Family activity vacations in the Ardeche

COUNTRY:
France
LOCATION:
Ardeche, South of France
DEPARTURES:
Our vacations depart daily from May through to end September
PRICE:
From 655 - €795 (7 days) excluding flights
MORE INFO:
Price depends on rooms (single or shared) at the hotel. Accommodation, activities, local transport, 7 breakfasts and 5 dinners are included.
LATE AVAIL:
We have late availability from now until the end of June. Please inquire.
Make enquiry
Family activity holidays in the Ardeche

Family activity vacations in the Ardeche

Family activity centre vacation
For many families, flexibility is the key on a vacation and we have used our operational experience to offer just that. Activity centres have one base from which we offer a range of exciting, fun and educational activities that may appeal to all the family or just some. You can choose how many you do and who in the family does them. You will not be forced into a group (although there are normally other families around) and if you want free time to explore as a family our staff are there to advise what there is to see. Each activity has a stated minimum age and children must be accompanied by at least 1 parent while undertaking an activity.

How this vacation makes a difference

We are aware of the impact that tourism can have on the social and physical environments that we work in. We strive to make this impact positive wherever possible and to do our part in minimising damage or waste.

In the Ardèche, many of our activities take place in or around the Ardèche National Park or in forest and farmland locations. We work hard to train and educate our staff so that they in turn can advise our clients on how to enjoy the region without having negative impact on the environment.

In addition to the physical concerns, we believe that it is vital that we work in partnership with the communities that we live in and to embrace the cultural and linguistic differences. All of our English speaking staff are given lessons and advice on French speaking and are obliged to converse and interact at every opportunity. Wherever practical, we work with local companies and suppliers to provide services for our clients. We believe that this not only improves our local relationships but it adds to our clients experience and improves understanding of the local environment for all involved.

We always try to:

- Remove all of our litter (and a little extra!) when we are in the outdoors.
- Encourage our guests to use green transport or offset emissions where possible for international travel.
- Reuse or recycle wherever possible.
- Respect wildlife and habitats by using established trails and not altering the natural environment in any way.
- Minimise consumption of artificially stored water and electricity by close monitoring and using devices such as timers to prevent waste.
- Manage our properties in order to limit energy consumed to heat or cool them.
- Make recommendations to our guests regarding how to care for the local environment.
- We try to raise awareness of local, sensitive environmental issues.
- Offer opportunities to visit local heritage sites, local historical buildings and national parks.
- Work with local businesses to provide activities, accommodation, shopping and meals.
- Visit and, where possible take part in local shows and events.
- Buy locally produced foods (we’d be crazy not to – its great!).
- Behave responsibly and with respect for the community by encouraging considerate interaction and conduct.
- We like to take a moment to consider how our presence may be perceived by those around us and to behave accordingly.

Make enquiry

Family activity vacations in the Ardeche

Reviewed 31 Aug 2009 by Lisa Kossoff3 star rating

1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?


Kayaking.

2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?


Think very carefully about the accommodation. Don't try to squeeze into too small a place. We suffered without air con although we were there during a freak heatwave!

3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?


Yes.

4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?


We had a great time and met some kindred spirits!

Reviewed 04 Sep 2008 by Ruth Riley4 star rating

1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?


All the activities and the locality were superb. We all enjoyed ourselves and have returned refreshed (and fitter and healthier). This was a quite different vacation experience as we were not corralled into a group and transported around to a timetable as you might be on most vacations. Instead the local staff suggested activities, advised on the best places to go and organisations to use, and then drove us there!

2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?


Check out details about the accommodation you will use e.g. location of hotel, size and quality of rooms.

3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?


We travelled by train from Shropshire to Avignon. We then travelled short distances around the vacation area by minibus, on foot, by canoe and horse. We used a local hotel and ate local food (and enjoyed local wine). I believe that we had a minimal impact on the environment and supported the local tourism industry.

4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?


Very good. The activities offered and the local staff were superb. Lots to do locally - something to suit everyone from the lazy to the super active.

Reviewed 11 Aug 2008 by Louise Harrison4 star rating

1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?


Canoeing down the Ardeche river.

2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?


Take spare clothes and shoes because you will get wet. Also, good walking boots are most comfortable on the walks as the terrain is stoney.

3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?


Yes, mostly, though we did consume vast quantities of water and I don’t know what happened to all the empty bottles. We left them for the hotel to dispose of - we hope, responsibly. The hotel we stayed in belonged to and was run by a local family, so we benefitted them directly. The activities enjoyed were, likewise, operated by local people.

4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?


Very good. Lots of fun, very well organised. I would recommend it.
Make enquiry

Vacation Reviews

We invite every traveler who books a vacation via us to send in a review. Because we don't run the vacations they're completely independent and unedited... remember to read between the lines though, as two people on the same vacation can have different views!

Read our review policy

Convert currencies