Camping is nature experience in perfection. As soon as you wake up, you can hear the sounds of nature, the chirping of birds or the sound of water. The desire for an outdoor day full of discoveries increases. So it’s no wonder that a vacation in a tent is so popular.
Why camping is so much fun
Camping is fun! Whether you’re on a relaxing camping vacation with kids, cycling or trekking, camping has many advantages:
- Closeness to nature
- Adventure
- Flexibility
- Cost-effective
Of course, there are a thousand other reasons why you should definitely try camping, if you haven’t already. In any case, this article will provide you with some useful information.
The right campsite
In order to enjoy your vacation with tent optimally, it is worthwhile to find the suitable vacation region first. What are you looking for? A hiking vacation, a boat trip or would you rather explore nature by bike? Many campsites offer a whole range of leisure activities in the immediate vicinity. The facilities are also very different: from nature camping in the forest without running water to comfort campsites with sauna and wellness area, everything is available. You can search online for campsites all over Europe at Eurocampings, for example. Below you will also find our personal favorites.
In the high season you should book your campsite in advance. The occupancy rate is often high. Especially if you arrive by bike, on foot or by public transport and then the campsite is fully booked, it would be annoying.
Wild camping: Is it allowed?
Camping at the campsite isn’t enough of a nature experience for you? Would you rather set up camp in a secluded forest clearing? For many, this idea sounds like pure freedom. But beware! Wild camping is not allowed in Germany and in many other countries or only under certain conditions. How you can still get your money’s worth if you want to spend the night in untouched nature and what you should pay attention to, you can read in our article wild camping permitted? Where you are allowed to wild camp in Germany – and where not.
Nature camping – a good alternative to wild camping
If you want to spend your vacation close to nature, but don’t want to miss out on a little comfort, you should take a look at the concept of nature camping. Nature campsites are usually much smaller than conventional campsites, often secluded and ideal as a stopover for trekking tours. The sanitary facilities here are perhaps a bit more rudimentary, but there are fireplaces and certainly no RVs or permanent campers. We have collected a few highlights for you here:
The right equipment for camping
Whether the vacation in the tent will be a success depends a lot on the equipment. After all, you don’t want to wake up with back pain because you feel every stone on hard ground. You can probably also do without the experience of getting completely soaked in a leaky tent with all your luggage. So it’s worth doing some research before buying your equipment. You don’t necessarily have to spend a fortune on good camping equipment. The main thing is not to save money in the wrong place.
For sleeping you basically need a tent, a sleeping bag and a sleeping pad. If you only want to camp in temperate areas in the summer, a light sleeping bag will suffice. However, keep in mind that it can get cold in the mountains at night, even in summer. As for the sleeping pad, you might not want to go for the cheapest model – especially if you plan to use it regularly. More comfort than the simple models made of foam offer self-inflating mats, which can still be folded to a compact pack size.
Find the right tent: Camping or trekking tent – Which tent type are you?
The right backpack for your camping vacation
Just as important as your tent is the right backpack. Depending on the weather, the season and the way you move around, it can be quite difficult to comfortably store and transport all your luggage. You can find some information about backpacks here:
Hiking backpack or trekking backpack – Which backpack is right for me?
How to pack you trekking backpack correctly
Cooking while camping
To ensure that your vacation with a tent is also a culinary success, you should think about how you want to provide for yourself before your outdoor trip. If you don’t want to stop in for every meal, you can prepare a few simple and delicious dishes with the spirit stove without much effort. You can find out how here:
Camping Kitchen – Cooking ideas for your next camping trip
Outdoor recipes to cook – part 1
Outdoor recipes to cook – part 2
Outdoor recipes to cook – part 3
Survival knowledge for comfort and safety while camping
When camping, the survival expert in you is needed: How do you make the right fire, where are you best protected during thunderstorms and what should you absolutely have with you for your safety? We have collected a few answers for you:
Campfires: how to make fire and where it’s allowed
Camping in a thunderstorm – How to protect yourself from lightning
Basic outdoor knowledge – What to do in emergencies
Travel first-aid kit packing list – What you really need when travelling sick
Sleep outside without tent
Sleeping outside without a tent? Sounds adventurous at first and may not be for everyone. But the experience of falling asleep under the stars and being woken up by the sunrise is unique. Here you can find out how to make sleeping under the stars a pleasant experience. A bivy sack and tarp are useful companions – that much is already revealed.
Bivouacking: Sleeping under the stars
All-Round Talent: The Tarp – Bed canopy, sun awning, rain protection
Basic Knowledge: Erecting a tarp – How to use your tarp in different ways
Tent repair and care – this is how it works
In order to enjoy your equipment for as long as possible, it is important to maintain and care for it. This also applies to your tent. Here you can find out how to clean your tent, how to renew the waterproofing and how to store it best. You should also be prepared for minor damage to your tent. What to do in case of holes, tears or a broken tent pole? You can find answers to these questions in the following articles:
5 tips for the correct storage and maintenance of tents
Tent repair – How to quickly help yourself
Tour tips
The great thing about camping is that you can do it practically anywhere – by the sea, in the mountains or by the river. As long as you can find a place for your tent where camping is allowed, there are no limits to your exploration. Here are a few regions that we can particularly recommend:
Outdoor vacation in Soca Valley in Slovenia
Feel-good campsites in Germany
Camping with kids – How to make your camping vacation a success
To start with, try it out first
Have you caught camping fever? Then try it out right away – preferably for a few days first! Because a vacation in a tent doesn’t mean relaxation for everyone. So don’t plan your entire annual vacation for your tent adventure. On a weekend with two overnight stays you can find out quite relaxed whether vacation in the tent is really something for you and who knows – maybe you can imagine no other vacation afterwards!
