CatsCube Posted February 6, 2008 Share Posted February 6, 2008 OH and I are planning a little holiday together with my mum looking after the boys for us, so we get some nice us time. Were looking at the last week of April so need to be quick in planning it. Would like your opionions on where to go. The choice is between Paris or staying in the UK and going to centre parcs. very different choices I know!! The advantages of Paris, is OH has never been (I have) so it would be the usual sightseeing holiday, just wandering round really. Very romantic place for a couple. Stay in hotel and eat out for all our meals. meaning no cooking! Drawbacks are, OH will also need to get a new passport as his expires in a month and they are very expense now, so it does add to the cost of holiday, as does eating out for every meal. Plus we are a bit of a treck from the boys should there be any problem. Centreparcs, not typically romantic, although I thought we could get a lodge with a sauna and outdoor hot tub. For some cosy nights in. We could eat breakfasts and lunches (and dinners sometimes) at the lodge so save money on eating out all the time, so money can be spent on doing activities. Go horse riding, off road driving, bike rides, pampering treatments etc. And boys would be near by, so if they were missing mummy and daddy or having any problems we would be a lot nearer by to help and contact. Have never been to Centre Parcs before and hear very mixed views, dont know if it would be rubbish, and sounds a bit naff compared to a romantic trip to paris! Which would you go for, and do you have experiences of either? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cinnamon Posted February 6, 2008 Share Posted February 6, 2008 Centerparcs is FAB - we go there at least once a year & have done ever since the girls were tiny. You will love it - its very unhoildayparkish Its just a nice,classy lovely place to go........ Which Parc will you go to? Our favourite is Longleat,but I warn you,you may find its all booked up already for April The Spa is great,the Kindergarten is brilliant & the reasturants fab.Don't even get me started on the pool Do go Cat,you will all love it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chickencam Posted February 6, 2008 Share Posted February 6, 2008 how can you afford it we looked at the prices and But you have given it a great recomendation so maybe another look through squinted eyes avoiding the money side Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blackrocksrock Posted February 6, 2008 Share Posted February 6, 2008 At least the passports last for ages and ages and are handy to have - Never been to Paris but love to go - believe its expensive - we went to Brussels courtesy of Ryanair (very reasonable) and stayed in a lovely hotel very cheaply via Expedia booking and it was fabulous - they have a wonderful underground/bus/tram fare system - cheap as chips and a great open top bus tour - all in all we really enjoyed ourselves and it was very cheap. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CatsCube Posted February 6, 2008 Author Share Posted February 6, 2008 Sarah, I just called for avaliability and they have a 1 Bed Exec Lodge in Sherwood Forest for the 5th of May for £395. They are the new designer fully refurbished ones and very swich apparently. Have you been to that one before? The Elveden Park one is right on our doorstep, but dont mind traveling, but want to go to one that has a lot of things to do on offer and is nice and clean and modern etc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snowy Posted February 6, 2008 Share Posted February 6, 2008 No experience of Paris or Center Parcs Cat, but OH and I have a 2 night break away from the children every year. Time just for us as you said. So far we have stayed in a country house hotel in Derbyshire (4 poster bed, log fires etc) and the Blakeney Hotel, not far from you! It's whatever you want to do, but while the children are young I personally do not want to go too far from them. Whatever you decide, make the most of it and have fun! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CatsCube Posted February 6, 2008 Author Share Posted February 6, 2008 Yeah thats sort of the way Im feeling. Im a bit worried in case they have any problemswhile were away. if Dylan really misses us, they can always come and join us. I know Noahs fine at being away, as when I was in hospital having Dylan I had complications and my mum had to look after Noah for 4 or 5 nights. It would eb good to still be able to talk to them on the phone and be at hand. Its very hard to decide. Paris is just so romantic and a real get away. where as I have never been a fan of package type holidays or holiday parks. But Im told that so long as you dont go during holiday times when its full of kids, its a very relaxed grown up atmosphere. When are spring half term and end of term holidays this year? