Motor Insurance

Why take a chance on your car breaking down and spoiling your holiday? For just £39 our breakdown policy, arranged by the RAC, will give you peace of mind. Should your car break down in France or in the UK they will provide roadside assistance, hire you a car to continue your holiday or return home and, if necessary, even bring your car home to the UK.

Carisma can offer the total security of a policy arranged by the RAC, Britain's premier motoring organization. One free 'phone call to their French Control Centre will put you in touch with English speaking staff 24 hours a day who will pin-point your position and organise assistance.

Passports & Visas

British and Irish Nationals require a full standard passport to France (cost £28). All children under 16 including infants now require their own passport (cost £14.80) unless they are already included on a current British Passport. Holders of non-EEC passports require a visa, which may take up to six weeks, from the French Consulate (French Consulate General, Visa Section, 6-8 Cromwell Road, London SW7). Please note that visas cannot be obtained in advance from your local Consular offices nor at the border on arrival in France.

Your Vehicle & Insurance

You should take your insurance certificate, vehicle registration document or log book, MOT certificate and driving licence.

In France, displaying a GB sticker is mandatory, as is carrying a warning triangle and fitting headlamp deflectors. Carrying spare headlamp bulbs is strongly advised.

If you change your car after receiving your ferry tickets please do not notify us as these tickets are valid for any car, of any length, and will be accepted at the port. Petrol stations at supermarkets are generally cheaper. Minimum Third Party risks are automatically covered under EEC regulations but , if your policy gives comprehensive or fire & theft cover you may need to obtain a Green Card through your insurers to extend this cover to driving abroad.

If you are holidaying at Messanges and intend to visit Spain you must obtain a Bail Bond through your insurers.

What To Take

To set you up on arrival it may be useful to bring tea, coffee, sugar, powdered milk, matches, lavatory paper, salt and pepper. If you think you may arrive on site after 21.00 it may prove difficult to get an evening meal or any supplies.We recommend shopping in one of the many hypermarkets or supermarkets en route.

Other Useful Items to Bring Tea towels, first aid kit, pegs, washing line, torch, coat hangers, sun shade for beach (patio parasol not suitable), safety pins, alarm clock, radio, "Waspeze" or equivalent, insect repellent, Calpol or Junior Dispirin or equivalent if travelling with younger children.

Don't forget towels and bed linen (bedding also for tent clients).

Form E111 This gives entitlement to National Health benefits in EEC countries and is suitable for minor illness. This can be obtained, free of charge, from your post office. Please note the section “Reciprocal Health Agreement” on your insurance policy which has important information with regard to the use of your E111

Bedding

Each holiday home is supplied with 6 pillows and 6 blankets. There is NO ADDITIONAL bedding available on site so, if your party is larger than 6 or you feel you may not be warm enough, please bring extra bedding with you. For reasons of hygiene we do not supply bed linen. We insist that you use your own pillow cases when using our pillows. Please note that bedding is not supplied in tents.

Inventory

For your convenience we have set out below a list to give you an idea of some of the inventory inside the holiday homes:
CRUET SET; KITCHEN KNIVES; KETTLE; DUSTPAN & BRUSH; CORKSCREW; TEAPOT; 2 X BUCKETS; TIN OPENER; MILK JUG; ASHTRAY; KITCHEN UTENSIL SET; MEASURING JUG; FULL CROCKERY SET; SALAD BOWL; COLANDER;EGG CUPS; FRUIT BOWL; BREAD BOARD; GLASSES; SAUCEPAN SET; BUTTER DISH; CUTLERY SETS; FRYING PAN; CAFETIERE.

Please note that the mobile homes have English plug sockets.

Channel Crossing Routes

Dover - Calais
Channel Tunnel
Newhaven - Dieppe
Portsmouth - Le Havre
Portsmouth - Caen
Portsmouth - Cherbourg
Portsmouth - Cherbourg
Portsmouth - St Malo
Poole - Cherbourg
Poole - St Malo
Plymouth - Roscoff

Fly/Drive Options

Fly/Drive is becoming an easy option to get to the west coast of France with flights now available to Bordeaux, Biarritz, La Rochelle and Nantes. We can provide advice of flights and car hire.

