Boek je verblijf tot 2 maanden voor aankomst en ontvang tot 20% vroegboekkorting. Bovenop je vroegboekkorting ontvang je ook nog 20% extra korting buiten de schoolvakanties. Zo kan je korting oplopen tot maar liefst 36%!
Center Parcs Bungalowparken: Nieuws, Acties, Aanbiedingen en kortingen
maandag 30 december 2019
Vroegboekvoordeel tot 36%: Ieder zijn Center Parcs
Boek je verblijf tot 2 maanden voor aankomst en ontvang tot 20% vroegboekkorting. Bovenop je vroegboekkorting ontvang je ook nog 20% extra korting buiten de schoolvakanties. Zo kan je korting oplopen tot maar liefst 36%!
vrijdag 27 december 2019
Nieuwe Magazine uit: Boek nu snel je vakantie: Ieder z'n Center Parcs
- tot 35% korting voor de lente
- tot 20% korting voor voorjaarsvakantie, meivakantie en lange weekenden
- tot 30% korting voor de zomer
dinsdag 24 december 2019
Niet weg in de kerstvakantie, boek dan nu al voor Mei, Pinksteren, Voorjaar of Zomervakantie.
- Meivakantie!? Boek (t/m 20 december) nu je verblijf voor de meivakantie 2020 en ontvang 15% nog de maximale vroegboekkorting
- Zomervakantie Hoe eerder je boekt, hoe groter je voordeel! tot 36% korting + ActiviteitenCadeau (t.w.v. €30) + Gratis Voorkeursligging (t.w.v. €33)
- Feestdagen : Hemelvaart, Pinksteren en Pasen
What’s happened in 2019 at Center Parcs?
A brand new village
July 2019 saw us open our first village in Ireland, Longford Forest. The village has 466 self-catering lodges and 30 apartments to accommodate up to 2,500 guests. Since it’s launch, we have loved seeing guests enjoying their first experience of Center Parcs Longford Forest.
Many makeovers
Elveden Forest‘s ParcMarket has been refurbished and has a brand new look as you do your food shopping; Rajinda Pradesh has also had a refresh, with new exotic colours and luxurious textiles.
The well-loved Foresters Inn at Longleat Forest has now become Foresters Kitchen and Terrace, exclusive to Longleat Forest and has its own menu.
An exciting transformation began earlier this year at Aqua Sana Longleat Forest, to create a brand-new Forest Spa. The newly extended spa has beautiful new experience rooms for you to enjoy as you relax and unwind.
Making a splash at Sherwood Forest
We have seen huge changes at the Subtropical Swimming Paradise at Sherwood Forest. The Grand Cascade ride has had a refresh and we have welcomed brand new water play areas for the little ones: Venture Bay and Venture Harbour. Tropical Cyclone has opened at Sherwood Forest and is a thrilling and gravity-defying ride, perfect for adrenaline junkies.
New activities have arrived
Exciting activities have arrived at all of our UK villages, Spy School is perfect for your little ones, they undergo a variety of challenges which include secret message writing, decoding, dusting for fingerprints and invisible ink. If you have older children, Survival Adventure is perfect for your explorers, as they learn how to use survival instincts to make it to the extraction point successfully.
Forest Fortress Den Build is a brand new competitive activity, great for teams. Race against the clock to beat the opposition in building your very own fortress and raising your team flag first. Available at both Sherwood Forest and Woburn Forest.
Elveden Forest and Whinfell Forest have two new and exciting activities: Interactive Squash and Family Wall Ball. Both are exceptionally popular with guests, as they can enjoy competitive family fun with our state-of-the-art interactive soft ball games.
As the popularity of escape rooms have increased, it was a perfect time to launch ‘Escape the Forest’; ‘Breakaway Cabin’ and ‘Explorer’s Quest’ at Woburn Forest. Designed for collaborative teamwork, the new escape room activities are perfect for testing your puzzle-solving skills.
Whinfell Forest has also updated its Aerial Adventure course. This now includes a 255-metre dual zip wire over the lake and brand new obstacles. It reaches 26 metres high, so is definitely for the thrill-seekers of the family.
Accommodation
New to Woburn Forest, 6 bedroom Woodland Lodges are being built, with large open-plan living space so you really can bring everyone with you. This will also include our first ever 6-bedroom Adapted Woodland Lodge, featuring ramp access to the accommodation as well as an electric bed, walk in/wheel-in showers and a fully-equipped kitchen with lowered worktops. These lodges are now available to book for breaks from May and August 2020.
Whinfell Forest is building four new luxury Treehouses, which are now available to book for breaks from July 2020. Guests with limited mobility can enjoy our Adapted Treehouse. Each will include four en-suite bedrooms, a detached games den and beautifully styled open-plan living – the perfect hot tub break.
To keep up to date on our latest news, make sure you’re following us on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.
The post What’s happened in 2019 at Center Parcs? appeared first on Village Life.
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maandag 23 december 2019
Christmas and New Year at Center Parcs
Research conducted by Center Parcs has revealed that, although 90% of people said they like spending time with their families, more than a third of us (38%) say it’s just too difficult to regularly meet up. Whether it’s Christmas or New Year, Center Parcs makes spending time with the ones you love stress-free so you can enjoy every moment together.
Can Christmas be hassle-free?
Of those surveyed, 41% said they didn’t want to host Christmas due to the lack of space in their home and the stress and effort involved. The great news is, at Center Parcs you don’t need to worry about cooking or washing up; you can dine in one of our restaurants for a Christmas Day lunch or carvery.
A New Year’s resolution
If you’re spending Christmas at home, by New Year you’ll be ready to get away from washing endless pots and constantly tidying away all of the new toys. Bring in the New Year with a fabulous celebration at one of our restaurants, enjoy the amazing fireworks extravaganza and start 2019 the right way.
