EURO CAMPING ~ our travellers critical reviews!

Our European CAMPGROUND REVIEW - low season until June 30, 2009

* not impressed
**passable
***acceptable
****quite comfortable & lovely
*****awesome, stellar!
CZECH REPUBLIC: CAMP DRUSUS (2 nights)
The WC (toilets) – *****
Noise factor (includes kids, crying, music, construction, late night loud talking) ***** ‘very quiet’
Internet access ***** Free!
Location (access to city and sites) 30-60min. bus/train/metro ***
Site ambiance **** surrounded by expansive fields
Grocery store **
Washing facilities (including washer/dryer, showers, washing dishes) ****
‘pay 20korunas (just over 1$) for 3min shower’
On site restaurant N/A ‘can order fresh bread the night before’
Cost (for 5 adults & a caravan) 1200korunas (student rates apply)
Exercise **** flat, quiet roads for running

VENEZIA: CAMPING FUSINA (2 nights)
The WC (toilets) *****
Noise factor (includes kids, crying, music, construction, late night loud talking) ** ‘best to be right next to the water far away from the bar’
Internet access *** ‘has a cyberbus or pay for password’
Location (access to city and sites) ***** 30min boat ride into Venezia 12 euro per person otherwise a 1 hour bus ride.
Site ambiance ***** ‘you can watch the barges, tugs, and cargo ships go by in front of your site’
Grocery store *****
Washing facilities (including washer/dryer, showers) *****
On site restaurant *****
Cost (for 5 adults & a caravan) 56euros/ night
Exercise ***** long flat roads that follow canals

ROMA: CAMPING TIBER (2 nights) www.campingtiber.com
The WC (toilets) ***** ‘new bathrooms’
Noise factor (includes kids, crying, music, construction, late night loud talking) ** ‘good for dancing, live music’
Internet access *** free at the bar or pay for a password 5 euros for 3 hours
Location (access to city and sites) **** free shuttle to the train then transfer to metro 45mins to city center
Site ambiance **** lots of grassy areas, flowering shrubs, and a pool
Grocery store *****
Washing facilities (including washer/dryer, showers) *****
On site restaurant *****
Cost (for 5 adults & a caravan) 47euros/night (kids up to 12yrs)
Exercise N/A no running, but roads busy and narrow

SIENA: CAMPING COLLEVERDE ( 1 night) www.campingcolleverde.com
The WC (toilets) *****
Noise factor (includes kids, crying, music, construction, late night loud talking) ***** very quiet
Internet access with a password
Location (access to city and sites) **** 10 minute bus ride to town
Site ambiance **** on a hillside, nice big pool
Grocery store N/A
Washing facilities (including washer/dryer, showers)
On site restaurant ***** very nice restaurant
Cost (for 5 adults & a caravan)
Exercise **** nice runs up and down hills, narrow roads

FIRENZE: CAMPING MICHELANGELO (1 night) www.ecvacanze.it
The WC (toilets) * always out of TP and very small for site
Noise factor (includes kids, crying, music, construction, late night loud talking) * very loud music from bar just above site ‘great for backpackers!’
Internet access restricted access. Need password and can only use their computers.
Location (access to city and sites) ***** 20 minute walk to Uffizi Gallery! Best part of this campground! Can take the bus into town. Stop right at campground.
Site ambiance *** on a hillside with olive groves, very pretty, great views of Florence.
Grocery store ‘didn’t go in, limited times open’
Washing facilities (including washer/dryer, showers) * limited, too small for size of campground
On site restaurant **** nice patio overlooking Florence
Cost (for 5 adults & a caravan) 67 euros / night. Most expensive campground.
Exercise ***nice tree lined roads

CINQUE TERRA-LEVANTO: AQUA DOLCE (3 nights) one of our favorite areas!! A must!
The WC (toilets) *****
Noise factor (includes kids, crying, music, construction, late night loud talking) **** a lot of tiny kids running around and people talking into the night, but mostly quiet after 10pm
Internet access ***** free!
Location (access to city and sites) ***** 2 minute walk to the beach & town
Site ambiance **** very busy campsite, lower levels for caravans, upper area for tents, on a hillside
Grocery store-no grocery store onsite. 3 stores in town 5 minutes away, good prices.
Washing facilities (including washer/dryer, showers) *****
On site restaurant *****
Cost (for 5 adults & a caravan) 56 euros / night
Exercise ***** great runs along the beach and up in the hills
Additional: full recycling bins available


