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Three of the most appealing campsites we have stayed at have been on the doorstep of the sea. The glory of listening to the waves lapping in the early morning; soaking up the sun setting on the distant horizon is unsurpassable. The individuality of these campsites give them merits which cannot be compared but their all abiding attraction is their proximity to the sea: whether it’s the beauty of undulating hills leading to craggy cliffs culminating in a gentle descent to the Jurassic beach; the wondrous views of a superbly sandy shoreline crowded with lighthouses, surrounded by cultural, historical and culinary delights or blazing sun, crystal clear water and Italian ice-cream on a coastline littered with white sandy coves and jet-setter’s yachts sitting on azure sea. The choice is hard: Tom’s Field, Dorset, Camping Bois-Soleil, St Georges de Didonne, La Baia Blu la Tortuga, Sardinia the result is nothing but magnificent.
www.tomsfieldcamping.co.uk/
+44(0)1929 427110
Tom's Field Road, Langton Matravers, Swanage, Dorset, BH19 3HN
Google map: bit.ly/m9MI7m
www.bois-soleil.com/
2 avenue de Suzac, 17110 Saint-Georges de Didonne
+33 (0)5.46.05.05.94
Google map: bit.ly/mnoTMt
www.baiaholiday.com/en/la_tortuga/
Pineta di Vignola Mare, 07020, Aglientu, Sassari
+39 079 60 22 00
Google map: bit.ly/me2dz6
Tip 1: Get drunk with friends in pub, decide it is a good idea.
Tip 2: Book three weeks off work.
Tip 3: Use internet auction site to buy a cheap diesel estate.
Tip 4: Buy ferry crossing.
Tip 5: Pack car, include a tent.
Tip 6: Set off and plan where to go when you get on the ferry.
Tip 7: Don't make the first leg of your journey Leeds to Berlin - it's too far.
Tip 8: Head as far east as you can, if a country's not in the Euro then it will be cheaper.
Tip 9: Going to the various major cities along the danube is a good idea, Prague, Krakow and Budapest all have camp sites reasonably close to the city centre.
Tip 10: make sure you've got an extra couple of days off work when you get back, you'll need a break after the driving.
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A beautifully kept and secluded campsite overlooking the valleys of the Dordogne.
Particularly recommended for off-peak camping, the site also hires out "mini-chateaux". Very warm staff, great location with nearby watersports, medieval villages and superb local cuisine.
Camping les Hauts de Ratebout,
Ste-Foy-de-Belves,
24170 Belves
Dordogne
00-33-(0)5.53.29.02.10
www.hauts-ratebout.fr
If you are on a camper van tour, or taking a road trip through Europe and camping along the way, you can get specialist insurance that will cover you through pretty much all of Europe and some other countries too (North Africa, Turkey).
It is ideal for travellers as you don't need a permanent address, and you can arrange cover for just as long as you need.
Incredibly peaceful campsite in South Burgundy surrounded by beautiful countryside, cycle routes and vineyards.
There are just six pitches in a field next to the owners' lovely old house.
There are loos and showers in converted outbuildings.
There is an orchard. And that is it! No swimming pool, shop, kids' clubs, disco, bar ... a real find.
www.latuileriechazelle.com
La Tuilerie de Chazelle, 71460 Cormatin, France.
Tel: +33 3 85 50 19 55
Small campsite in five acres of pines 800m from the beach. All the usual facilities.
0034 938 940 043, campingelroca.com
In the woods beneath Europe’s largest sand dune, close to the seafood town of Arcachon. Unfortunately, the beach is on the other side of the dune, all 107m of it.
+5 5622 7456, Pyla-camping.com
At 1,970m, it claims to be the highest campsite in Europe. There’s hot showers, a grocers with fresh local food and amazing views, but it’s a long way from the beach.
0041 2 7283 2295, camping-arolla.com
Pitch your tent among the pine trees. There’s a restaurant, cafe, disco and shop, but this is a peaceful place close to an ancient theatre and other archeological sites and there’s a vast sandy beach.