Space for all
Lack of space was another issue cited – 13% have a family stay in a nearby hotel over the Christmas period.
Sleeping up to eight people, our luxury lodges and Treehouses with open-plan living areas, are the perfect place to host your family together, while also giving you space to unwind to after a busy day. Want to bring the whole family along? No problem. You can have more than one lodge, or try our 6-bedroom Woodland Lodge at Sherwood Forest or at Whinfell Forest.
Plan ahead
Between wrapping gifts and stocking up on fizz, there’s so much to do at Christmas. Our research showed planning starts as early as 19 August and can be locked in place a whole two months before.
So plan ahead, that’s fine! You can book a Center Parcs break up until April 2020 and with our new website you can invite your guests to the booking so they can book their own activities and restaurants, as well as view the break itinerary.
Live far from family?
With five villages across the UK and one village in Ireland, we’re sure there’s one village you can meet family halfway at, so you don’t have to make such a long journey in all of the festive traffic.
And with a mixture of break durations over weekends or the midweek, there’s plenty of opportunities to get together all year round. Three nights could be the perfect way to spend quality time together and what better way than at Winter Wonderland or New Year?
Want to spend more time together?
Our research showed that it is important that time spent together as a family is quality time, which can be improved by seeing each other more frequently. A key finding that stood out highlighted that “families who see each other little and often are more likely to have less tension among each other than those who only see each other on special occasions”.
Book now for hassle-free family time at Center Parcs this Christmas and New Year.
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zondag 22 december 2019
Your guide to winter at Center Parcs
Here at Center Parcs, we can’t wait for the cold cosy nights, glistening frosty mornings and crisp wintery air. Where better to experience the magic of winter than in the heart of the forest?
Get cosy and warm
Nestled in the heart of the forest, your lodge is the perfect setting to relax at the end of a busy day exploring. Light your own log fire and relax with all your family as the cold night draws in. If it’s just too cold to venture out, why not get food delivered straight to your lodge from our on-village takeaway, Dining In.
Winter walks
The frosty weather is perfect for long brisk walks in the forest. Get your whole family wrapped up warm and experience the glittering forest as you explore through the frost-covered woodlands. Take a pit stop at Starbucks and treat yourself to one of their signature coffees or indulge in a luxury hot chocolate – guaranteed to keep your hands warm as you immerse yourself in forest life. If walking isn’t your thing, then why not explore the village at a faster pace and hire a bicycle from our Cycle Centre, with a large range for children, adults and groups there really is something for everyone.
Get creative
If you want to escape the cold and do something for all the family to enjoy together, we have a fantastic range of indoor activities for you to try. Get creative with our Pottery Painting and create a colourful masterpiece to be proud of from our huge range of pottery. As an added treat, the studio will professionally glaze and fire your creation overnight ready to take home the next day as a wonderful keepsake of your trip.
Sub-Tropical Swimming Paradise
Heated to 29.5C all year round, the Subtropical Swimming Paradise is a perfect way to spend your cold winter days. With unlimited entry included in the cost of your break, there is no better way to keep the whole family entertained. Take a dip in the Wave Pool, make a splash down the Wild Water Rapids or hire your own private Family Cabana to add that bit of luxury to your experience.
Walking in a Winter Wonderland
A Winter Wonderland short break at Center Parcs is our most magical break of the year. With the festive season in full swing, you can soak up the atmosphere in Santa’s Woodland Village, see your little one’s smile widen as they see Santa for the first time in his Woodland Workshop or try something new with our exciting range of special seasonal activities, from Festive Carriage Rides to Festive Family Cupcake Decorating. The forest takes on a new life this time of year and transforms into a magical winter playground with snow, fireworks and festive twinkling lights.
Make time for you
If your idea of a perfect wintery break is relaxing and unwinding after a busy year, then Aqua Sana needs adding to your itinerary. Our spas are nestled right in the forest and provide the perfect setting for escaping the stress of everyday life. Experience complete indulgence as you connect with nature and leave feeling refreshed and renewed. Choose between a Spa Day or Spa Break for the ultimate treat this winter.
There is so much to do this winter at Center Parcs, so book your short break with us today and discover everything we have to offer at this magical time of year.
The post Your guide to winter at Center Parcs appeared first on Village Life.
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donderdag 19 december 2019
Niet weg tijdens de kerst? Boek dan alvast de Voorjaarsvakantie (of Mei)
woensdag 18 december 2019
Your Winter Wonderland 2019 in pictures
Have you ever wondered what Winter Wonderland at Center Parcs is really like? Well with our photo gallery, you can now have a look into what you can experience during your winter break across all of our villages.
From singing reindeers to a magnificent display over the lake, we take Christmas to a whole new level with our Winter Wonderland…
Winter Wonderland Gallery
Look out for our 2019 Winter Wonderland selfie frames when you are exploring the forest and take a photo of you and your loved ones. Don’t forget to share it with us using the hashtag #mycp.
Do you want to experience Winter Wonderland at Center Parcs for yourself? Take a look at our breaks and book a last-minute family adventure in the forest today.
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Golf van vernieuwingen rolt door De Eemhof
Bij deze vernieuwingen laten we ons inspireren door de omgeving. Hoe mooier een park in de omringende natuur past, hoe beter. En De Eemhof heeft een bijzondere ligging: tussen het Eemmeer en het Horsterwold, West-Europa’s grootste loofbos. Bovendien heeft De Eemhof wat andere parken niet hebben: een Mediterraans tintje in de vorm van de Market Square.
Vernieuwde cottages
Alle elementen uit de omgeving ga je terugzien in de nieuwe styling: speelse elementen in de Comfort cottages, glinsterend blauw en rijke groenschakeringen in Premium cottages en warme geeltinten in de luxueuze VIP cottages. In het meubilair, op de muren en de vloer, en in de decoratie die je zo een gevoel van thuis geeft. Maar ook natuurelementen zoals de vogels uit het bos, komen op een speelse manier terug
Nóg meer moois
Als je in een vernieuwde cottage of hotelkamer verblijft, wil je natuurlijk dat de rest van het park daar niet bij achter blijft.