COTE D’ AZUR: LA VIELLE FERME
The WC (toilets) ** co-ed
Noise factor (includes kids, crying, music, construction, late night loud talking) crying dogs!! *****Meg says this site is like a senior center
Internet access *** pay for use
Location (access to city and sites) **** close to the beaches, 2km from Antibes
Site ambiance **
Grocery store ** can get fresh baguette in the morning
Washing facilities (including washer/dryer, showers) ** co-ed
On site restaurant N/A didn’t go, very small with patio tables
Cost (for 5 adults & a caravan) 30 euros/night with 10% magic Europe discount.
Exercise **** large park with jogging trails right next door

COTE D’ AZUR: PARC DU MAURETTE (a couple kms away from the above one)
The WC (toilets) **** co-ed
Noise factor (includes kids, crying, music, construction, late night loud talking) crying dogs!! ***** very quiet
Internet access: pay for use & very expensive
Location (access to city and sites) walk to beach & train station
Site ambiance: ***** stone walls, huge trees, bbq’s available, parklike setting
Grocery store: have to walk .4 km to large marche – good prices, excellent croissants and baguettes.
Washing facilities (including washer/dryer, showers) lots of showers with space for hanging clothes. Limited washer/dryer
On site restaurant: None available
Cost (for 5 adults & a caravan) 45euros-no discount anymore starting July 1st.
Exercise: run through extensive park.
Other: has jacuzzis and sauna.

AIX EN PROVENCE: CAMPING CHANTECLER
The WC (toilets) ***
Noise factor (includes kids, crying, music, construction, late night loud talking) crying dogs!! **** if you’re away from the bar/restaurant area
Internet access pay for use and most expensive (6euro/per hour!)
Location (access to city and sites) the book says a 30 min walk to the city
Site ambiance *** has a quaint little park area, but run down
Grocery store N/A
Washing facilities (including washer/dryer, showers) showers ***
On site restaurant: **** nice ambiance, lots of outdoor tables
Cost (for 5 adults & a caravan) 46euros
Exercise: street roads, didn’t go running today

PONT DU GARD: CAMPING LA SOUSTA
The WC (toilets) squatters only **
Noise factor (includes kids, crying, music, construction, late night loud talking) crying dogs!! **** restaurant area has a dj @night. Noise till 11pm then quiet
Internet access Free internet with your own wireless, otherwise 3euros for 30mins.
Location (access to city and sites) can take bus to Avignon in 30 mins. 1km walk to the Pont Du Gard.
Site ambiance ***** gorgeous parklike setting with large flat sites close to the Rhone river which you can swim in. Huge trees everywhere. Very beautiful area.
Grocery store: fresh croissants in morning, some supplies, not bad
Washing facilities (including washer/dryer, showers) showers **** co-ed
On site restaurant: **** nice ambiance, lots of outdoor tables (didn’t eat)
Cost (for 5 adults & a caravan) 52euros
Exercise: great treelined roads for running and only 1km to the Pont du Gard with more trails. Swimming in the river afterwards- Excellent!

LA SALLE-AOSTA ITALY: CAMPING GREEN PARK
www.greenparkcamping.com
(there are a lot of small campgrounds scattered along the road Morgex & Aosta-stay off the autostrada & take the smaller road)
The WC (toilets) *** combo of squatters and sitters
Noise factor (includes kids, crying, music, construction, late night loud talking) crying dogs!! ***** very quiet
Internet access pay for use.
Location (access to city and sites) *** in between Mont Blanc and Aosta. In a great area for hiking and exploring. A series of small towns.
Site ambiance: ***great view of Mont Blanc when it’s not clouded over. Changeable weather. Most of the spots are for permanent campers. Just a few open for caravans and tents.
Grocery store: * had to take a nice walk to the town about 1 km away
Washing facilities (including washer/dryer, showers) ***** great pressure in the showers and lots of hot water
On site restaurant: ***lots of pizzas to choose from. Decent caps in the morning
Cost (for 5 adults & a caravan) 54euros – mid season prices still
Exercise: ***could be nice for running-hilly. Didn’t go. Took a walk into the small town.

