Camping without booking in Europe

[cleggy36]

DCs are 14 and 16 so for once we're thinking of just putting the kit in the back of the car and heading off for France, Switzerland and northern Italy in August without planning every night. Has anyone done this before? Is it feasible or are camp sites booked solid at that time of year?

Thanks!

I think it's feasible for a space for a tent - my parents have done this for hotels and my SIL for camping BUT you must plan to arrive at the place you are staying before 12 to be in with a chance.

Plus it will be a lot easier to find somewhere else at lunchtime if the place of your choice is full, rather than driving around tired and hungry in the evening.

You could also take a book with all the campsites listed in it (I have one, will look up which one it is) and ring from the car when you know which town you are heading for.

We've done it every year but this year. This year we've had to book up as we've had to go at the beginning of August. If you go the last two weeks of August you'll always find a space somewhere. You don't have to look before 12, but you do have to look from about 4 pm if you want to find somewhere really nice. Usually in France, unless it's in the south or you only want to pay for one night, you only pay when you leave. We've found some lovely places to stay. We've only stayed in one horrible campsite in about 5 years and that was an overnight site, so we weren't bothered.

What we usually do is have an idea of which area we want to go to, but if the weather doesn't look as if it's going to be good there, we change our mind. The back of the Aujourd'hui newspaper has fantastic weather news that's really easy to understand .

Do it! You'll have a great time, and even the disasters will be enjoyable to tell others/talk about after the event and it does give you a good sense of adventure.