- In de Action Factory kun je na een grote vernieuwing nóg meer activiteiten doen, in een compleet nieuwe (subtropische) styling. Tipje van de sluier: de bowlingbanen zul je niet meer terugkennen!
- Goed nieuws voor fans van de Turbo Twister: de Aqua Mundo wordt uitgebreid met nóg een superglijbaan.
- Even shoppen op de Market Square voor een nieuwe outfit? De winkels zelf krijgen ook een nieuw jasje!
Deep Nature® Spa & Action Factory in Park Hochsauerland
Nieuwe Deep Nature® Spa
Heerlijk ontspannen doe je in de moderne, nieuwe Deep Nature® Spa. Je kunt er terecht voor een Oosterse hammam, een bezoek aan de ontspannende zoutgrot, diverse sauna's met een temperatuur tot 90° Celsius, bubbelbaden, belevenisdouches en een binnen-, buiten- en ijsbad. Ook geniet je er van een breed scala aan lichaams- en gezichtsbehandelingen die door onze professionele medewerkers worden aangeboden. In de aangrenzende rustruimte kom je daarna helemaal tot rust.
Wellness voor het hele gezin? Ook dan kun je terecht in de Deep Nature® Spa. Op geselecteerde dagen vindt de Family Spa plaats, waarbij per koppel tot twee kinderen vanaf vier jaar alle faciliteiten van de Deep Nature® Spa kunnen bezoeken.Op deze dagen is het bezoeken van de spa alleen toegestaan met zwemkleding.
Nieuwe Action Factory
Naast ontspannen in de Deep Nature® Spa kun je je in Park Hochsauerland (D) ook helemaal uitleven in de nieuwe Action Factory. Het interieur doet je meteen denken aan een houtzagerij en er is voor ieder wat wils:
- een interactieve bowlingbaan en een 13-holes minigolfbaan;
- meerdere mini en bumper cars;
- vier trampolines;
- een gametown;
- acht klimmuren;
- een Factory Café;
- en een unieke Virtual Reality Experience.
dinsdag 17 december 2019
Bungalowkadobonnen tijd. tot 350 euro korting
En nu zijn de bonnen dan alweer op Marktplaats te koop.
>> Snel naar de Center Parcs Website: code / url <<
Bungalowcadeaubon
Dit jaar kan de korting weer oplopen tot maximaal 350 euro voor boekingen op verblijven van Center Parcs parken en op een verblijf op Villages Nature.Voor een verblijf op een Sunparks park geldt een maximale korting van 250 euro.
Bron: Marktplaats
vrijdag 13 december 2019
Why parenthood turns us into outdoor types
“What kind of tree is this, Mummy?”
It is morning and I am hustling my two small sons up the hill to nursery because we are, as I keep reminding everyone, already late. Despite all this urgency, my four-year-old has stopped to pet a tree. He’s that kind of four-year-old.
“What kind of tree is this?” he asks, again. “Is it a deciduous tree?”
I squint at the tree. Its trunk is brownish; its leaves greenish. It is, as far as I can tell, definitely a tree. Beyond that, I’m stumped.
“It’s OK,” my four-year-old sighs, clumping wearily up the hill. “I’ll ask my teacher. She’s outdoorsy.”
I am not outdoorsy. I am indoorsy. My idea of summer fun is a dark, hermetically sealed room with the air conditioning on full-blast because I have a tendency for heatstroke, horrible hayfever and a shameful fear of insects. To see me at a barbecue is to see me again, five minutes later, sprinting into the distance because someone said the word ‘wasp’.
Having children has changed all this.
My boys are sweet and endlessly curious, and I want them to have a den-building, forest-exploring sort of childhood. Because I grew up in a coastal village and, before my allergies and insect-based neuroses took hold, I barely spent any time indoors, and I loved it.
So, I’m trying to be a bit more outdoorsy. I’m no Ray Mears, but we do decamp to our local beach almost every weekend now. We don’t set an agenda but poke around on the beach to see what the tide’s brought in. There’s something about lounging in the dunes and observing the progress of the clouds across the sky that evokes that childhood sense of summer holidays lasting forever, and it’s very calming.
Occasionally I am organised enough to set us ‘outdoorsy missions’, like going to the park to find ‘helicopter’ seeds from Sycamore trees to turn into art, but often we just end up playing at being dinosaurs among the bluebells, which is equally fulfilling.
We are on the way to nursery again; late again, with my children’s hair glinting summer-gold from all the time they’ve spent outdoors lately.
“This,” I inform them. “Is an Ash tree. It’s a deciduous tree – that means it loses its leaves in winter – and did you know Ash tree seeds are called ‘keys’?”
“Look at me!” My son interrupts, because he’s that kind of four-year-old. “I am a tree! I am the biggest tree in the world! I am a GIANT SEQUOIA TREE and I am from America and as big as a bus and I am three-thousand-and-four-eleventy-one years old!”
I wait till I’ve dropped the children off before I fact-check my son on Wikipedia. Well, what do you know? Giant sequoias can live up to 3,000 years. My son was only four-eleventy-one years out. I might not be outdoorsy, but I must be doing something right.
About Robyn
Robyn Wilder is a freelance journalist for the Observer, The Times and Grazia, among others. She writes a parenting column for The Huffington Post and edits The Naughty Step, an irreverent parenting newsletter and podcast. Robyn lives in Kent with her husband and two sons.
Book it
Inspire your family’s love of nature with a Wildlife Walk.
