Overseas Site Night Vouchers
The Venture Abroad booklet has just dropped through the letter box and I must say first glance it is a great improvement on last years.
Page 10 introduces Overseas Site Night Vouchers, but no where can I find a price. Anyone know what they cost?
Ken
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Thanks for that unclemike, have looked everywhere but couldn’t it. A site search didn’t bring anything up!
Unless the ferry discount is substantial I think you could loose out on many sites, however choose carefully and and you could be quids in if there are sites near where you want to be.
I wonder why they don’t publish the price?
Ken
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Can they be used at any of the sites, and at all dates, or are they restricted to certain sites, and on certain dates?
I can't imagine that you could use them in high season, and on many of the sites offered by the Caravan Club, in periods other than high season (which is really only three weeks in late July and three weeks in August in France) you can use an ACSI card. This would cost a maximum of 19 euros per night for pitch, two adults, car and caravan, awning, and electricity (also can be used for motorhomes, tents and trailer tents).
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So the next time I go across to Roscoff and stop over at Camping Trologot, where Madame accepts payment in all sorts of ways, I can pay £13.50 (€15) with an ACSI card, or the £15.95 cost of a Camping Cheque, or £16.50 in cash, or the £21.95 cost of one of the new site vouchers. Big deal?
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I tried all the sites in the Languedoc, offered by the Caravan and Motorhome Club, and all but three of them were in the ACSI scheme, six at 19 euros and the remainder at 17 euros or less. That £16.92 at today's exchange rate, or £15.15 or even less which made me wonder why the Caravan and Motorhome Club have gone down this route.
I wonder if this was the trade off for buying the Camping Cheques franchise in this country ................ Alan Rogers? The intention perhaps being eventually to get rid of paper Camping Cheques (which is to happen after the end of this year), and then reintroduce them but only at sites available through the Caravan Club. Or perhaps, being more charitable, this is now the only way they can offer cheaper ferry crossings to those who don't actually want to pre-book sites.
But, there will be serious competition from ACSI, particularly if you can save at least £5 per night, and potentially quite a lot more, especially if able to take advantage of ACSI Card offers such as 7 nights for 6.
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Pay two vouchers? That's £43.90. I have never paid £43.90 in all my life. I know a nice site in France with covered swimming pool, bar, refreshments, impeccable facilities and free wi fi - charges in peak season are £18 (€20).
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David
It might be the other way round. I am pretty sure the Club used to run its own "Camping Cheque" system before Camping Cheques proper came on the scene they were called Caravan Club European Camping Cheques according to my 1992 Travel Service Guide. Be interesting to know a bit more about their history, Does Val know?
David
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Come on now, don't be coy. Where is this site?
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just had a lookat the VA brochure (just to get a few ideas.....) and was horrified at some of the prices being quoted, even at the low end of the scale.....and as for the Vouchers.....no thanks.
however, despite there being no caption to give info, i did find where the pic on the front cover was taken....very nice but obviously very popular as (according to ACSI) you have to book at least a week in advance even when using their card.
its near San Remo
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Camping Le Vallon aux Merlettes at Matignon.
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I don't really know David, but given that the Caravan Club used a lot of Les Castels sites I wonder if this was a joint promotion - the Caravan Club sold the 'Camping Cheques' and the site owners tested how popular they were before bringing out their own scheme, perhaps. We were given some in the early nineties by someone we met at Vallon Pont D'Arc............. and were converted and have used them ever since!
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I just had a look at the site we stopped on in May for 17€ using ACSI. Nice covered swimming pool bar etc. In High season it is 38€ a night, so I suppose requiring two cheques does make sense, if a little overpriced. However, unless you are saving a lot on the ferry crossing, you might as well just pay the going rate or invest in ACSI.
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I have never used any voucher scheme. I just don't like to be tied to using particular sites so for me they have never been value for money. I do usually buy the ACSI card but it never dictates where we stay but is treated much like any other guide.
peedee
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This Club offers a certain sort of neat, tidy, simple sites here in the UK, but in the Venture Abroad booklet offers sites which are utterly, totally different.
If Club members want that sort of high activity site then why doesn't the Club provide them here at home? But if Club members just want clean sites with a toilet block then why doesn't the Club promote them overseas? They do exist after all.
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It was certainly that generous early this year. I'm not sure from this discussion whether the "caravans go free" + camping cheques scheme is going to be discontinued. I hope not as we get excellent prices on our usual Portsmouth - Ouistreham journey.
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