If you would like to use Fly/Drive then we will reduce our base prices by £100 - click here for the reduced prices. Please telephone us for details.

Hotel Stops

Carisma Holidays offer a comprehensive range of hotels en route to our sites through Hotels Abroad. They have a network of good quality and easy-to-find hotels. Prices, for an average family, range from around £40 to £60 a night. Full details of prices and locations are covered in a separate brochure that can be requested on your booking form.

If you live a long distance from the English ferry ports, we have negotiated a special rate for you for overnight accommodation in Portsmouth, Dover or Plymouth. These modern, comfortable hotels will cost just £40 per family per night for 2 adults and up to 2 children. Please 'phone Carisma for details.

Distance From Main French Ports to Carisma Campsites

Distance in Miles

	Cherbourg	Le Havre	Dieppe	Calais	Roscoff	St Malo
La Foret	235	258	334	475	85	165
La Baule	185	215	290	398	165	115
Brem & Les Sables	245	270	320	395	268	175
Merlin Plage	230	255	305	380	255	170
Jard & La Tranche	250	275	335	395	283	190
Biscarrosse	439	420	470	548	460	380
Messanges	475	468	485	590	495	410

Clocks & Money

Europe is one hour ahead of British Summer Time during the period 30 March to 26 October

Telephoning the UK from Abroad Dial Direct : The code is 00 44 followed by the STD code without the leading zero. Cheap Rates: weekdays 22.30 to 08.00; weekends from 14.00 Saturday

The Euro (€) is now the only accepted currency in France. For exchange rates please see your bank. American Express, Visa, Diners Club and Mastercard are widely accepted in shops, hotels and restaurants. In France, Visa is the most commonly used credit card. Debit cards displaying Cirrus, EC or Visa symbol and Credit cards may be used to withdraw cash for cash point machines if you know your PIN. Travellers cheques are by far the safest way to carry money.

French Climate

Annual Sunshine Hours

CARISMA BABY PACKS

Do you have an infant and wonder if you have enough space in the car for all the bulky things that baby needs? You shouldn't worry. We can provide a Baby Pack (suitable for the under 2's) for just £10 per week which includes a camping cot and high chair.

Barbeques - The Grate Outdoors!

Barbecues are ideal for making the most of those warm summer evenings and are available for hire free of charge on all our sites. Due to the pine forests of the South West Coast, at Messanges barbecues are permitted only in designated areas whilst at Biscarrosse, Les Sables, La Tranche and Jard-sur-Mer we hire gas barbecues.

Inventory

For your convenience we have set out below a list to give you an idea of some of the inventory inside the holiday homes:

CRUET SET : KITCHEN KNIVES : KETTLE : DUSTPAN & BRUSH : CORKSCREW : TEAPOT : 2 X BUCKETS : TIN OPENER : MILK JUG : KITCHEN UTENSIL SET : MEASURING JUG : FULL CROCKERY SET : SALAD BOWL : COLANDER : EGG CUPS : FRUIT BOWL : BREAD BOARD : GLASSES : SAUCEPAN SET : BUTTER DISH : CUTLERY SET : FRYING PAN : CAFETIERE

Please note that the mobile homes have English plug sockets.

Bedding

Each holiday home is supplied with 6 pillows and 6 blankets. There is NO ADDITIONAL bedding available on site so, if your party is larger than 6 or you feel you may not be warm enough, please bring extra bedding with you. For reasons of hygiene we do not supply bed linen.

We must insist that you use your own pillow cases when using our pillows.

Please note that bedding is not supplied in tents.

Couriers

Our couriers will be on hand to help with any queries or worries. They will be conversant with the locality and be happy to advise you on good value restaurants, local amenities, places to visit etc.

Please ask to see their Resort Guide.