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted February 6, 2008 Share Posted February 6, 2008 I was going to suggest the same as Snowy, a really nice hotel somewhere You could choose somewhere you have never been to before, that's not too far away from the boys should you be needed. There are lots of big country estates now that have been turned into hotels and they have lots of activities going on if you want that sort of thing or you could just go into the nearest town and do a bit of shopping or sight seeing Our 2 are off to grandparents for some of half term and I have just bought tickets to the theatre for Dan and I A real treat to go out on our own Whatever you decide have a fab time Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bronze Posted February 6, 2008 Share Posted February 6, 2008 Paris by the tunnel. Its almost as quick to get back from their nwo than it is from elsewhere in this country Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eyren Posted February 6, 2008 Share Posted February 6, 2008 Center Parcs isn't my kind of thing, so I would plump for Paris every time. Actually, I would probably go for a romantic weekend here in the UK. For his 40th bday I took the DH to Orford in Suffolk, for a stay in a very nice B&B and dinner at the Butley Oysterage fish restaurant. And for our honeymoon we had a short break at a country hotel in Gloucs and visited Bristol, Bath, Stow-on-the-Wold, etc. Who needs Paris? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paola Posted February 6, 2008 Share Posted February 6, 2008 Never been to Centre Parcs, not really my thing I would opt for Paris via the tunnel Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chelsea Posted February 6, 2008 Share Posted February 6, 2008 (edited) If your choice is centre parcs or Paris I would go with Paris also. Just the thought of escaping to another country for a few days and absorbing some of that French culture would certainly appeal to me over staying in this country. You might even get nice weather! Edited February 6, 2008 by Guest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snowy Posted February 6, 2008 Share Posted February 6, 2008 We stayed Here in the Master Suite. Heaven! Can't wait to go back again! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CatsCube Posted February 6, 2008 Author Share Posted February 6, 2008 I dont really know what I would do with myself just staying in a hotel, Im not really a walking person, prefer to 'do' something. Plus want to go for longer than a weekend. I already live in a place with plenty of pituresque villiages around so can visit any of these at any time for free (which we do) What else do you do when staying at a hotel? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snowy Posted February 6, 2008 Share Posted February 6, 2008 What else do you do when staying at a hotel? Errrmmm, all the things you can't do with young children around? (just make sure the end result is not more children! ) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fairy&cake Posted February 6, 2008 Share Posted February 6, 2008 Paris! You can over dress, over eat and over romance. Paris is fabulous, ive been 3 times. Im not really into Centre Parks , reminds me of people in bright Anoraks with roll down hoods, or the type of place my nan would go to. BUT- from what ive read it sounds ok, swish rooms, hot tubs etc. Its a toughy. Id toss a coin [but the thought of leaving the country when my baby was so young would scare me into staying within the UK] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chelsea Posted February 6, 2008 Share Posted February 6, 2008 I dont really know what I would do with myself just staying in a hotel, Im not really a walking person You can wine and dine, drinks in the bar, afternoon tea, room service! If you stay centrally in Paris you could visit galleries, restaurants, Eiffel Tower , Boat trip on the Seine, plenty to occupy you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted February 6, 2008 Share Posted February 6, 2008 We spent our honeymoon in Paris - we loved it. (Long time ago, though ). If you're on a budget, get the Paupers Guide to Paris (assuming they still make it) - we ate in little cheap restaurants and had fab, unfussy, real French food. There's so much to see and it is very romantic . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Goosey Lucy Posted February 6, 2008 Share Posted February 6, 2008 Centre Parcs Sherwood Forest is lovely. fab sauna centre. Lots to do if that's what you're interested in. I would stay clear of the pool if you've not got kids tho... I'd happily go there again, last time we went with the kids. Was my first time. Can't really fault it but I did refuse to cook (it was our main holiday that year and I had a young baby) so ate out/bought in every night. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boris70 Posted February 6, 2008 Share Posted February 6, 2008 Probably biased but I'd opt for Paris every time! I used to live about 10km away from central paris and would go there every weekend. In terms of prices - you just need to know where to go - i.e. don't go to the hugely touristy bits, try walking 2 streets away and you'll find restaurants that are a lot better value. Also - they all do "menus" where you get a better deal on 2+ courses of dinner. And remember - wine in France is very reasonable if you buy a carafe rather than a bottle - it may put hairs on your chest though - so be warned! Accomadation - try IBIS hotels - very very cheap, then with the train over there it wouldn't be too expensive. Also - a nice area to stay is south of the effiel tower near the ecole militaire, very close to the main sites, but not in the thick of the US and japanese tourists! On the note of passports - I got mine and Leo's done this year, even with a photo issue for leo's (he wasn't looking directly at the camera which I have to say would be impossible for any 3 week old baby), they only took a2 weeks to come back! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chickencam Posted February 7, 2008 Share Posted February 7, 2008 We got passports for all 5 of us last year and it cost us the best part of £350, so we couldn't afford to use them last year. ED is going to Paris in July, Eurodisney an overnight stay, a trip on the Seine and some shopping all for £160 which I didn't think was bad (it doesn't include the shopping though I hope she is saving ) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tina C Posted February 7, 2008 Share Posted February 7, 2008 Hmm, I think you would spend as much on the CenterParcs deal as you would in Paris - but I also wonder if you feel that you ought to choose something 'romantic' because its just the two of you? It won't be very romantic wherever you go if you worry about the little ones all the time you are there so I say go to CenterParcs, safe in the knowledge that you are more contactable. Hopefully, you will then find out that actually the children had a fantastic time without you (grandparents will love to spoil them I am sure) and you can go to Paris (or wherever takes your fancy) next time. It is important to have time for just the two of you, but it is hard the first time you do it! We go away at least once a year - Layla gets taken somewhere exciting by her grandparents and we get to climb higher mountains than we can when she is with us. Let us know what you decide and have FUN Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
little chickadee Posted February 7, 2008 Share Posted February 7, 2008 Good luck with whatever you chose Cat. I would also go for a nice hotel in this country if it was me - maybe organise theatre trips/ gigs? - although we like to go to music festivals if we've got the chance of a babysitting opportunity. They are so much fun and always absolutely tons to do. (We've just booked one as our family holiday, and it's only cost £160!) We went to France on honeymoon and stayed in B&B's. They are amazing and sooooo cheap compared to the uk. You can stay in moated castles/ chateaus and all sorts of exciting places. Also the hosts tend to offer pretty amazing dinners for a small fee. We stayed with a retired Parisian chef for 3 nights MMmmmmmmm.! It would mean staying outside of paris, but I think that the public transport in France is pretty good. We found everyone to be so incredibly friendly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crazygal Posted February 7, 2008 Share Posted February 7, 2008 Hi- have you decided what you're going to do? I have been to the Longleat Center Parcs twice (but with the children) and also Paris for a long weekend (also with the children!) and could recommend both wholeheartedly. But I think that if it were just me and DH I would go back to Paris...hop on the train and you can be there (from London) in less than a couple of hours...when we went we stayed near the Jardin de Luxembourg (where its a bit cheaper) only a couple of metro stops away from the Seine and Notre Dame. I think you would experience so much more by being in a foreign country, and I would def recommend going to Montmartre, the views are great and its just so "French" (if very toursity by day). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jules. Posted February 7, 2008 Share Posted February 7, 2008 I have been to both Paris & Centre Parcs. Hubby & I would both like to go & stay in one of the luxury apartments in CP - just the two of us. There is loads to keep you busy (or not) . We have been 6 times as a family & it's really relaxing- and the Spa area is really Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
