Camping !

[joanne]

Yes we are the family who just loves camping !!! And this year is no different - so we are packing up our small, super light 4 person tent (4.2kgs) and flying into Paris - renting a car and travelling around !! Hope to do a bit hiking and cyclying aswell !!!!

For years we went to Holland camping - they have some of the best camping sites - in Europe!!! They just think of everything - from tiny babies to teenagers ! And yet they are beautifully laid out - not too commerical - plenty of privacy and yet loads of activities are laid on !! Check out Zeeland Camping if you are interested !

[noreenc]

We did go camping when I was a child but I am afraid I love my 'bed' when on holidays. The higher the star of the hotel the better i like it. I have to ask this Joanne but don't you find sharing toilets and showers with so many people not to mention sleeping on the ground with the bugs off putting???

[joanne]

I would have to agree that long ago some campsites were just grotty but no longer today !!! The ones we went to last year in Spain were just spotless particularly one in Potes (Northern Spain). As for bugs - once your tent is zipped up - no bugs can get in !!! And other than the odd fly - thats all we have encountered !! But I understand your concerns - camping isn't for everyone and there is work attached to it - putting up the tent, cooking on a very small stove, sleeping on a thin mat on the ground !!! But I just love it !!! ;D ;D ;D

[workingmum22]

We're not going camping - not ready for that, if I ever will be. But we have booked a week away in the sun for June to the Canaries. I am so excited, can't believe that I have finally taken the plunge.

[sandidune]

Joanne, I admire you and everyone who likes camping. I'm a 5 star buffet breakfast kinda person. I did try camping years ago because OH wanted to try it. So we took the car to the south of France and went on a Eurocamp holiday - I have to admit the tent was fab - 2 bedrooms and and kitchen diner. But I couldn't get used to zipping and unzipping the doors!
The camp site was fantastic, bar, restaurant, pool and we were in spitting distance of San Tropez etc. I did enjoy it but we had no children then and I'm not sure it'something I'd like to tackle with kids in tow.
I'm lucky, I have a sister who lives near Lake Garda in Italy and we pop over to her twice a year.
The great thing about camping is that you bring your car and you can load it up with goodies for your return journey.

[workingmum22]

I am with Barbara in the 5 star hotel !!! And the pool of course !

[mary22]

We are a camping family too. The kids love it. Even heading off to do the wash up becomes an adventure! Never camped outside Ireland though - Ballylickey in west Cork is our favourite site at the moment

[workingmum22]

Thats interesting Mary - how old were your kids when you took them ?? My sister is interesting in taking her gang camping this year any advice anyone of you would give her

[mary22]

hi workingmum 22. We started to take the children camping very young. D was bearly two and L was 6 months old. The car was bursting with equipment. we even borrowed a friends camping fridge. We had a great holiday - we found it is easier to entertain 2 young childern on a camp site than trying to keep them quite in a 4 star hotel. Nothing like the great outdoors - they sleep the night through after all that fresh air and exercise.

[noreenc]

That sounds like an amazing holiday Mary - and like you said the kids sleep so much better with all that 'fresh' air !!! Also you don't have to keep the tent clean - like you do if you rent a house or apartment. ;D