ZERMATT: TASCH CAMPING
The WC (toilets) **** upgraded the facilities since we were here 2 years ago. Much nicer, lots of hot water.
Noise factor (includes kids, crying, music, construction, late night loud talking) crying dogs!! **** very quiet, except for the train shuttle that goes back and forth to Zermatt. Stops at midnight.
Internet access: pay for use 3francs/hr
Location (access to city and sites) ***** right next to the main train terminal that goes into Zermatt. You can’t access Zermatt by your own car. Tasch is the last place before Zermatt.
Site ambiance: ** Mountains around are nice, but it’s a narrow strip of grass up against a mountain. Not a large site. Fairly basic for any extras.
Grocery store: no, but there are grocery stores in Tasch a few minutes walk away.
Washing facilities (including washer/dryer, showers) showers: **** lots of hot water
On site restaurant: No
Cost (for 5 adults & a caravan)
Exercise: ****flat running trail by the campsite or great running up in Zermatt on the trails. Zermatt marathon happens July 4th.


LAUTERBRAUNNEN: CAMPING JUNGFRAU
The WC (toilets) *****
Noise factor (includes kids, crying, music, construction, late night loud talking) crying dogs!! ****
Internet access: bought 30 hours for 45 francs
Location (access to city and sites)
Site ambiance *****
Grocery store *****
Washing facilities (including washer/dryer, showers) showers *****
On site restaurant: *****
Cost (for 5 adults & a caravan) 75francs
Exercise: *****

Jungfrau mountains in the Lauterbraunnen Valley - CH

July 9.09 – Drive from Zermatt to Lauterbraunnen
Arrived around 4pm set up camp and took it easy. Meg and I went for a run up the valley, amazing mountain views all around us as we run our way up to Stechelberg about 3 km up the valley.

I’m back home!!

July 10.09 – Jungfrau Camping

First hike and train riding. Went up to First and the lake then back again to the lift. Lots of clouds making it hard to see the massive, gorgeous mountains that I know are tucked away behind them. Fantastic to be back here!!

Bought a 6 day rail pass for the area for 200CH. Best buy as you get your money’s worth in about 1.5days of riding trains and gondolas.

Brownings arrive in pm

July 11.09 – Hike with Brownings

Hiked back up to First and over the col and down to Faulhorn and onto Bussalp dropping 700m where we caught the bus back to Grindelwald. Left at 10:30am back at 6:30pm
Overcast with some sun in the afternoon. Glimpses of mountain peaks. Geoff, Megin and I came back through Kleine Sheidegg and the sun came out along with the mountains and glaciers. Very beautiful. Went for a run in the evening and mom bought some fresh unpasteurized goat cheese and butter from the house just up the way. So fresh and delicious. We gobbled down the goat cheese in no time. Cleared right up in the evening. Lots of stars out. Kev, Geoff and the kids played poker till 11pm.

July 12.09 – Hike under the North face of the Eiger with the whole team!

High overcast this morning so the mountains were all visible. We all went for a hike up the Eiger trail. Great visibility! Up 700meters. A good hike was had by all although Brendan lost his favorite hoodie into a rushing stream of glacier water.
Took the train down from the Eigergletscher. Took us 4 ½ hours to hike. The threat of rain loomed over us in the afternoon, but otherwise we were lucky with the weather.
Delicious pasta dinner with tomato, mozzarella, artichoke, garlic with oil and brushetta.


July 13.09 – Sunny day!!! Mountain biking!

We all ventured off on our own this morning after we secured our mtn bikes. The Brownings went and gained elevation from Wengen to Kleine Sheidegg – 600m up, we went with our Specialized bikes up to First on the gondola, mom went to Interlaken and Murren.

