A Soviet tourist, to the question: “What is camping?” Would answer that this is the place where “citizens resting as a savage” set up tents. But times have changed, and now this hotel term means completely different. The English word camp is translated as camp. Accordingly, camping is living in a similar place. For millions of tourists in Europe, campsites have long become a cheap and pleasant alternative to the usual hotels. Unlike hotels, they are located in a picturesque area outside the city: in a forest, in the mountains, on the seashore. What are the conditions there? And is it necessary to have a car to become an inhabitant of car camping? Read about this in our article. We will talk about the categories of campsites and explain their difference from caravanning.
Difference in definition
Russian tourists in disbelief are considering the very possibility of relaxing abroad in such "camps". And all because of the difference in determining what camping is. In Russia, this word means parking for cars where the infrastructure for drivers is created. This is a service station, a sink, an overpass for inspection. Nearby may be housing - a motel. It is believed that this is a good place for having one night out and moving on. Back in Russia, camping means a dull parade ground, laden with cars, between which tents are stretched. The conditions in such a camp are very Spartan. But many tourists like it. Songs with a guitar by the fire, dinner cooked on a stove, washing dishes in a river ... It's all good when you're twenty years old. But when fifty knocks, I want a more comfortable stay. And in this sense, Russian camping is unlikely to please a demanding customer. Therefore, he chooses hotels with five stars.
What is camping in Western Europe
A completely different approach to outdoor recreation in the countries of “decaying capitalism”. What we described above is called caravanning in Europe. And basically people stop there not in tents, but in trailers - cars (or trailers) equipped for housing. In the caravanning place, as a rule, there are conditions for motorists. You can recharge the battery and drain the dirty and collect clean water for the trailer. There is also a place for cooking - barbecue, stove, tables, benches. Caravanning, of course, are located in beautiful, but wild places. Very rarely - on the outskirts of settlements. But what is camping? This is a better equipped place. There are toilets, showers, cafes, shops. In campsites of a higher rank (we will talk more about their categories) there are playgrounds, tennis courts, laundries and even swimming pools. So rest in such a place is not much different from staying in an apartment.
Camping hotel
The question arises: is it possible to relax in such places for people who do not have a car with a trailer, a trailer or just tents? Of course! Unlike Russian campsites, where you need to drive “with all your own”, Western European provide their own “mobile houses”. These houses can be of various capacities and levels of comfort. But camping hotels also provide equipped trailers and comfortable tents.
In such housing, there is often a toilet, shower and, without fail, a kitchenette with the necessary set of dishes and a refrigerator. Of course, there are also allocated places for those tourists who have their own tent, trailer or trailer. Camping provides for such travelers not only parking, but also the ability to connect to the mains and water supply. On the territory there are toilets, showers, laundry.Another thing is that campsites are located in picturesque places, away from civilization. But Western Europe is not Russia. By local standards, “wild places” are located a couple of kilometers from the village. Thus, tourists without a car need to settle only one problem: how to get to the campsite? But this issue is completely solved by taxi.
Starry Camping
Like hotels and apartments, these tourist accommodations also have categories. In France, for example, campsites are given stars - as are hotels. But, unlike the latter, the maximum level of comfort for such places is determined in 4 *. You should not expect any exclusive services from campsites with one asterisk. But they lure visitors to a very favorable location. For example, such campsites are located on the front page, right on the beach. It's nice when twenty meters from the tent or trailer the sea is noisy. Campings of a higher rank (and, accordingly, more expensive) provide a wider range of services. The Quartet has 24-hour security, a swimming pool, a cafe, a shop, bike rental, free Wi-Fi, and during the tourist season animation even works and tours are organized. As a rule, such comfortable campsites are located near huge supermarkets.
Budget travels in Western Europe
When planning a trip to Italy, Spain, Scandinavia or France, you need to put in the budget a huge article of housing costs. How to save money, while not sacrificing the level of service so as not to spoil your vacation? Camping is the solution to the problem. Accommodation in some of them, especially those with four stars, will seem to you more expensive than in a city hotel. But this is only at first glance.
After all, no matter how good the hotel is, you only get a hotel room in it. And at the campsite you have your own or public kitchen. Compare prices in a supermarket and the most modest cafe, and you will understand the full benefits of living in such a place. The city hotel may be closer to historical and cultural sights, but the campsites are not far away from them. But they are located in places favorable for tourists. They can be found on the seashore, river or lake, in the middle of a beautiful forest or in the mountains.
Camping Vacation Reviews
Many Russian tourists today discovered such places of rest. Some admit that at first they were ready for Spartan conditions. But then their ideas about camping changed dramatically. In addition, in Western Europe, you can only stop with a tent in designated areas. For such lovers of romance and highways, there are two options left - caravanning or camping. Reviews say the second is preferable. After all, all campsites are protected.