If there are any mishaps, such as car breakdown or illness, the courier will be able to help with doctors, garages and, if necessary, accompany you.

The couriers are responsible for the cleanliness and preparation of your mobile home or tent before your arrival. If your accommodation is not up to your standards please inform the courier immediately.

Low Season Holidays

As can be seen from the price chart, prices are substantially reduced in May, June and September. These are the best times to go to France. The weather is generally just as good and you have the advantage of easier travel, with fewer people on the ferry and roads.

Many schools will allow children to take a fortnight's holiday during the term time or take a few days off at the end of term. We should emphasise that all facilities are not necessarily available for the entire duration of the Off Peak Season.

Frequently Asked Questions

What if I change my car between booking and going on holiday?
If you change your car after receiving your ferry tickets please do not notify us as these tickets are valid for any car, of any length, and will be accepted at the port.

What Can I Bring Back With Me?
If you are travelling to the UK directly from another EC country: You do not need to go through a red or green channel You no longer need to make any declaration to customs You may not even see customs when you arrive in the UK Duty Free was abolished in July 1999. However, you may bring large amounts of goods that have been duty paid in any EC country with no further tax to be paid provided they are for your personal use. A guide is shown below:
Cigarettes 800 Cigars 200 Spirits 10 litres Still table wine 90 litres Beer 110 litres

How Do I Keep In Touch?
Dial Direct : The code is 00 44 followed by the STD code without the leading zero. Cheap Rates: weekdays 22.30 to 08.00; weekends from 14.00 Saturday

When Can I Get Into The Campsite?
Accommodation is available from 15.00 On all campsites the gates will be locked at 22.30. Automatic barriers, operated by magnetic cards or keys, are installed at all of our sites. Upon arrival you should expect to pay a returnable deposit of around 5 - 15€.

Association of Independent Tour Operators (AITO)

AITO is an association of independent minded companies specialising in particular areas or types of holiday and sharing a common dedication to high standards of quality and personal service.

AITO defines 'quality' as 'providing a level of satisfaction which, based upon the holiday information provided by the tour operator, aims to meet or exceed a customer's reasonable expectations, regardless of the type of holiday sold or the price paid'.

This is how they aim to achieve it:
Accurate Brochures - AITO members ensure that their brochure clearly and accurately describe the holidays and services offered
Product Improvements - AITO members listen to their customers and welcome suggestions for improving standards. All customers receive a post-holiday questionnaire.
Professional Service - AITO members are committed to high standards of personal service, maintained by the thorough training of employees.
Financial Security - AITO takes care to ensure that all members comply with the current UK Government Regulations regarding the protection of clients' money. Exclusive Membership - AITO has strict membership criteria, which must be satisfied before new companies are allowed to join. All members must adhere to a rigorous Code of Business Practise, which governs their operational conduct.
Environmental Issues - AITO is committed to raising the level of awareness within the industry.

And, as a last resort, in the unlikely event that a dispute between an AITO member and customer cannot be resolved amicably, AITO's low cost Independent Dispute Settlement Service may be called upon by either side to bring the matter to a speedy and acceptable conclusion.

Useful Links

Whilst non of the sites listed below are connected in any way with Carisma, and we cannot be held responsible for any of their content, we have found them very useful.

The Interactive Currency Table - Up-to-date foreign exchange details

The Interactive Currency Convertor - Convert from British Pounds to the Euro or vise versa

Michelin's Route Planner - This site requires flash. It gives excellent routes from anywhere in the UK to anywhere in France but you would be better off asking for a route from the French port to the campsite. Use the "Driving Directions" at the top of the page, type in the nameof your arrivalport and your destination and don't forget to choose FRANCE from the drop-down country menu.

French Weather Forecast - 5 Day forecast for anywhere in France plus average monthly temperatures for French regions.

All About France - A huge bank of information about all that is French.

The Vendee - A brilliant resource about the Vendee region by Angela Bird listing eveything you need to know about the area