This year we booked rather late with Canvas and took Cypsela in Spain without too much thought. It turned out so well - one of my favourite sites so far. The site is exceptionlly well run - on arriving it's more like a hotel reception. Security guards on site, all areas super clean, excellent supermarket and good pool - though a slide/crazy river would have made the site perfect for our kids (age 8 and 11). Good mix of young children and teenagers. All seemed to enjoy the site. Our mobile was in block C - ideally placed a short walk from the pool area. Lovely pitches with tall pine trees for shade. Some of the Canvas pitches though were very far from the pool - at the outside perimitre of the site which I would not have liked. One revelation for us was the Costa Brava area. It probably gets somewhat of a bad rap - too touristy etc. We found it absolutely stunning with gorgeous villages everywhere you turn (Pals, Pertillada) and some beautiful coves a very short distance from the site (Tamariu). Barcelona made a successful, though exhausting day trip with the children. We will hopefully return to this site!
We spent ten nights in a Comfort Plus with a/c (16 - 26 July). The caravan was clean and well presented and we made the most of the bbq. The site is lovely, lots of flowers and pine trees, a great pool and friendly staff. There is security everywhere but we went with a toddler and were glad of them. We ate at the restaurant once - it was average. Used snack bar in day and that was fine. About 3.50 euro for a large beer in bar, 1/2 litre of house wine bargain at 4 euros. This is not a cheap part of Spain anyway but with euro weak we did end up eating / drinking in more and were glad to have the outdoor space. The area is fantastic from medieval villages of Pals and Pertallada to the beautiful bays of Sa Tuna, Aguablava and Tamariu all within half an hours drive. (Think hire car important although there is a free bus to local beach - bit boring, very big waves). Would definitely go again and would recommend it to anyone with toddlers, but would not go height of season. When we arrived campsite quiet but getting busier by end and on last night we had people coming and going from caravans around us till early in the morning which gave us taste of what it could be like with more teenagers/adults who want more of a party-type holiday. Earplugs probably essential in July and August! Thought campsite shop quite reasonable, fresh bread baked every day. Similar prices but not as good selection as the larger supermarket on the road into old Pals.
Cypsela campsite is very attractive, beautifully clean and has good facilities but all this was totally ruined by the bird scarers going off like a bomb all through the night! In addition to this, the light outside our tent made night seem like day and added to the difficulties of getting back to sleep after we'd all been woken up by the loud bangs of the birdscarer. In addition, when our 3 year old had been sick on the first night and we asked for new sheets we were told that people are regularly asking for replacement sheets but as they come from Poland there was no way they could supply them even when I offered to pay. We'd go again in a flash if the light was turned off at night; the bird scarer stopped bombing through the night and if the kids were signed in and out of the kids club rather than being able to wonder off when they felt like it. Canvas Holidays responseThe bird scarer regrettably is on a neighbouring farm and therefore neither Canvas or the site have any influence over this. No other complaints of this nature have been received and it is a very unusual complaint. The parents/guardians of any children are requested to sign a form on arrival and departure of the childrens club and are required to be collected from the club also. Overseas department were notified of this at the time to address with the couriers.
We (2 adults & 2 children 11 & 9) stayed at this site in August 2008 in a Canvas tent. The site is very large (just over 1000 pitches). The small number of Canvas tents are located at the entrance to zone D, near to the washing & toilet facilities. The site provides a wealth of facilities. If you need more information than Canvas supplies on it's website or in it's brochure, the campsite has it's own website at www.cypsela.com. The pool (1.2-2.3m deep) is wonderfully big with a separate toddler's pool and a small diving area. There are extensive paved and grassed areas around the pool for topping up your tan. The tennis court is particularly popular so book early. The site and it's facilities are immaculately kept in peak summer. Campsite staff are friendly and helpful. The campsite takeaway does nice pizza and I'd also recommend a visit to the on-site restuarant. Good food and friendly staff. The Rotisseria Can Padrés down the road by the roundabout apparently does 'the finest roast chicken in Catalunya'. We did not eat there but judging by the number of people queued up outside trying to eat there, it is certainly very popular. The on-site supermarket is well-stocked but as to be expected, is expensive. Numerous other supermarkets are nearby. LIDL has branches in Palafrugell & L'Estartit. Even better, try the local markets for best prices. The local beach (Platja de Pals) is big and boring. There are beautiful but smaller beaches in coves nearby around Begur (Aguablava) & Palafrugell (Llafranc, Calella de Palafrugell & Tamariu). The smaller beaches are EXTREMELY popular in peak season, so get there early and get a free parking spot if possible if going to Aguablava (or pay €1.80/hour in the Aguablava car park in summer 2008). Note that many of the smaller beaches become partially or completely shaded by 4:30-5 in the afternoon. Boat trips are available up and down the coast and to the Medas islands just off L'Estartit. Now the not so nice bits: Mosquitoes, mosquitoes, mosquitoes. The campsite in August 2008 was plagued by them. They are everywhere. They'll eat you when you're inside, sitting outside, they are in the washblocks, toilets, everywhere. Take LOTS of insect repellant and mozzie spray to spray your accomodation. Also, Canvas describe this site as 'Lively & coastal'. What they mean is NOISY and coastal. The 'no noise between 23:00 and 07:00' is NOT enforced by the campsite. Loud music goes on well past midnight, noisy neighbours go on to whatever time, cars drive around at all hours and campers are returning to their accomodation in a constant stream between midnight and 2:00am. You can complain to both the camspite and Canvas but neither does anything about it. Would we recommend the campsite? Absolutely. BUT, take lots of insect repellant and a supply of industrial standard earplugs unless you sleep like the proverbial log. If you want to avoid the crowds, avoid mid-July to mid-August. The weather even in August is warm to fairly hot. The heat is never unbearable so if you like it really hot, you may wish to try somewhere further south.
We have just come back from a week in Pals, this was our third holiday with Canvas holidays and once again we were not disappointed. The caravan was spotless and very well equipped (as usual), the Reps are very friendly and always available for advice with a smile. We unfortunately had to pay a visit to the local hospital with our daughter but Lizzie (our Rep) was more than fantastic and very professional, as was James (supervisor?). The pool was fantastic and unlike many other pools abroad the outside was not 'slippery when wet'. This site has everything you could wish for in nice weather, we would however, recommend car hire in poorer weather as there are many nice local places to visit which are slightly more than walking distance. Would recommend 'Harveys' at Estartit for Sunday Roast, but wouldn't bother with chicken rositiere across the road as snack bar much nicer. Every part of the site was very well maintained and very clean, staff can be seen early morning preparing and cleaning the site for holiday makers. Areas around the placements are also regularly cleaned. Bars and restaurants on this site are also clean and well maintained, staff are friendly and food is lovely. Supermarket well stocked and although not cheapest not mega expensive either (another good supermarket just down road). We would definitely visit this site again.
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