Consider a vacation center, also known as a holiday or vacation village. They are in Germany, Scandinavia, France, Netherlands, and other countries in western Europe. Although still primarily used by Europeans, they are increasingly utilized by American families looking for alternatives to hotels as well as a different sort of European experience. Usually found in resort areas away from major cities, many vacation villages are strategically placed along coasts, adjacent to lakes, and in mountain areas. These self-contained resort areas may offer such accommodations as apartments, bungalows, or chalets.
Some centers operate year-round, others only during the summer.
Villages may include high-rise apartment buildings, marinas featuring boating and aquatic sports, indoor and outdoor pools, sports and equestrian facilities, a variety of restaurants, and auditoriums with nightly shows. In addition to a supervised playground, children may be able to take ferry rides and go on excursions to nearby museums and parks. Accommodations are usually rented for a week or longer. However, shorter stays may be possible, especially during the off-season. The cost of a week at a vacation center is likely less than a week at most hotels used by American travelers in a major city.