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"Great holiday with built in peace of mind"
We needed a lot from our family holiday. A stairgate etc for our baby on the move, space and activites for my three-year-old, friends for my 11-year-old step daughter, and peace and quite for my mum to read her book. As for my husband and I, if we managed to tick all the boxes and the sun shone we'd be happy.
France seemed a good bet - we could drive (saving on flights) and the heat wouldn't be too much. I was recommended child friendly holiday company www.totstofrance.co.uk by a friend. This child friendly holiday company just seemed the perfect solution. We'd rented cottages all over the place before and while many had been beautiful, the stress of no stairgates and unsecured gardens really didn't make for a peaceful holiday. So, this was the answer.
And it was truly great. Cots, bottles, bibs, baby monitors, fenced off swimming pool - the whole lot is guaranteed at all of their gites. We even got to pre-order nappies and baby food - so no squeezing it all into an over-packed car.
We opted for one of the six gites in the grounds of Le Beau Chateau, a beautiful 15th Century house located on the sunny Charente Dordogne border. I chose the property because I figured the communal playbarn and pool (including a toddler pool and nearby sandpit) would be the perfect meeting ground for Rosie, our 11-year-old. And so it was. Within minutes she was happily chatting to the children of the English owners and soon made other friends as well. And our three-year-old loved the freedom of the grounds and extensive play area.
The region was also a great hit. While there is nothing really to speak of in the village of Gurat itself - except the rather special underground church - there is so much in the grounds of the gite (including archery lessons from former-champ David) it didn't matter. And there is plenty to see and do within a 20-minute drive. There was even a wonderful and shady river beach at the nearby medieval village of Aubeterre - including a coffee shop for mum. And this bit of France boasts plenty of local markets and interesting villages (some with boating options for older children).
All in, the holiday was a huge success. All boxes ticked.
Member review by belinda - mother of two little boys plus one step-daughter
- review date 26th November 2007
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