What a great holiday!!!! For the first time in years we go exactly what we wanted; a relaxed family holiday, clean pools and beaches and excellent staff on the site to help if necessary. John (the Bolero owner) and his team, both on site and in the office should be proud of themselves.

On their advice, having taken the excellent local bus service from Marco Polo Airport for 20 euro rather than 90 euro taxi (change at Lido de Jesolo, then get dropped at the camp site door), we arrived hot and tired after an early start from Dublin at about 12 o'clock. As soon as we got to the Bolero reception John sat us down gave us a quick run down, and more importantly drinks for the kids 2 boys (6 and 8). We were expecting to have to wait 'til 4 to get in to our mobile, but he took us straight down and we were having lunch (after a quick run around the supermarket), 30 minutes later. Air con was on, the makings of tea and coffee on the table....That just set the tone.

Union Lido itself is huge, but beautifully clean and well kept, the pools are excellent and extremely child friendly. Only one thing at pools, there are not loads of sunbeds so be prepared to be on the grass or concrete. We didn't get to explore everywhere, we were too relaxed but will next time. The lazy river at Aqua del Mare is a lifesaver on hot days, and the beach is wonderful, especially the section with the children's play castle. Bolero's site is as central as it promises, with a supermarket, fruit and vegetable shop, bakery, newsagent, pizza takeaway and everything you need is literally on your doorstep.

We hired one and barbecued mostly and ate out towards the beginning and end, and the food was great. The boys loved the all the pizza, chicken, pasta and especially the ice cream! They weren't the only ones! Restaurants staff were helpful and friendly and loved the boys.

Everyone we spoke to said it is a fabulous spot, especially as Bolero's site is so central. The children played happily with others from Ireland, Denmark, England, Scotland and had a great time with Teresa and Laura at Bolero's kids camp. They also have stuff for the beach which you can borrow - great for anyone like us who flew and had no buckets and spades etc. We also discovered (far too late) that 2 hours in the wellness centre at Aqua del Mare is the best investment (6.50 euro each) but well worth it.

The only time we left the site was to do an evening trip to Venice. Having heard how busy it is during the day, and extremely hot we nearly decided not to go at all. However, we got tickets from the Union Lido Information office for an evening trip with Marco Polo, which does a short trip round some of the islands then drops you near St Marks Square for 1 1/2 hours then brings you straight back. (just don't expect to be told where you are , it's more of a fun trip and includes a bottle of wine for adults and drinks for the children too). We got the bus from outside the camp site to Porto Sabbioni at 7, got the boat at 8, and back at 11.30 to get the last bus and be back at mobile just on 12. Late night for boys and wouldn't have done it with smaller ones, but they loved it. Venice was beautiful and we could actually see what we wanted, gondolas, back streets and especially St Marks Square although there was a lot of work going on whilst we were there. But avoid the bar directly in front of where the boat drops you - 19.50 euro for 1 big and 1 small beer - it's cheaper in Dublin!!!!

Overall we had a fabulous holiday. Italy is not cheap, but John and his team work well to keep their area perfect, and we were very impressed. They are rightly proud of it and offered any assistance we needed. It tells you something when people are re-booking for next year whilst they are there and others are back for their 3rd and 4th years. We will be joining them again too! I could go on and on about it but thanks again to all involved and hope to see you next year!

We stayed on two sites; the Union Lido (UL) for 12 nights, and Marina di Venezia (MdV) for one final night. We had to do this to co-ordinate flights back home - had to spend a night somewhere! Whilst one day and a night obviously aren't enough to make a fair comparison, my wife and I agree UL was a much classier, clean and hospitable site. There were very conspicuous burly security guys at night at MdV - we didn't see this at all at UL - wonder why this was necessary?

UL is much better laid out in our opinion - there are pools and restuarants dotted around, which spreads out the crowds. The pool at MdV was impressive, bit very crowded. Dread to think how bad this will get as the season peaks.

I concur with some other reviews here - many of the staff are very young, often unsure how to interpret policy, and can often verge on being rude in thier officiousness. Morseo with Marina di Venetia. I found the staff there very cold and unfriendly. At UL, most would crack a smile now and then.

