5 Great Places to Go Camping in France

Over recent years, camping has had resurgence in popularity among holidaymakers. For some, the reason might be that camping provides a cost-effective holiday solution that is ideal for the challenging financial climate. For others, it is the adventure and freedom of camping that appeals.

Whatever your reasons for wanting to go camping, one thing you need to do is choose the correct destination for your camping trip. France is a hugely popular place to go camping, which is unsurprising given the abundance of diverse landscapes that are ideal for campers who want freedom, fresh air, and fabulous surroundings.

Five great places to go camping in France

You can enjoy your pick of places when it comes to going camping in France. However, if you are struggling to make a decision, here are five great options.

* Brittany: Brittany camping has become hugely popular, as this destination has a huge amount to offer. It is close to regional airports as well as channel ports, making it the ultimate in convenience for travellers. It also offers a gorgeous coastline, some wonderful attractions and sights and all the amenities and facilities that are essential for camping.

* Vendée: This area is especially popular with families, as there is so much for both children and adults to enjoy here. For the adults among you, the beautiful scenery, stunning beaches and ambiance alone are enough to make this the perfect destination. For kids, it is nearby attractions - such as the Puy de Fou theme park - that make this such an ideal family place.

* Picardy: Located in the north of France, Picardy not only provides easy access to beautiful lakeside locations and idyllic, peaceful settings, it also offers ease of access. In just 90 minutes by coach, you can go from your serene camping location to the bustling centre of Paris or the excitement of Disneyland Paris. This makes it the perfect place for those who want to combine rest and relaxation with fun and adventure.

* Loire Valley: Situated in central France, in the Loire Valley you can combine the hearty freedom of camping with culture and exploration. One of the great attractions in the area is the Château de Chambord, a splendidly ornate fairytale castle that will enchant both adults and children alike.

* The Dordogne: This picturesque locale provides an ideal setting for a laid-back and enjoyable camping trip. You can enjoy proximity to the River Dordogne and the wonderful countryside you choose this destination for your camping trip. There are some great attractions close by, including the Chateau Beynac, which sits atop a cliff, and Sarlat, which is a fascinating medieval town.

These are just a few of the beautiful parts of France that lend themselves perfectly to camping trips, catering for everyone from lone campers and couples to those looking for the ideal outdoor family destination.

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Last Minute Getaways for the Sun-Starved

The UK’s Johnny-Come-Lately heat wave has left us all dreaming about doing something other spend all day at work while the sun shines. But while the weather remains warm, it will probably be fleeting, as UK summers inevitably are; soon, we’ll be digging out our wellies and wondering if it was all just a dream. But a fortnight on a beach sipping cocktails, or taking a dip in the pool doesn’t have to be just a dream - you can still bag yourself a last minute deal and be on your way to paradise before you can say “Sangria!”

Tenerife – With the average temperature in July at 21 degrees (currently on par with the UK temperature) Tenerife is ideal for those looking for a well-deserved break. With golden sandy beaches, clear blue waters and plenty to keep the kids entertained, this destination can be enjoyed by people of all ages. If this sounds like the place for you, why not look into late deals to Tenerife? You could be jetting off sooner than you think.

Portugal – Nestled on the Atlantic coast, Portugal could be just the place you’ve been searching for. A perfect balance of soft sandy beaches and sites to be explored, Portugal is more than just a sunshine resort. Visit Sintra for the historical buildings, palaces and castles and Lisbon for cosmopolitan nightlife.

Costa del Sol – With traditional towns surrounded by quaint hilltop villages, the Costa del Sol has a peaceful side for those seeking the sun without the noise and crowds of some of the other destinations there. Nerja is a beautiful town on the southern coast, with beachside bars and traditional restaurants serving fresh fish and classic Spanish dishes.

Ibiza – For those looking for more than just a sun lounger and hot sands, consider a week in Ibiza to let you hair down. Known for its lively nightlife and famous clubs, Ibiza is the ideal destination for those who love to party. Due to its reputation for such vibrant hedonism, the beautiful beaches and sites often get forgotten, but Ibiza has the best of both worlds, so try and check both out.

Lanzarote – One of the Canary Islands, Lanzarote is very hot and temperatures can soar tremendously in the summer months. If you do get too hot though, the beaches offer a wide range of water sports, from jet skiing to banana boating, so there are plenty of ways to cool down! Beachside bars and cafés overlook the sea, offering fresh fish and tapas dishes - perfect for relaxing on a summer’s evening.

Photos via Flickr Creative Commons

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How to Escape the Crowds on the Costa Blanca

Want to holiday off the beaten track but also need to take advantage of the low-cost airlines? These two factors are not mutually exclusive. You don’t need to end up at the same resort as everyone else, just because you’re all on the same flight to sunny shores.

Take, for example, the coastal area of the southern Costa Blanca of Spain.

Torrevieja is a working town with a charming atmosphere, a noticeable lack of skyscrapers, and pleasant, helpful people. It’s a great base for exploring the region – up and down the coast as well as inland, to places such as the hidden village of Guadalest: accessed through a tunnel and on a picturesque reservoir of the same name, you can enjoy Spain at its very best.

You don’t have to cram yourself onto the central and popular beach in Torrevieja: instead, take yourself off down the coast to one of the many mystical-sounding coves: Ferris Cove, Zorra Cove, Cornuda Cove. The water is clear and some are well adapted for swimming (though without rescue facilities).

A perfect destination for a romantic getaway or a quiet break with friends, the region is served by many airlines. Jet2.com, for example, flies to both Alicante and Murcia airports, which are just 36 km and 24 km away respectively. Cheap flights to Murcia and Alicante make the region a great-value destination, with plenty to keep you occupied when you are there.

A site worth visiting is the lagoons of La Mata and Torrevieja – a special-interest nature reserve wetland, which you can enjoy simply for the eye-catching landscape and hundreds of species of birds which live here. You will also find here the salt lakes that provide the town with one of its main industries – salt production. Either before or after your visit to the salt lakes, take a wander round the Salt Museum, tucked down a side-street, Callo Patricio Perez.

Once you have worked up an appetite, there are plenty of tucked-away tapas bars and restaurants to choose from, where you can enjoy chorizo and a Spanish beer surrounded by locals. Every Friday there is a large open-air market, selling food as well as clothing and textiles. However, away from the crowds of this market, is another at La Florida on a Saturday.

If you are able to hire a car, it’s only a short drive to numerous orange and lemon groves outside the town itself or if you want an excuse to leave the car behind, then why not book a tour to one of the local wine-tasting tours, where you can relax into your holiday in style.

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