July 14.09 – Hike with mom, Geoff and I from Mannlichen to Kleine Sheidegg then through the alpine meadows to Wengeralp and took the train back to Lauterbraunnen. One of the most beautiful meadow hikes I’ve done in many years.

Brendan, Megin, and Emily went whitewater rafting and had a blast while Kevin and Mary went up Murren way for more biking.

A great day was had by all!! I will miss this area so much!

July 15.09 – heading out back to Zurich for one night then onto Frankfurt on the 16th.
July 16.09 – overnight at the hostel we started out with, we’ve come full circle. An exciting night in the red light district with cops trying to bust someone in the building next door to us.
July 17.09 – our flight out in the morning to Toronto. Mom on one flight, us on the other.

A fantastic trip that I could do again quite easily! Camping in Europe is awesome and such a fun experience. The campgrounds are like mini resorts, no ‘ruffin’ it at these sites. In fact, we began to rate the campsites for various amenities that we appreciated. You can see in the next post our critical reviews of all the campsites we stayed at.

Petite & Grand Saint Bernard Passes

July 7.09 – heading into the mountains back over to Italy

We were going to leave at 7am but since we didn’t get to sleep till after 1:00am ( I think from the late night coffee & dessert stop we had in town) and I could hear rain all morning, we all subconsciously decided to postpone the early morning takeoff. The clouds were lifting a bit by time we left around 11:00am after buying a bunch of yummy food from the marche. Basic supermarkets carry such good food, it’s hard not to get excited shopping. Found some excellent yogurt, fresh assorted olives, a huge round of brie and other assorted bries. We stocked up on our chocolate yesterday in Annecy at another marche.

We drove out along the lake, the same way the Tour de France will be coming through July 21st towards Albertville and then headed up Col Petite San Bernardo pass, the divide between France and Italy. We decided we needed another little bit of Italy before Switzerland (and some decent caps). The top of the pass is at 2188m
and is none too warm. After being down in Annecy where we were basking in sunshine, we were now in real mountain air, fresh and nippy. Had some lunch and then headed out for a hike to Lac Verny. Great alpine hiking on small goat trails. Once back we passed over the line into Italy and had our cappuccinos at the Ristorante S. Bernardo. The decent down was much better than our last experience coming down Mount Ventoux. We are slowly cruising down in 1st & 2nd to save the brakes. We learn that the Tour de France will be coming through this pass and down the other side going through the small towns of Thuile and Pre-Saint-Didier. Amazing to think that the race goes along these small roads and up and down huge mountain passes. I’ve never seen so many cyclists riding these passes. From Annecy up to here and down the other side there has been a continuous stream of riders, many of them older.

We weren’t sure where we were camping tonight so we started looking for a campsite once we were completely down the mountain. You go East once Pre-Saint-Didier passed and head towards Aosta. Along this road that parallels the autostrada there are a number of decent campsites. This might even be an area to consider spending a few days in as each small town has something interesting to offer whether it’s hiking, rafting, spaing, or just taking in Mont Blanc (when visible) or relaxing in the country. We found Camping Green Park partly by accident as they were the ones with the most signage. It is a site with many permanent campers and only a few for transient campers. The site is good though for us and the weather has clouds rolling in and out. We set ourselves up and make some boiled French potatoes with mushrooms, onions, and garlic in a pesto sauce. Mom and I go for a walk down the country road to explore the tiny town 1 km away. The houses here are all built with a combination of rock and wood and huge slate slabs used like shingles on the roofs. Very beautiful stone work.

July 8.09 – Up and away by 10:00 towards Grand Saint Bernardo pass our gateway to Suisseland!

We poked our head out the skylight window at 8:00am and the sky was clear and Mont Blanc was staring right at us! A huge massive of rock covered in snow with one of the many glaciers we could see hanging off of it. We couldn’t see any of this last night so a great treat to view it this morning. We ventured up to the café for morning caps and started at Mont Blanc. By time we walked back down to our site the clouds had moved in over it. We still had sunshine on our caravan so enjoyed breakfast, a great shower and then packed up ready for our next pass of Colle de Grand Saint Bernardo if you’re in Italy or Col d. Grand Saint Bernard if you’re in Switzerland. The road up had a lot of road work going on which was not supervised for passing cars, but as we ascended the road became smoother and a little wider. The switchbacks going up are incredible and the views astounding. At the top is a hostel type hotel you can stay in which used to be where monks lived and trained the Saint Bernard dogs for rescue. It is so cold up here at 2469m that we are not inclined to do any hiking. At one point it started sleet/hailing a bit. We had our last bit of Italy in the restaurant and then were waived in by the polizei to Switzerland. They have a post at both passes where the French, Italian, and Swiss Police man a border post.