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donderdag 12 december 2019
VASCO haalt order binnen voor gloednieuw vakantiepark
Vasco, trendsetter in innovatieve verwarmings- en ventilatieoplossingen, gaat alle 250 vakantievilla’s in het nieuwe Terhills Resort voorzien van badkamerverwarming en ventilatie. Concreet gaat het om maar liefst 667 elektrische radiatoren en 250 ventilatie-units van het nieuwste, extra fluisterstille type. De innovatieve producten maken deel uit van een duurzame energievoorziening in het resort, met onder andere een batterijenpark, drijvende zonnepanelen en zonnepanelen op het land. De voormalige mijnlocatie in het Nationaal Park Hoge Kempen in Dilsen (België) wordt onder impuls van Terhills NV, een dochtermaatschappij van de Limburgse Investeringsmaatschappij LRM, omgetoverd tot het luxueuze vakantiepark Terhills Resort (opening voorjaar 2021). Zo komen er 250 hoogwaardige watervilla’s, voorzien van alle comfort en opgetrokken uit hoogwaardige, duurzame bouwmaterialen in een houtskeletstructuur. Daarbij ligt de focus sterk op een efficiënte energiehuishouding.
Bron en hele artikel: rvk
Laatste dag VAKANTIE VOORDEELDAGEN: Maximale vroegboekkorting
woensdag 11 december 2019
Your Christmas at Center Parcs, wrapped up
Between trying new activities and relaxing with the family on your Christmas break, shopping might be the last thing on your mind, but your Center Parcs break is a great opportunity to purchase the perfect gift.
From a Spa Day to Gift Cards, we really do have something for everyone.
For little ones…
Nutmeg is back on our villages with his sister Clove – in our newest Christmas children’s book: Nutmeg’s Little Sister. Head over to Santa’s Woodland Workshop, ParcMarket or The Store Room to get your hands on this Christmas tale and soft toy, or get creative at our Pottery Painting Studio and paint your own Clove and Nutmeg pottery bisques to give to someone special this Christmas.
Just Kids, a store dedicated to little ones, is the ideal spot to tick off items from Santa’s list. From Lego sets and teddies to trains and Center Parcs treasures, you’ll find the perfect gift for excited children this Christmas – but only if they’ve been good, of course!
Gift Cards…
Gift Cards have arrived on all villages! Give the gift of choice this year, as gift cards can be used on anything from restaurants to a spa experience at Aqua Sana Spa.
The gift cards can be loaded up with any amount from £5 to £1,000 and are valid for 24 months from the date of issue. You can buy online now or during your next break.
or two or more to enjoy…
Treat your loved ones to the gift of relaxation. Whether they’re seasoned spa-goers or it’s a whole new world for them, there’s something at Aqua Sana for everyone. From gift vouchers for a Spa Day for Two to a Twilight Taster for Two, give them something to look forward to in the New Year.
Head to Santa’s Woodland Workshop and get your hands on a hand-painted glass bauble. A lovely decoration for someone to keep forever and hang proudly on their Christmas tree.
Know somebody who has a sweet tooth? Take a look in Treats for the Center Parcs Christmas chocolate box, which is perfect for placing on the table to indulge in a little Christmas treat.
Just for you…
For jewellery lovers, Time for Shade is home to brands like Links of London, DKNY and Ray-Ban. The perfect gift for someone who’s a big brand lover or adores a great piece of jewellery.
Visit Spirit for fashion brands like Jack Wills* and Timberland, or for fashionistas pick up the perfect accessory from Radley, Fiorelli or Joules.
It’s not too late to do your Christmas shopping at Center Parcs, book your break now.
*Jack Wills is available at all locations with the exception of Longleat Forest
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Edinburgh escape room operator will launch at Center Parcs under 'next-level' deal
Edinburgh-headquartered Escape, which operates hundreds of rooms globally, will launch two "Escape the Forest" experiences suitable for family groups.
The company said the move is part of its longer-term strategy of expanding into family venues, with the Center Parcs challenges specifically designed to suit a range of ages and aimed at a mixture of families, friends and corporate groups.
Escape founder Daniel Hill said: "This is an exciting new deal that takes the escape room genre to a new level.
dinsdag 10 december 2019
The Snowman™ Afternoon Tea at Café Rouge
Whether you watched the film, read the book or had the soft toy, The Snowman is an iconic part of British Christmas tradition.
From now until 31 December 2019, you can enjoy the limited edition The Snowman Afternoon Tea for two at Café Rouge whilst you’re on your Winter Wonderland or festive break!
What’s included?
The drinks
Choose from a great selection of teas, including English breakfast, earl grey, green tea, camomile, mint, rooibos or fresh mint. If you’re more of a coffee person, fear not – you can choose from anything from a flat white to a cappuccino during your afternoon tea. There’s even an option to have a hot chocolate.
The savoury
There are no soggy sandwiches over here! With a choice croque sourdough sandwiches, they are full of flavour and served warm. The sandwiches are served with delicious pigs in blankets or large green giarraffa olives.
The sweet
Filled with The Snowman inspired sweet treats, tuck into a white chocolate mousse, carrot cake and even a spiced fruit crumble! Fluffy scones can also be enjoyed with clotted cream and strawberry jam.
An extra treat
For an additional £5, treat yourselves to a “magical” prosecco with your afternoon tea, for an extra special festive treat.
Share your pictures
When you enjoy The Snowman Festive Afternoon Tea at Café Rouge, don’t forget to tag us in your photos and use the hashtags #TheSnowmanAtRouge and #mycp
The price
The Snowman Afternoon Tea for two at Café Rouge is priced £29.95 for two, or £34.95 with a glass of prosecco each, and can be booked here.
Book your next Center Parcs break here.
