beat the brochure

Sometimes it can be nice to try something different when on holiday, which is why alternative holidays in Europe remain as popular as ever. With the choice to enjoy a great holiday-park sense of community or a quiet secluded getaway available all year round, camping, caravanning and hiking holidays remain popular as cheap holidays with families and serious travellers alike. If you are bitten by the bug, as many are, you can easily join a club, such as Caravan Club, for support and advice on all things caravan related, in addition to meeting many like minded people along the way.

Spain

From Costa Brava to Costa Del Sol, campsites are so easy to find in one of Britain’s most popular holiday destinations. However, these sites know their audience and know that almost everyone comes for the beautiful beaches so the majority are on the coast, either being situated a 5 minute walk from beautiful white sand or a free shuttle bus away provided by the campsite itself. Of course, there are many situated only a few miles outside of Barcelona and near plenty of other landmarks so the cultural among you definitely won’t be missing out either – although it might be hard to pry the rest of your family away from the water slides, restaurants, discos and Wi-Fi that so many of these Spanish sites boast!

France

There are two very different routes you can take with camping and caravanning in France. The first is the ultimate fun-filled holiday with well-known companies such as Eurocamp offering family friendly on-site adventure activities as well as trips to theme parks and tourist spots. These family hotspots also boast self-catering (no worrying if the kids will like the food) and the ability to choose sites suitable for entertaining toddlers, school age, teens or even just couples. However, the second route is the relaxing, Parisian-style cool of holidaying in retro caravans. With just a simple Google search, holidaymakers looking for a touch of vintage can find municipal camping sites and family-run businesses renting out alternative accommodation such as restored VW campervans, log cabins and silver American trailers with most being housed in beautiful orchards and forests – the ultimate camping chic.

UK

Of course, you can always go for the cheapest but just as exciting option and stay in old Blighty. Camping and caravanning are a British institution and we’ll do it come rain or shine. However, to ‘guarantee’ the sun, head south and go for places in Dorset, Devon and Cornwall or go even further afield and travel to Jersey or the Isle of Wight. You can even get a taste of a slightly different culture by camping in Ireland or Scotland, with their combination of home comforts and amazing landscapes, you’re onto a cheap holiday that will be rich in memories.

Do you enjoy exploring the great outdoors when on cheap holidays? Let us know your favourite places to do just that!