Getting there from Marco Polo Airport was easy (we arrived around mid day) but the traffic going into Lido de Jesolo was terrible. Took about 2.5 hours to do what normally takes 40 mins. We did this on the bus. Probably the cheapest transfer of any holiday I've had. The ins and outs of this are well documented by other reviews in this section. One thing to make clear - YOU CAN'T BUY BUST TICKETS ON THE BUS. Well, you can, but the driver sometimes charges some funny old prices. Best to get them at your camp, tobacconists or other place before you travel.

MdV - We went for pizza at Vannin, a restuarant just outside the front gates. A soulless, unfriendly and rather ordinary place. Probably the dearest and poorest meal we had. Back at UL, we highly recommend the Sole Mare at Ca' Di Valle, which is a 10 min walk out UL gates, turn right and into the small village just down the road. Also at UL, the takeaway pizza does an awesome family pizza for around 14 euros. This was a great pizza, and more than enough for a family of four.

So we'd highly recommend Union Lido; would probably go there again. Marina di 'Venezia - I would pass this off to experience.

Just returned from 9 days at Union Lido, staying with Canvas Holidays.

Flew to Venice with Jet2 and got ATVO bus to Lido Di Jesolo then taxi to campsite.

We stayed in a two bedroom mobile home which was really good value. Everything was in good condition and working order and even had air-con.

We didn't actually leave the site whilst we were there as there was so much to do and supermarkets and restaurants had everything we needed. The prices were a little higher than at home and drinks in the restaurants were expensive. Wine was cheap in the supermarket though!

Pools were good and never too crowded and children's play castle on the beach kept our two entertained.

All in all a really great place.

We have recently returned from Union Lido with Bolero Holidays and I must say that we had the most FANTASTIC holiday, from start to finish it was perfect!

Everything about our stay was wonderful, from the minute we got off the plane and the taxi driver was there waiting for us, this was great with two small children in tow and not having to wait for a bus to take us to the resort, to driving into the site for the first time and noticing how clean and welcoming it was, to arriving at the Bolero reception where we were met by John and Teresa and taken to our brand new "home" for the fortnight (made even better because we were the first people to stay in it). It is the little things that stick out about the Bolero team out there, how on arrival some milk had been put in the fridge for a desperately needed cup of tea, to the friendliness of the all of the staff, John, Teresa, Tom and the others, they couldn't do enough for you and were always around with a smile on their faces, nothing was too much trouble for them!

We met lots of couples and families who have been going to Union Lido with Bolero for years, which just goes to show how great both the place is and the service is that John and the Bolero team provide.

This was our first holiday with Bolero and a first as a family on a "camping" holiday, although I use the word camping very lightly!! It was like staying in a luxury apartment, with the added benefits of the children being able to play outside the mobile home in the knowledge that they were safe. I dont think we could go back to a holiday staying in a hotel or apartment, it was great for the children to be able to just go outside and play.

I would definately recommend hiring a "wagon" if you have small children, this was brilliant to carry all of our things (and our two children!!) to the beach, pool and around the site. The site is very large and little legs can get tired easily so this is definately a MUST!

Bolero's situation on the complex is very central and I would say the best place to be, just around the corner from the smaller of the two supermarkets, close to the beach and the pool. If you got lost on the site you just had to look for the water tower, which changed colour on a night, and you found your way back.

The site itself was immaculate, everywhere was spotlessley clean, from the mobile homes themselves to the shower blocks to the pool and the beach. The kids LOVED going to the mini disco on a night, and we are still listening to the CD every day, wishing we were back there again. They also loved the fact that they could just go and borrow the buckets and spades and balls etc from the Bolero tent, like I said, its the little things that all add up and made this a really memorable holiday.

The restaurants and take aways are also brilliant, the family pizza was the best we have ever tasted, and it was huge! We visited a restaurant just outside the Union Lido site, called Alla Fattoria, I think it is actually part of the complex but its just a 10 minute walk up the road, and the food was amazing, the staff were brilliant with the children and it had the added bonus of a playground out the back of it.

We visited Venice whilst we were there, and it was a lovely city, the only downside was that with two small children, one 3 and one 7, there was a lot of walking and when it is 35degrees, that can be hard work!!

We have been on a few holidays and I can honestly say that this was the best holiday EVER! There isnt a thing I would change (apart from being there longer!!)

We are already planning our visit next year and will definitely be travelling with Bolero again.

Keep up the good work Bolero.