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maandag 9 december 2019
Limited Edition Center Parcs Kerst-badkleding Aktie
Duurzame warmte van Luminus voor Center Parcs De Vossemeren
Efficiënte productie van lokale warmte en stroom
Vanparijs Engineers, dochterbedrijf van Luminus Solutions, installeerde een WKK-eenheid van 635 kWe bij Center Parcs De Vossemeren. Warmtekrachtkoppeling is een technologie waarbij tegelijkertijd warmte en elektriciteit worden opgewekt, en dit met een erg grote energie-efficiëntie. De WKK bij Center Parcs Vossemeren produceert elektriciteit voor het centrale complex, ofwel de Market Dome. De warmte van de WKK en de rookgassen worden gerecupereerd en gebruikt voor de verwarming van het subtropisch zwemparadijs Aqua Mundo.
We zijn blij dat we Center Parcs De Vossemeren met de installatie van een WKK mogen helpen hun CO2-voetafdruk te verkleinen. Met deze WKK-eenheid verlaagt Center Parcs hun CO2-uitstoot met maar liefst 490 ton. Dat komt overeen met de jaarlijkse CO2-uitstoot van ongeveer 49 gezinnen. Bovendien werd er ook een warmtebuffer geïnstalleerd zodat de overtollige warmte niet verloren gaat", aldus Tomas Geeraert, Sales Account Manager van Luminus Solutions.
zondag 8 december 2019
zaterdag 7 december 2019
New Spa Days for 2020 at Aqua Sana
Mindfulness and Balance Spa Day for 2
Where: all villages
How much: from £75pp
When is it available: Monday – Thursday from 6 January until 27 February 2020
Choose a balanced start to the new year and refuel with spa, colourful Buddha Bowls and fresh smoothies with our Mindfulness and Balance Spa Day for 2. Enjoy exploring our spa and discovery sessions for the perfect way to unwind in the forest.
Pearfectly comforting Spa Day for 2
Where: all UK villages
How much: from £95pp
When is it available: Monday – Thursday from 6 December until 27 February 2020
Combine a comforting pear and nigella seed facial with an invigorating green tea scalp treatment in our Pearfectly Comforting Spa Day for 2. Enjoy all-day access to our spa and discovery sessions, refreshments on arrival and lunch in Vitalé Café Bar for a perfect day of relaxation at Aqua Sana Spa.
Book your Spa Day or Spa Break for the ultimate start to the new year or pop in during your Center Parcs break.
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Pierre & Vacances-Center Parcs Group: Full Year 2018/2019 Results
- Revenue1 from the tourism businesses up 7.2%,
- Robust growth in current operating profit1 to €30.9 million (vs. €9.8 million in the previous year)
- Positive pre-tax earnings
- Net debt down and a high level of liquidity maintained
- Strategic reflection underway to intensify and accelerate the roll-out of the Group's transformation plan
After an opening period affected by a spate of bad weather, the domain, in operation since October 2018, enjoyed a huge commercial success over the year, with an occupancy rate of 90% in the fourth quarter.
- Current operating profit totalled €30.9 million, up sharply relative to the level in the previous year (€9.8 million)
- Current operating profit from the tourism businesses came in at €29.6 million, an increase of 47% relative to 2017/2018.
- Current operating profit excluding Villages Nature Paris, totalled €35.1 million up 11%.
vrijdag 6 december 2019
Center Parcs sets ambitious fundraising target for fifth year of partnership with Together for Short Lives
The partnership, which launched in 2016, will continue until April 2021 and the business is aiming to take the total amount raised to more than £1,000,000. Since 2016, more than £850,000 has been raised through a mixture of fundraising and guest donations.
As part of the national partnership with Together for Short Lives, employees from across Center Parcs' five UK villages and Head Office have been raising funds for their local children's hospices:
Center Parcs Sherwood Forest and Head Office, both in Nottinghamshire, are raising money for Bluebell Wood Children's Hospice
Center Parcs Elveden Forest, in Suffolk, is raising money for East Anglia's Children's Hospices
Center Parcs Longleat Forest, in Wiltshire, is raising money for Children's Hospice South West
Center Parcs Whinfell Forest, in Cumbria, is raising money for Jigsaw
Center Parcs Woburn Forest, in Bedfordshire, is raising money for Keech Hospice Care
The teams have cycled more than 1,300km, jumped out of planes at 13,000 feet, trekked 40km on horseback and run more than 700km, as well as holding raffles, duck races and spinathons. However the donations haven't just been financial – employees have also donated their time to help the charities, from creating beautiful garden spaces through to taking the Center Parcs experience to children and families at local hospices.
donderdag 5 december 2019
Brown Paper Gift Wrap Hacks
Buying Christmas paper can be expensive if you have lots of presents to wrap. It can be wasteful too as you can’t use it up for birthdays if it’s covered in reindeer and mistletoe.
The easiest way to wrap presents is with good old sturdy brown paper, it’s cheap to buy and easy to fold and stick. But it doesn’t look very festive, so here are a few ideas to brighten it up which cost next to nothing and will make you feel super crafty.
The piles of present under your tree will look pretty and homemade and there’s a great way to use up leftover bits of wrapping paper that are too small for a whole present. Other than the tree toppers (which need a hot glue gun) the kids can get involved decorating a few special presents and you don’t need any equipment other than string, glue and a hole punch.
Happy Gift Wrapping!
Tree Toppers
- Hot Glue Gun
- Some straightish twigs
- Wool/coloured thread or pipe cleaners
- A star cut from shiny card
Cut two sticks to around 12cm long, one to around 6 cm and one to 3cm.
Glue the sticks into a tree shape with hot glue. Tie on some coloured thread and wind around the sticks or around the whole tree. This is really easy if you use sparkly pipe cleaners instead of thread! Fix to your parcel with glue or thread and add a shiny star.
Paper & String
- Leftover bits of gift wrap
- String or garden twine
- Gift tags/old Christmas cards or printed greetings
- A hole punch
Use rectangles of wrapping paper to create a strip of colour around your gift. Wrap twine or string around the parcel several times. Alternatively, you can cut squares of paper and slide this behind the string. Cut a greeting from a card or print your own from a printer and add holes with a hole punch. Tie on your message with a little more twine.
