Siblu is offering the perfect low-cost alternative for ski-fan families who are swapping their holiday in the snow for a sunshine break this summer: a 65m long outdoor dry-ski slope at Domaine de Kerlann holiday parc in southern Brittany.

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There are many good reasons to take your family holiday in Brittany, France, this year. Here are seven highlights that make it a great destination for camping. If you have more ideas, please post your comments.

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There are many great ways to sightsee: by car, a gentle walk, a boat cruise — but all pale when compared to a horse ride through beautiful surroundings.

Last year La Pignade — our holiday parc in Ronce-les-Bains, in the sunshine department of Charente Maritime — launched an equestrian centre (Caliper Ronçois) with pony and horse riding tours through the picturesque La Coubre forest, and along the Plage du Galon d’Or.

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Charente Maritime is the sunniest region on France’s west coast… it really is, the French weather service says so. So combine the sunshine with massive sandy beaches screened by forests of pine trees, and fun seaside towns, and you have the perfect mix for a top family holiday.

Of course, it’s a bit too easy to spend your days soaking up the sun at one of the many beaches, or by the pools at Les Charmettes, La Pignade or Bonne Anse Plage. Drag yourself away and there is a huge amount to see. 

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I’m building up an on-going, ever evolving guide to the regions of France. Today’s blog is about the Loire Valley – a part of France I first visited on a camping trip during the middle of a 90 degree heatwave!

The Val de Loire was the play-place of French royalty before they lost their heads, which is why the region is still dominated by 160 stunning châteaux.

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One of the hardest parts of any holiday can be the journey, especially if you’re travelling with young children. The dreaded cry of “are we nearly there yet?” is a staple of any joke about family travel, but it’s not laughing matter for parents who have so much to think about.

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Here are three ideas for great May holidays with siblu, with prices from just £305 for the family, including Dover to Calais ferries.

Explore the Vendée with a GPS
Le Bois Masson in the Vendée is hiring out global positioning satellite (GPS) systems and audio tours as an exciting way for families to explore the nearby Pays de Monts forest and salt marches. The guides help children to find and identify animal tracks and can be hired for as little as €9 for the full day. A seven-night holiday starts from just £479 from 24 May and includes a £70 saving on bookings made before 31 March. Dover to Calais return ferries are included.

Pony school in Calvados
Domaine de Litteau in Calvados, Normandy, is launching a pony school for families. Children can book rides through the Cerisy Forest or take part in half-day horse-care lessons. Prices start from just €12 for supervised rides and €35 for the course, which is run by local instructors. A seven-night family stay with Dover to Calais ferries starts from just £305, departing 12 May, including a £32 saving on breaks booked before 31 March.

Science and nature at the 3D movies
Futuroscope, a giant theme parc near to Poitiers, is packed with immersive cinemas that show awe-inspiring films which make science and nature exciting. New in 2009 are ‘Cosmic Collisions’, shown on a dome-shaped cinema screen where images of the crashes shaping our universe appear all around the viewer, and Fly Me To The Moon, a giant 3D film about three flies who space-hop on to the legendary Apollo 11 moon flight.

Futuroscope is a great day-trip for families staying at Les Charmettes in Charente Maritime, where seven-night breaks start from just £329, departing 23 May, and including a £115 saving for bookings made before 31 March. Dover to Calais ferries are included.

France’s most visited attraction is Disneyland Resort Paris, which is popular both for families staying at Domaine de Dugny or Croix du Vieux Pont in the heart of France, and with families stopping over on the way to or from destinations further afield.

The following article was written by travel journalist David Powell, who describes the magic of a recent visit.

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Our parc Domaine de Litteau has just confirmed they will be launching pony rides through the Cerisy Forest from 4 April.

There will be half and one hour rides available for children on the small ponies, with prices from just €12.

And for people who want to find out even more about horses, there will be an expert on parc giving half-day courses on pony care (the French translation of this is Hippology – a lovely new word to use).

This sounds like a great idea for children interested in owning their own pony or horse – unless of course your aim is to discourage their dream!

And horse riding isn’t the only new skill that can be learned at Domaine de Litteau. Children can learn how to fish in the parc’s trout-filled pools, and Domaine de Litteau recently set up a partnership with Omaha Beach Club to offer discounted golf lessons on one of the best courses in France.

With prices at the parc starting from just £262 for a mobile home and including Dover to Calais ferries, I think this is a really great parc to pick for an early season break.

Futuroscope, the huge science-based theme parc near to Les Charmettes, La Pignade and Bonne Anse Plage, has announced lots of new attractions for 2009.

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