19 independent reviews for Family adventure vacation to France
Reviews for Family adventure vacation to France
Clara Potter review 12 Aug 2023
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
White water rafting and the refuge walk2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
Go with the flow and sign up for all the fun activities!3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
The extra activities were good for supporting local businesses. The hike was a great way to educate everyone on how to take care of the mountain.4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
Fun and active week, great for kids and adults :)James Myers review 30 Jul 2022
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
Swimming and playing in beautiful lakes and rivers.2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
Definitely bring a swim suit and hiking boots!3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Yes, many activities like climbing were with lovely local french guides. All the food was vegetarian and very low waste. We carried out everything we took into the national parks.4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
It was excellent. So many new experiences. Our 10yo says “the best vacation I’ve ever had”.Francesca Cadbury review 28 Aug 2019
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
Overnight hike to refuge was lovely. Also loved the white water rafting - I've done that a few times and this was excellent.2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
It supported local businesses who do the activities (high ropes, white water rafting, mountain refuge, rock climbing etc). There was an awareness of environmental impacts.4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
It was fantastic. Everyone had a good time. Including me! I didnt have to worry about organising activities for the children. Nor play dates nor ensuring there were other children for our children to play with. I didnt have to worry about shopping or food. Or organising and planning meals and washing up. I did some of my favourite activities and met some great new people, including the organiser, and we were staying in a beautiful house.Emma Newton review 24 Aug 2019
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
Walking to the refuge with our new friends and Saskia was brilliant2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
A great active vacation especially if your children are similar ages to others traveling.3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
I'm not sure it benefitted local people. A lot of emphasis was put on organic and vegetarian food and we had lots of discussions to this end which were interesting and thought provoking.4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
Very good indeed. Well run and relaxing.Richard Davidson review 11 Sep 2018
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
The hike to the mountain refuge was an extraordinary experience. It was quite a challenging walk, but absolutely worth it. Along the route we were treated to stunning views and a river to swim in. And when we finally reached the refuge, we were rewarded with sunshine, cold beer, plenty of food and a cosy place to sleep. A truly memorable couple of days.2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
Just do it. I understand the vacation venue is moving to a new property for 2019, this time with a pool. Even better.3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Sorry. Don't know. We recycled!4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
It was one of the best vacations we've had as a family. The activities are terrific, the environment stunning, the food delicious, and the host, Saskia, is an absolute delight. Highly recommended.Elspeth Lorriman review 18 Aug 2018
It breaks my heart to leave this review as it means the vacation is over!! We had the best week ever with Saskia and Jess. We were completely looked after and have had a real family vacation. None of the activities (hiking, yoga,white water rafting, canyoning) could have been as enjoyable and organised as efficiently without saskia and fuelled by Jess’ amazing food. Special highlights for us included secret local lakes to swim in and hiking/sleeping in the refuge. This vacation allowed us to each find our own source for life again and we have such treasured memories that will last as long as our lives. Thank you thank you. Stop reading this review now and just book. You won’t regret it!!Donna Fleming review 13 Aug 2018
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
White water rafting and climbing to a mountain retreat. Huge achievement and bonding by all.2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
Open your mind and your heart and be touched by the experience. My children are willing us to go on another vacation with Saskia and this operator.3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Absolutely, all our vegetarian food was sourced locally. Our activities were run by local companies and the children adored the trip to the next door farm to get fresh milk.4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
This vacation met our family’s needs on so many levels. We all agree it has been our most successful and memorable vacation to date. Excellent!Rob Bigge review 25 Sep 2018
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
Meeting new and interesting people.2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
If you plan to walk in the mountains bring wet weather gear.3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
It brought some money into the local economy.4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
GoodMarlene Dalli review 2 Sep 2018
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
Great convivial atmosphere at the lodge and the hike up to the refuge - Stunning scenery.2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
A car is essential to get around the area. Prepare for all types of weather. Be sure to try the cakes at 'A La Jaysinia' in Samoens.3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Food provided was locally sourced and activities were provided by residents in the area.4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
This was our first visit to the French Alps and we were blown away by the beautiful scenery. We thoroughly enjoyed this vacation and made new friends. It is not an inexpensive vacation though and perhaps the relationship between cost and value for money needs to be revised, particularly as activities are paid as extras.Read the operator's response here:
Dear Marlene,
Thank you so much for joining us. Thanks also for your feedback, especially about the cost to value. Providing great value family vacations is so important to us. We have never received this feedback before but it has inspired us to take action and review the trip and i am so excited to have found an even more fabulous eco renovated farm with an eco heated infinity
pool and bigger garden space which we have secured for next summer. We are also
bringing on board a fabulous young assistant next summer to further inspire the children,
we are reviewing and upgrading our menu and we are not raising our prices by a penny!