Greenery and Pine Cones
- Trimmings from fir trees, holly or rosemary
- Small pine cones
- Optional glittery ornaments or berries
Collect winter greenery and cut into small pieces. Wrap twine around your plain parcel and tuck the leaves, cones and berries into the string.
Add any small glittery Christmas ornaments or glittery pine cones and berries.
Stripy Stars
- Stripy paper straws – 2.5 per star
- Butchers stripy thread
Cut each straw into two halves. String 5 pieces of straw onto some stripy twine and tie together to make a snug loop of straws. Twist the loop so you have two triangles, then gently tuck the pointy top of the straw under the opposite side of the star until it firmly holds together. Jiggle the straws a little to get yourself a symmetrical shape. Loop more stripy string around the points to tie the stars to your parcel…or hang them on your tree.
Happy wrapping!
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woensdag 4 december 2019
A day in the life: Tootie the Elf
What is your day to day elf duties?
Every day I make children’s Christmas wishes come true
What is the hardest part of being an elf?
The most difficult part is helping Santa on Christmas Eve because it is the busiest time of the year
What do you do during the non-festive period?
When I am not helping Santa Claus in the festive period I spend time in Lapland and sing Disney songs to all the boys and girls and come up with brand new toy ideas
What is your favourite food?
Candy canes, I could eat them all-day
What does it take to be a great elf?
To succeed in being a great elf, you must have strength, courage, determination, lots of laughter and fun
What’s your favourite Hobby?
I love baking gingerbread biscuits for all of my elf friends and Santa Claus
Can you describe what it is like working for Santa Claus?
It is so magical that I get to work with Santa, it can be very busy at the time, but it is just as rewarding to know that I am helping make Christmas a success every year
Did you know…
- The elves ofter find all the presents and pile in front of Santa’s door, so when an elf or Santa walks out they are presented with a huge pile of presents!
- One of our mischievous elves loves to pinch the other elves hats and run away
- The elves love to sing Christmas song all day long
To meet our elves during the festive period before they need to get back to preparing for the big day, book a Winter Wonderland break.
Words: Emily Rushworth
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Center Parcs celebrates setting Biodiversity Benchmark as Woburn Forest completes set
With four villages already accredited, Woburn Forest was the final village to be awarded the benchmark this year, just four years after first opening in the summer of 2014.
This means all villages are now crowned with the wildlife award, recognising the hard work that goes into monitor.
dinsdag 3 december 2019
Recipe: Christmas Tree Chocolate Brownies
It’s true to say that not everyone loves a mince pie, but there are very few people who would turn down a gooey-centred chocolate brownie. Dress it up as a Christmas tree and you are onto a winner!
Brownies are a joy to make compared to most cakes, there’s no vigorous whipping or fancy gadgets required, but that’s mainly because they are just butter, sugar and chocolate, melted and stirred together. What’s not to love? If you make them in a round cake tin instead of a square brownie pan they are only seconds away from becoming festive trees with a drizzle of icing and a few shiny silver balls. You can even add extra chocolate tree trunk if you feel the need.
Take these to a friends house or a Christmas party and you will be the most popular guest, but do make yourself an extra batch for secret snacks or warmed up with cream and raspberries as pudding.
These cute brownies keep well in a tin in a cool place for up to 5 days
Ingredients
150g dark chocolate (chopped) or use half milk, half plain chocolate if preferred
190g butter (cubed)
50g cocoa
50g plain flour
1/2 tsp baking powder
270g caster sugar
3 large eggs
50g chocolate chips
For Decoration
Icing sugar or royal icing sugar
Food colouring
Silver balls and stars
Method
- Grease and line an 8” or 9” loose-bottomed tin and preheat the oven to 175ºC
- Place the chocolate and butter in a bowl over a pan of hot (not boiling) water and allow to gradually melt, stirring occasionally
- In a large bowl sift together the cocoa, baking powder and flour then stir in the sugar
- In a small bowl whisk the 3 eggs with a fork until combined
- When the chocolate and butter is melted, remove from the heat and pour into the dry mix and beat until smooth with a wooden spoon
- Beat in the eggs and stir in the chocolate chips
- Pour into your prepared cake tin and bake for 30-35 minutes, or until there is ‘almost’ no wobble in the middle when you give it a gentle jiggle
- Leave to cool in the tin
- For the neatest edges remove from the tin and freeze for 20 minutes before you cut into 8 equal slices
- Mix your icing sugar with a little water and food colouring and pipe tinselly patterns onto your trees and stud with silver balls and stars
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Vakantie voordeel dagen: Maximale Vroegboekkorten (20%) op alle schoolvakanties
maandag 2 december 2019
Center Parcs De Haan: boekbaar, aankomsten vanaf mei 2020
zaterdag 30 november 2019
Tips to get cooking as a family
Busy family life means evenings can be a whirl of activity as we attempt to keep the children entertained, help with homework, then get them fed, bathed and their teeth brushed, hopefully with a calm half-hour leading up to bedtime.
Amid all this rushing around, involving the children in the kitchen might be the last thing on your mind, but with a little prep, it can be incredibly rewarding, and may even take the pressure off as you combine family time with meal-making.
Younger children will love practising basic number skills, while activities such as whisking, using a rolling pin, chopping fruit with a butter knife and sprinkling all enhance fine motor skills.
Older children can develop their maths and reading skills as they help you follow recipes and weigh out ingredients. You might even introduce basic scientific concepts such as chemical reactions – what happens when you apply heat to chocolate?
And, for the whole family, cooking is a chance to promote healthy eating by helping children learn where their food comes from and the different elements that make up their diet.
