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We're big car campers at our house. We love the convenience of always having your bed and your kitchen with you - I'm sure we're snowbirds in the making, part of that lucky mobile population roaming North America, Europe, and Australia in their camper vans. We ooh and aah at the old Westphalia VW camper buses and at the newer compact motor homes. Until economics and age push us into that demographic, we're sticking with the dome tent and the Coleman stove - and that's okay by us.
Intelligent Travel posts about campsites on the outskirts of Europe's big cities - often accessible by public transit.
Fortunately, travelers don't have to bring a tent to take advantage of the campgrounds' wealth of amenities (bathrooms, picnic tables, cooking areas, grocery stores, swimming pools, etc.). In fact, they don't even have to bring any camping gear to Europe at all. Camping gear can be rented overseas (which saves the traveler a good deal of hassle when trying to get through airport security) from a variety of places.
I'm big on the idea that just because you're camping doesn't mean you have to be uncomfortable and deprived. Sure, the bathrooms are shared and sometimes, of questionable cleanliness, but this is why you always take flipflops. [You do always take flipflops, right?] Via the Boots n All Travel Gear Blog I found this little must have for the upcoming camping season. I Want One:
The REI Double Shot Press Mug combines everything you need to store, brew, and enjoy coffee in just about any location. All you need is access to hot water and ground up coffee. The REI Double Shot Press Mug is the multi-tool of the coffee drinking world. It combines a travel mug, French Press, and an air tight storage compartment all in a single unit.
If you're heading to the National Parks for your camping adventures, here's a post full of useful information Budget Travel.
Now, if you're planning to visit the same park over and over again over the course of a year, you can save money by buying that specific park's "annual pass" instead of shelling out for the ATB. For instance, at Acadia National Park the annual pass costs just $40, or half the ATB. There is talk in Congress of bringing back the National Parks Pass, but I'm not holding my breath.
And hey, maybe you're the type that needs to ease in to camping. I don't know what's available where you live, but our state park system has a bunch of alternatives to pitching your own tent. There are little cabins and yurts and cottages, all on state park land. It's not as cheap as camping, but it's a great introduction. But don't take my word for the yurt's appeal, here's a post on Eve's Destiny, Happiness is a Yurt:
To me, the circular shape of the yurt is a big part of its charm. It doesn't give the wind anything to grab onto, and it's like being hugged by the structure. (I'd call this kind of space "sacred," although my definition is probably a lot more loose than most. For me, it's safe and comforting and clearing.) The walls are canvas, much like a tent only insulated, so staying in one of these during the rain (which we did) is infinitely relaxing.
We've booked a yurt out at the Washington Coast in the very near future - it's a great way to start the season - we don't have to pitch the tent (we are badly in need of a new one and can't decide what to get) and we don't have to sleep on the ground (we're thinking this is the year we get a deluxe air mattress instead of just a camping pad). We get to head for the ocean, stay in a state park, and imagine how great camping season is going to be once it starts in earnest.
And hey, just for grins, check out this camping budouir. Whoa.