Lisa Hoad review 5 Sep 2017
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
Blimey there were loads! As side from the white water rafting, hike to a mountain top refuge, swimming in lakes, communal living with lovely like minded families, morning yoga with the most fantastic instructor and beautiful vegetarian & vegan food............... I think the scenery which was absolutely awe inspiring. The whole family adored being outside in nature for the week.2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
The hike is quite 'full on' if you or your kids are aren't very sporty! But it is well worth it.3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
The food was vegetarian and vegan (environmental impacts) Supported the local economy by attending excursions (local people) We were instructed to be very careful regarding taking our litter home wherever we went (conservation)4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
Wonderful :-) Saskia was a fantastic host & Jess was a fantastic chefLucy Guard review 29 Aug 2017
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
The fact that every day was action packed with new adventures.2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
Chances are you'll really get on with the other families on the trip. Other than that, don't hike in cotton T-shirts!3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Apart from driving in a car, our footprint was extremely light. We made sure we left nothing in the mountains. The vacation is all about families celebrating the amazing Alps.4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
ExcellentCarolanne Lingard review 23 Aug 2017
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
Beautiful chalet in stunning surroundings and a good mixture of activities2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
Ensure that you pack a good mixture of clothes to suit varied alpine weather- don't bring too much though as washing machine is available3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Local instructors are used for all activities and refuge for overnight sleep on hike. Food is locally sourced and prepared and living in the chalet focusses on reducing environmental impact and taught children about sustainable living4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
Excellent fun for all of the family, a great introduction to alpine activities with an amazing and knowledgeable guideHelen Wood review 16 Aug 2017
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
Hard to narrow this down as we enjoyed it all! Swimming in lakes and under waterfalls, making new friends and seeing our children do the same. The water rafting - was exhilarating but the morning yoga was also wonderful.2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
Just do it! Saskia is a fabulous host and guide, her enthusiasm for meeting people and hearing their stories, together with her local knowledge made our trip fun and exciting with so much of the usual vacation stress taken care of. Jess provided us with delicious homecooked food and so much more!3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Yes I think so, we used local companies and locally sourced produce where possible.4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
Completely brilliant!Amanda Myerscough review 18 Jan 2017
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
Probably the walk to the overnight refuge. Challenging but totally worth it. Memories of my daughter playing in a mountain stream with Mount Blanc as a backdrop; the kids finding a patch of snow to play in; cheese fondue and a beer in the refuge that night. The chalet in Samoens is lovely, with stunning scenery all around. Great company and great food.2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
As a single parent I was slightly apprehensive. I needn't have been. Saskia is a fabulous host and my daughter loved the company of the other kids (and it was great for me to have adult company too). By coincidence we were all single parents that week. The group activities were fantastic - white water rafting being a particular highlight. Picnics by Lac Blu whilst the kids swam and did high ropes, chilling with the other parents. I could go on...3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Yes. The meals and housekeeping were provided by the delightful woman living with her family in the flat below the chalet. We car shared wherever possible, walked and shopped locally.4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
Fantastic, highly recommended. We loved it and came back fully recharged. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend this vacation.Elizabeth logan review 31 Jul 2016
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
Meeting some fabulous people. Doing yoga before breakfast. walking up to the mountain refuge, fondue diner sleeping and walking back down. Great for single parents joining together and for children to have fun together. All the children loved playing with the snow high up in the Alps - wonderful memories created.2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
Relax, join in, enjoy. Take sports bra!3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
We as a group followed the National Park rules and brought all our rubbish back. we used local guides, climbing and white water rafting instructions.4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
Excellent. Life changing in a harmonising way and getting back to nature.Jane Hansesgaard review 31 Aug 2015
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
I went with my three children (aged 6,9,11). It is hard to point out the most memorable part of the vacation, as it was simply our best summer vacation ever. The chalet was beautiful and spacious, the food was delicious, our host Saskia was fantastic. The trips were well organised, exciting and well suited to our abilities. There were two other families staying the chalet with us and we made some lovely new friends, by the end of the week, it felt like we were all a big family.2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
We went with an open mind and embraced all the opportunities presented in terms of activities. I think this is important when you are planning to stay in a chalet with other people you don't know. We tried things we have never done before - like swimming by the waterfall, white water rafting, sleeping in the mountain refuge. So be brave and experience things together you have never done before. It's great for bonding.3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Through the local activities we took part in, yes I believe we helped support local people.4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
Amazing!Arthur O'Hara review 19 Aug 2015
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
Lots of things in a really enjoyable, action-packed vacation - daily yoga, home-cooked food, a delightful, friendly host, white-water rafting, a daily freezing cold swim, climbing a mountain, the home comforts of the eco-lodge - I could go on, but I think that's probably enough...2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
Don't rent a car on the French side of Geneva Airport! We thought it would make sense as we were going to France, but actually, the opposite is the case. Make sure each person has a rucksack of some kind for the two-day hike up and down the mountain.3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Yes, we recycled our rubbish and were careful not to leave any litter on the mountain hike4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
Eleven out of ten! Six stars out of five!!Alissa Goodman review 10 Aug 2015
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
The whole vacation was really perfect for us. Particularly memorable was the overnight trip up to the mountain refuge and the white water rafting.2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Yes, especially the local instructors. The chalet was built and run in a very environmentally respectful way.4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
ExcellentAlissa Goodman review 10 Aug 2015
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
The whole vacation was really perfect for us. Particularly memorable was the overnight trip up to the mountain refuge and the white water rafting.2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Yes, especially the local instructors. The chalet was built and run in a very environmentally respectful way.4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
ExcellentHoliday Reviews
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