Involve children in cooking whenever you can, even if it’s just rinsing salad, scrubbing potatoes or collecting ingredients from the fridge. The more often they get the chance to be hands-on with food prep, the more confident and competent they’ll become.
Remember that children often want to be as independent as possible, so go for simple recipes, with the minimum need for adult intervention, which will allow children to try out techniques such as kneading, stirring and pouring.
So, what to make? For younger children, it’s good to start with baking because it typically requires blunt utensils, with grown-ups only needed to pop food in and out of the oven. Cookies and simple cakes are perfect. Why not try my Quick and Easy Shortbread or Banana Matcha Tea Cake? Introduce more complex responsibilities – such as grating and chopping – to older children as their coordination improves. My Red Pepper and Cheese Savoury Muffins are satisfying yet straightforward (see amummytoo.co.uk for all recipes).
Minimise hazards by setting up the children’s workstation in advance. Set it away from the oven and any dangerous objects you have in the kitchen, and use a stable step for smaller children to stand on.
Of course, there will be mess – often lots of it! Put some paper down, throw on some old clothes or aprons, and go with the flow. It’s more fun if you’re not too hung up on everything being neat and tidy.
If you’re a novice in the kitchen, this all might sound like a disaster waiting to happen, but fear not; cooking together is a chance to learn together. Start simple and work your way up to more complex challenges as a family. Focus first on cooking non-essential treats together at weekends or on family breaks when time is less stretched. That way, it’s no great disaster if your recipe doesn’t work out – you can all just laugh and try again next time!
About Emily
Emily Leary is a writer, presenter, blogger, vlogger and mum of two. In 2011 she launched her recipes and parenting blog, amummytoo.co.uk. Emily’s book, Get Your Kids to Eat Anything (Octopus), is out now
Book it
Try a Chocolate Chefs Academy or Family Cupcake Decorating activity. To book, log into your account: centerparcs.co.uk/activities
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vrijdag 29 november 2019
Black Friday bij Center Parcs
donderdag 28 november 2019
Festive Spa Days at Aqua Sana
With Christmas being around the corner, take some time to look after yourself before the madness of the big day sets in. Or maybe gift an early Christmas present to a loved one for a special end of the year treat. Whatever you decide, indulge in the most magical, relaxing escape with our on the Nice List Spa Day for 2 from £69 per person, the price may vary per village or per day. Available Monday to Thursday from 2 December until 24 December 2019.
Get in the festive spirit with access to the spa from 9am to 6pm, tuck into a slice of red velvet cake accompanied by a festive Baileys latte each (non-alcoholic alternatives available). Spend the day exploring over 15 different spa experiences, from rejuvenating heat to refreshing water, and leave the forest feeling relaxed and refreshed.
For the most perfect Christmas present for a loved one, give the gift of relaxation with a gift voucher at Aqua Sana for an indulgent escape to the forest. Or why not stay a little longer and treat a special someone to a spa break in one of our luxury Spa Suites across our villages.
Book your Spa Day or Spa Break for the for the ultimate festive escape or pop in during your Center Parcs break.
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Zoeken naar oorzaak van waterglijbaanongeluk in Allgau
Op dit moment worden de betrokkenen bij het incident ondervraagd en wilden meer getuigen, zei een woordvoerster van de officier van justitie donderdag. Daarnaast wordt ook de vraag gesteld hoe de zwemmers zich moeten gedragen bij gebruik van de glijbaan.
Hebben de zwemmers de verkeerslichten op de glijbaan opgemerkt?
Een woordvoerster van het Center Parcs-resort in de regio Allgäu zei donderdag dat een verkeerslichtsysteem de toegang regelt en aangeeft wanneer de volgende gebruiker mag vertrekken. "De gasten moeten wachten tot het signaal groen is, alleen dan kunnen ze vertrekken." Er moet echter altijd maar één band op de glijbaan zijn.
maandag 25 november 2019
Get crafty this Christmas
Christmas and crafting go hand in hand – getting cosy and creating your own handmade gifts and decorations while joyful tunes play in the background is the perfect festive pastime. “Christmas is all about spending time with those you love, reconnecting with friends and family and showing how much you care. And for me, there’s no better way to do that than with crafting,” says Yvette Streeter, editor of Mollie Makes magazine (pictured).
“Whether you’re making decorations as a family or getting together with pals for a festive craft session, there are so many ways to get everyone together, get creative and have some fun,” says Yvette. “Plus, there’s nothing better than giving someone a handmade gift. Not only do you get to enjoy crafting it, but you also get the pleasure of seeing the smile on their face when they open it too!”
At Center Parcs, there are plenty of opportunities to get creative as a family and make some treasured Christmas heirlooms you’ll take out and put up year after year.
Design a Giant Christmas Stocking
In our Design a Giant Christmas Stocking workshop, little ones and adults alike can create their very own super-sized, glittering stocking to hang on the fireplace, ready for Santa’s visit. This is a great way to get stuck into the festivities and let your imagination go wild while spending special moments with your children.
Festive Willow Crafts
Handmade decorations will transcend trends and are filled with memories of the times you made them. Led by an experienced instructor, our Festive Willow Crafts session teaches you how to make your very own Christmas decoration using bendy willow fronds. A perfect way to relax into the season, you’ll leave with a precious reminder of your family break.
Festive Pottery Painting
Discover your inner artist with our Festive Pottery Painting session, where can embellish baubles, tree decorations and much more. Little ones will love getting creative with their designs, while adults get a chance to unleash their inner child. Once you’re done, we’ll professionally glaze and fire your pottery overnight, ready for you to take home. Your handmade creation will make a delightful Christmas gift for a loved one.
To book all activities, log in to your Center Parcs account. Book your next Center Parcs break today.