0039 922 846023, www.eracleaminoavillage.it
Three miles south of Porec on a peninsula looking out to blue sea and a scattering of islands; inland is rocky and forested. Sporty four-star site with two swimming pools, lots of volleyball and boating and its own Blue Flag beach.
00385 52 410551, plavalaguna.hr.
Stunning site like a little village right on the beach with tents under trees, a mini mart, a tourist office, internet cafe and a bar and taverna.
Back to nature deep in the unspoilt Grazalema mountains with a choice of Afghan, Mongolian, Jaipur or safari yurts with private gardens and mountain views. Compost toilets but hot showers. Three-course meals provided four nights a week and occasional alfresco film nights.
00952 117 055, yurthotel.com.
Camping, but not as we know it. Sleep out in style in designer yurts in a forest at the edge of the Ardeche Gorge.
La Bastide de Virac, Ardèche (+4 7538 4277, canvaschic.com)
There are 24,000 islands in all and you are free to camp on any of them. The bigger ones have campsites; the smaller ones you can have all to yourself. Buy a five-day Batluffarkortet archipelago ferry pass, for about £25 and use taxi boats to get to the smaller islands.
Looking for something serendipitous, a bohemian Baghdad Cafe experience? Nothing tops this cool, retro trailer park and campsite.
Situated in southwest France in the gorgeous and historic Ariege department, on a hilltop with breathtaking views of the Pyrenees, little can prepare you for the gloriously time-warpy sight of several fully-equipped and lovingly maintained genuine Airstream trailers, each one with its own garden and totally kitted out with authentic vintage gear. From orange sun loungers to pink flamingoes, you have to see it to believe it.
Facilities include a farm shop that sells basic goods (including farm-fresh organic lamb for the barbie), shower/toilet block, hot tub and last, but not least, the groovy Apollo lounge - an Airstream converted into a proper bar house in a circus tent, serving meals and providing entertainment.
The surrounding area is packed with stuff to do. If you don't fancy just chilling out in front of your cool caravan, you can go hiking, biking, fishing, climbing, Cathar castle-spotting or sightseeing in nearby Carcassonne to mention only a few options.
Belrepayre truly is a fabulous way to discover an area of outstanding beauty and laid-back charm.
Must be seen!
Web: www.belrepayre.com
Telephone: 0033 561 68 11 99
Belrepayre is near the town of Mirepoix, about 40 minutes from Carcassonne (which is served by Ryanair from the UK) and approximately one hour from Toulouse.
I picked up a great map for free in one of the tourist offices but I think you can order it from the Czech cartographer company SHOCart.
It's called 'Slovensko Kemping, Termalne Kupaliska' which means 'Camping and Thermal Pools in Slovakia'. It details every pool and campsite in the country and is very useful and inspiring for planning a trip.
The Slovak tourist board is based in Banska Bystrica, one of the most fun towns in Slovakia, and has lots of information on campsites all over the undiscovered countryside.
Autocamping Borová Sihoť is open all the year round and it's very popular with those who want to explore the High and Low Tatra mountains or take part in white water rafting, canoeing, cycling or hiking.
The large campsite is situated amongst trees in a beautiful rural setting and facilities have been updated this year.
Outdoor fireplaces with firewood are prepared for guests to cook their own meals on - it's lovely!
You can also hire bikes and other sports equipment from the campsite.
I suggest flying to Poprad on budget SkyEurope (www.skyeurope.com) then hiring a car at Poprad-Tatry airport (www.hertz.sk) to explore this fabulous country which is unspoilt and gorgeous.
ATC Borová Sihoť
033 01 Liptovsky Hradok
Slovakia
Tel: +421 44 522 4031
email: borovasihot@stonline.sk
www.borovasihot.sk
Decent site with bar/food/internet. Popular with Germans, French and Italians. Located on a semi-island, the centre is easily reached with a few minutes walk to the trams and 7-15 minutes to the centre. The only drawback may be that the relentless ingestion of drugs leads some to play guitar badly.
Cheap for nights' stay (freestanding tent provided) and lots to do on site with bar, restaurant and swimming pool. Easy access to central Rome via bus or Metro.
Aurelia on the Metro then bus.
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