luxembourg/France and into Germany
Overall I would say it worked out cheaper than most of our French trips but we did miss the coast and familiarity of France
Whatever anyone will try to tell you, its down to personal choice which country you will prefer but I would say Black Forest is on a "should go and see" list!
Weather wasn't brilliant last summer (mid August) but neither was it across much of northern Europe. Like anywhere with mountains you will take your chances at times with weather but should be pretty warm at low level - colder up higher of course
Camping Munstertal at a village of the same name in the southern area of the forest, nearest large town is Frieburg. It's a splendid site and well suited to families. Excellent swimming pool/complex, large play area and plenty to explore in the hills around the site. There is also a wellness centre. The site has a small railway station at the gate with free travel in the Black Forest area. The scenery in the area is outstanding and a trip up Mt Belchenblick by cable car is a great day out. The downside of the site is that some pitches are small and a bit cramped compared to French standards and probably the main thing for a family is the price is high.
harryb
Don't forget to leave a review of the French and other European campsites you have visited!
Quote: Originally posted by HarryB on 05/2/2015
Camping Munstertal at a village of the same name in the southern area of the forest, nearest large town is Frieburg. It's a splendid site and well suited to families. Excellent swimming pool/complex, large play area and plenty to explore in the hills around the site. There is also a wellness centre. The site has a small railway station at the gate with free travel in the Black Forest area. The scenery in the area is outstanding and a trip up Mt Belchenblick by cable car is a great day out. The downside of the site is that some pitches are small and a bit cramped compared to French standards and probably the main thing for a family is the price is high.
harryb
Harry I agree with most of your review entirely, but price for a family in peak season if staying more than 10 days especially when you get 10% discount , is not high comparing like for like at all.
Think it worked out at just over £30 a night for peak season on a fully serviced pitch on a proper 5* campsite for 2a and 2c
I have never yet found anything like for like in France at same price
You do need to pay cash at end of stay just remember - it does make it clear what they accept and your UK VISA or M/C will not be accepted
I paid more than €28.2 but the ehu costs bumped that up to to nearly €32, this was mid September and just for 2 adults. I asked for a bigger pitch, they were only available on the newly opened super pitches and cost €5 more but the glitch there was that you had to book for a minimum of 14 nights, we were only staying 9 so declined.
What I would say to anyone going to this site is make sure you work out basic costs and budget extra for ehu then there will be no shock when you come to pay.
Now i'm aware of how this sites price structure works I would be ok with it and would have no hesitation in going back. Loved the site, loved the location.
Just looked at this years prices for the site and according to what I see it would cost your party €48.9 per night without ehu + €6.80 a night for tourist tax.
Pleased I only pay for two and go out of season.
harryb
Don't forget to leave a review of the French and other European campsites you have visited!
Must have gone up a lot Harry as was €41.10 last year as you say plus tax on a standard pitch with EHU connection and water and waste. Kids are under 11 so don't pay adult prices or tourist tax
We also got a 10% discount on the person price as stayed over 10 days as I said so that comes off that aswell
Electric was around €35 from memory for about two weeks use
For a family peak season for what you are getting its good value when comparing like for like
I think you are pricing up on the new premium pitches and not allowing any discounts