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woensdag 20 november 2019
“We saw in the New Year at Center Parcs”
“My husband, Alex, our one-year-old son, Arlo, and I are regular guests at Center Parcs. As well as having stunning nature right on our doorstep, the convenience of all of the amenities, such as the nearby restaurants and coffee shops, is such a blessing, especially with a young child. So to welcome 2019, we thought it would be magical to take Arlo to experience the Center Parcs festivities.
As soon as we checked in, we couldn’t wait to start exploring. First on everyone’s agenda was a Festive Carriage Ride. We scheduled this for our first full day, as we knew Arlo would love it – that turned out to be the understatement of the year! The wonderful staff spent some time introducing him to the horses before we took off on a ride around the grounds, which lasted around 20 minutes. I couldn’t recommend this more for little ones and grown-ups alike.
Next up was the Subtropical Swimming Paradise. Some of our friends had also booked in for a New Years’ break, so we decided this would be a nice activity to do as a group. Arlo and I stayed in the shallows and enjoyed the waves, while some of the others went off exploring the bigger slides. A few of the adults even went back after the children were in bed and had a late-night swim and slide.
The rest of the time was spent outdoors taking beautiful nature walks, relaxing and reflecting on the year that had passed, as well as celebrating in the restaurants (we booked ahead to get the times that we wanted). Arlo loved the soft play area in Sports Café – it meant he could stretch his legs and run around when it was too wet and slippery outside. We were also pleased to discover that the Winter Wonderland was still on, so we spent some time exploring and soaking up the remainder of the festive season. The children loved seeing the animatronic reindeer!
The highlight of the whole trip, however, had to be the fantastic New Year’s firework display. Everyone gathered by the lake, huddled together to keep warm, while Disney songs played in the background. It was so atmospheric – an incredible moment for the adults and the children. It was Arlo’s first-ever firework display, which made it even more special.
Center Parcs is always a great place to visit, but it’s extra special at New Year. Even though it’s so easy to get to, you feel like you’re in the middle of nowhere, completely immersed in nature. It’s nice to be able to switch off from the outside world, but still have everything you wish for within walking distance. From the moment we arrived and saw the fake snow falling at the entrance, we knew it was going to be a celebration to remember and the perfect place to welcome in the New Year.”
If you are spending the New Year at Center Parcs, discover one of our special events:
- New Year’s Eve Early Dining in Hucks
- New Year’s Eve at Huck’s
- Big Quiz of the Year in Sports Cafe
- Big Quiz of the Year at The Venue
- ‘The Green Rooms’ Big Night Out
- New Year’s Eve Family Party at the Sports Cafe
- New Year’s Eve Disco in the Venue
- New Year’s Eve Gala Dinner and Party at The Venue
- 1st Mile of The Year
Book your next Center Parcs break.
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dinsdag 19 november 2019
Sunparks De Haan aan zee wordt Center Parcs
concept volledig te integreren. Vanaf mei 2020 gaat het park officieel verder onder de nieuwe naam. Na Center Parcs De Vossemeren, Erperheide en Les Ardennes wordt Center Parcs Park De Haan de vierde vestiging in België en de 25e in het totale aanbod.
Volgens Paul Renders, Managing Director Center Parcs België, zijn de aanpassingen van het park belangrijk voor de overgang naar Center Parcs. "We zijn blij dat Sunparks De Haan jarenlang een positieve bijdrage heeft geleverd binnen ons portfolio, maar de vraag voor een Center Parcs aan de Belgische kust is sinds lang aanwezig en investeren we maar liefst 39 miljoen euro om het park voor te bereiden op een beloftevolle toekomst onder de Center Parcs vlag. We zijn ontzettend trots dat we met deze stap een Center Parcs park op deze prachtige locatie aan de Vlaamse kust kunnen aanbieden en een omgeving creëren waar het draait om echt even samen te zijn met familie en vrienden."
Aanzienlijke vernieuwing zorgt voor echt Center Parcs gevoelHet Center Parcs concept wordt volledig toegepast op het park, hiervoor wordt geïnvesteerd in de cottages, in de toename van het aantal in- en outdooractiviteiten en de herkenbare horecaconcepten. In februari is gestart met de aanpak van de 519 cottages, inmiddels is al 70% hiervan gereed. Zo wordt nagenoeg alles vernieuwd in de cottages: van een nieuw design met frisse kleuren en natuurlijke materialen tot nieuwe vloeren, keukens, badkamers en nieuw meubilair. Dat zorgt ervoor dat de cottages klaar zijn voor de toekomst en dat er van de huidige twee luxe-niveaus wordt toegewerkt naar drie niveaus: Comfort, Premium en de VIP huizen met onder andere een eigen sauna.
Ook in de toekomstige Market Dome opent Center Parcs haar verschillende restaurantconcepten zoals Nonna's Family Pizza è Pasta, Frites Affairs en het Grand Café. De komende tijd wordt er nog gewerkt aan de supermarkt, de vergaderzalen, een vernieuwd Cycle Center en de uitbreiding van het activiteitenaanbod. Speciaal voor de kinderen wordt ook het Orry & Friends programma geïntroduceerd en is er het volledig uitgeruste indoor speelparadijs BALUBA. Voorts wordt er nog een nieuwe kinderboerderij gebouwd en komt er een grote en mooie speeltuin.
Center Parcs digitaliseert ook het gastentraject. Gasten krijgen bij aankomst een bracelet waarmee onder andere de sloten van de cottages kunnen worden geopend, toegang tot de Aqua Mundo kan worden verkregen en de lockers kunnen worden geopend. Daarnaast worden de vooraf, in de app gemaakte reserveringen voor activiteiten, toegevoegd aan de bracelet.
Tot de naamswijziging is doorgevoerd kunnen gasten boeken bij Sunparks De Haan en blijven genieten van het park en de reeds gedane investeringen, zoals in de vernieuwde vakantiewoningen. Vanaf 2 december kan er worden geboekt voor aankomsten vanaf mei 2020.