4 Coastal Towns to Visit When Camping in France

If you like to stay near stunning coastlines on your camping holidays, France is an excellent choice of destination. The country has numerous coastal regions to choose from – the vibrant and luxurious Côte d’Azur, the beautiful beaches of Royan, and the diverse northern coasts of Brittany and Normandy.

In addition to the great beaches and excellent campsites at these destinations, there are many attractive coastal towns to choose from for your camping holidays in France. These are ideal places to visit on day trips, and whether you want to enjoy chic sophistication or historical elegance there is sure to be a town that suits your needs. Here are five you should consider visiting if you decide to camp near to the coast...

St Tropez

The Côte d’Azur is filled with outstanding coastal resorts, and is one of the most popular places for people to visit on their camping holidays in France. St Tropez is the jewel in its crown. The famous port is filled all year round with the pleasure yachts of the rich and famous, with an enormous regatta being held every year in October. Away from the port, the old fortifications, the excellent local beaches, the market at the Place aux Herbes and the vibrant street life at the Place des Lices are all essential highlights.

La Rochelle

Home to one of the best preserved ports and old towns on the Atlantic Coast, La Rochelle (located in the Bay of Biscay on the West Coast of France) is a charming and attractive seaside town that is well worth your time. It is particularly noted for the quality of its seafood restaurants, so make sure you stay for dinner! It is also home to many old buildings and an excellent Maritime Museum.

Biarritz

Trendy and lively Biarritz is one of France s most famous resort towns, and with good reason – the rich and famous have come here on their holidays for centuries. From top notch golf courses to some of the best spas in France, this is the place to come if you enjoy the finer things in life. The Grand Plage promenade is a hive of high class shopping, and to finish it all off, the beaches are spectacular and home to some of the best surfing in the country. It isn t the place to come for peace and quiet but for sophistication and excitement, it s hard to beat Biarritz.

St Jean de Luz

Located in the South West of France, right on the border with Spain in the heart of Basque Country, St Jean de Luz has a delightfully distinctive atmosphere, mixing the very best of Spanish and French culture. With nearby Biarritz soaking up the majority of the tourists, it is the perfect place for a relaxing trip – stroll through the peaceful old town, eat at the local brasseries, and watch the fisherman at work. If you look for peace and quiet on your camping holidays to France, St Jean de Luz is an excellent place to visit.

Camping in Italy – the Top 3 Regions

By: Lorraine Waddell

With its spectacular mix of beautiful countryside and historical cities, Italy has long been one of the top European holiday destinations. The excellent selection of campsites, usually located near the major cities, beautiful scenery and sights means that camping in Italy offers the best of both worlds – rural seclusion, close proximity to the bustling cities, and easy access to the local attractions for families and couples who camp here.

Deciding to take a camping holiday in Italy is the easy part – choosing between the many highlights of the country is the real challenge. The three main areas for camping in Italy are Tuscany, the Italian Lakes and the Adriatic Coast. Each offers its own unique break, and choosing a destination depends very much on what kind of holiday you want to have – profiled below are the highlights of these three potential choices for a camping holiday in Italy.

Tuscany

The rolling hills of Tuscany, dotted with vineyards and picturesque towns and villages, is one of the most memorable parts of Italy. Campsites are divided between the inland region, the excellent Mediterranean coastline and two of Italy’s most impressive cities, Rome and Florence. This is the perfect choice for people who want to combine cultural tours in the cities as well as the natural beauty of the countryside. Gourmets will also find plenty to enjoy in Tuscany; the wine and cuisine is world renowned.

The Italian Lakes

The Italian Lakes is perhaps the most beautiful region in the country, a series of enormous inland lakes, framed by mountains in the north of Italy. Camping holidays here are especially popular with families looking to relax by the lakes or to enjoy the many watersports including sailing and windsurfing. Lake Maggiore, which extends all the way up to the Alps, is the place of choice for walkers and mountain lovers, while Lake Garda, located at the heart of the country, is the centre of watersports in Italy. If you’d like a taste of city life, chic Milan and romantic Verona are just a short distance away.

The Adriatic Coast

Home to perhaps the finest stretch of coastline in Italy, camping holidays in the Adriatic Coast are the perfect choice for holidaymakers who like their beach holidays. Lido de Jesolo is a lively and popular resort that has the best beaches in the area, and there is one other local highlight that simply can’t be missed – Venice. This spectacular canal city is one of the classic sights of the world, and camping in Italy is the perfect way to visit it on a day trip while avoiding the expense of staying in the city itself.