The decent down was steeper than yesterday and took about 45 minutes to get down. There is a tunnel the trucks take as the road is impassable for larger vehicles. We came out at Martigny and then took a flat, direct route to Zermatt. We had a fairly blue sky day with some puffy clouds. We arrived at a campsite in Tasch we had been to before at 4:30pm and then promptly made our way for the train shuttle up to Zermatt. 15 francs each and half for Brendan.

We did a nice hike up for Furri and back down into Zermatt. The sun was out up in Furri which made for pleasant early evening walking. Mom and the kids went back down after 30mins of hiking up the road towards the trail. There are restaurants all the way up the mountain so you’ll never go hungry. Food is not cheap though in these places. Got back down at 7:30pm and caught the 8:00pm train only to find mom and the kids on it as well.

This is the coldest spot we’ve been in. We’re all chilly and have all the windows closed! Tomorrow we head to Lauterbraunnen Valley!!

Continuing on in Europe!

July 4.09 – Looked around Avignon left at noon.

Drove up another mountain pass and deep gorge. Made it to the top of Mont Venoux where the Tour de France actually rides. 10,000 cyclists blast up this mountain road and it’s a steady steep climb up. Drove down very slowly with a 10-12% grade it wasn’t friendly to the brakes.

Drove into the night and slept in a rest stop just past Grenoble.

July 5.09 –Annecy arriving around 10:30am.

Another hot sunny day so made our way to the public beach along Lac Annecy. A busy place with loads of people riding bikes, sunning, walking, even a bike race passing through which I found out was part of a triathalon. I could’ve made the race!! These guys looked pretty serious though. This is one active place. The water is the cleanest in all of Europe for a large lake. It is turquoise and clear. A beautiful temperature. The people are lucky here to have such an amazing lake. Mountains surround the lake except where the old town of Annecy is tucked away. I looked up towards the top of the mountain and suddenly saw about 30 paragliders way up there floating along the ridge. Came back and cleaned out our fridge for dinner then took advantage of the internet. Went for a late night run with Meg. Tired and went to bed in the house while the rest of the clan choose the caravan.

July 6.09 – Annecy – 2nd night

More glorious sunshine. Getting ready to explore town with Corry’s daughter, Marie. Ended up spending another night as the day was so beautiful, it was hard to leave. We made some tortellini and went down to lac Annecy with our dinner, mom and I had a swim at 8:00pm, the water still so warm and inviting. Lots of people are out riding their bikes, swimming, hanging out having picnics. Parking our caravan is always a challenge and takes patience to drive around town and find something on the street as there are height restrictions getting into parking lots. After dinner we walked around the old town area again and found a creperie for some dessert. Homemade dark chocolate sauce with almonds all wrapped up in a sweet wheat flour crepe was quite yummy. Mom had hers with chocolate and coconut and Geoff had an espresso ice cream sundae. We’ve finally figured out how to order coffee in France and now we’re leaving. Café crème is how you basically get an espresso with warm milk on the side. If it’s a petite café crème you get one shot of espresso with a little water added, but if it’s a grand café crème you get a more regular size looking cup with milk included. This is important information for coffee lovers in order to get your cup of morning java just right! As all of Europeans go, they love to eat late. All the restaurants are full of families and couples enjoying a full meal at 9:30 or 10:00pm. I just can’t eat so much food that late, but everyone here seems to love it. Took some great night shots as you can see in Geoff’s, Annecy Select photos he posted on facebook. They’re on my site as well. More pics to come, but it’s hard to keep up with the days. No rain or thunder today. The moon is making it’s way to fullness and should be ripe by tomorrow night.