Inhaltsverzeichnis
Reservation
At many campsites you don’t need to or can’t book in advance. This is a little unusual for new campers at first, but you will soon learn to appreciate it. It’s the only way to maintain flexibility for everyone. It only happened to us once – during the high season in Slovenia – that we really couldn’t find a single free place in a wide area. Normally, however, you will find a free spot at the second or third campsite at the latest. However, if you are dependent on the holidays and/or absolutely want to spend your holiday at the campsite of your choice, you should make your reservation early so that you don’t have to change campsites. Then the time of anticipation and travel planning is longer 😉Arrival and check-in
On arrival, you usually stop with the caravan/camper in front of a barrier or in a marked area of the entrance and then register at the reception. Most campsites require an identity card or passport, which sometimes has to be left behind. A good alternative in Europe is the Camping Key Europe, which is also recognised by campsites as an identity document and can also bring great discounts, especially in the low season. In Scandinavian countries, the Camping Key Europe is compulsory at campsites. So far, the card is only available in Germany through the ADAC, but don’t panic! In Scandinavia, it can also be bought on site at the campsites.On the plot
After checking in, you will often be given a map of the site, especially at larger sites, which will show you the site’s facilities, such as sanitary blocks, waste disposal stations and restaurant, and describe the “house rules”. Your plot will also be marked on the map. On some pitches you will even be accompanied to the plot and shown and explained the electricity pillar or the water connection. When it comes to manoeuvring on the pitch, in most cases you will be offered active help from your neighbours. Some will even manoeuvre the caravan into position or casually move it to the right spot. It is recommended that your own power connection is no further away from the power point than the length of the power cable you have brought with you 😉 You can find out more about shore power here. Once the caravan is in the desired position, level it using a spirit level (these are also available in pocket size). Sometimes ramps are necessary if the terrain is steeply sloping. Then you lower the supports and put up the awning or the awning. Fill the fresh water tank with water using a hose or jug. The cassette toilet (if available) is also filled with water and, if necessary, with a sanitary liquid. [one_third padding=”0 5px 0 0″] [apn typ=”template” template=”tpl-1″ asin=”B000297U2U” tag=”cs-einmaleins-21″ tpl-buttontpl=”0″ false=”” tpl-pname=”STABILA Kreuz-Wasserwaage – Ausrichten in 2 Richtungen”] [/one_third] [one_third] [apn typ=”template” template=”tpl-1″ asin=”B07RJ9XNJJ” tag=”cs-einmaleins-21″ tpl-infobox=”true” tpl-stars=”true” tpl-buttontpl=”1″ false=””] [/one_third] [one_third_last padding=”0 0 0 5px”] [apn typ=”template” template=”tpl-1″ asin=”B00V8FA20E” tpl-infobox=”true” tpl-stars=”true” tpl-buttontpl=”1″ false=””] [/one_third_last]Accommodation costs
Prices per night vary from country to country and from site to site. In our experience, the average price for a 3-star campsite in the high season is between 25 and 35 euros, and it can be as much as 40 to 50 euros for 4 or 5-star campsites. When you arrive, you should find out which services are included in the price, as there are often additional costs for electricity, hot water and internet. Discounts In addition to the Camping Key, there are the camping guides of the ADAC or the Dutch camping association ACSI, which can also be ordered with a Camping Card and thus used for discounts. Other discount cards are the German Camping Club card, the Mein Platz discount card and the CampingCardInternational. The amount of discount you can get varies from site to site and depends on the season. You can find an overview in our article “Save like the pros – camping discount cards in comparison”. There are also other portals that offer discounts, such as Landvergnügen, SVR and Vekabo. To find out how you can save money on camping in general, read our savings tips for campers.Supply and disposal
Power
At some campsites, electricity is charged per kilowatt, while others offer a flat rate (usually between 4 and 5 euros per day). We have a few tips for those who don’t want to experience a miracle when they leave the campsite if they are charged by the kilowatt. Since there are two types of connections throughout Europe, we recommend a camping power adapter (we use the CEE-Schuko set of two) so that you don’t suddenly find yourself without “juice”! [apn typ=”template” template=”tpl-2″ asin=”B00LYVH9SK” tag=”cs-einmaleins-21″ tpl-infobox=”true” tpl-stars=”true” tpl-buttontpl=”0″ false=””]Water
You will usually find water connections to “fill up” your camper either directly at the campsite or nearby. Some campsites also offer proper water stations with hoses at the entrance or exit, so that you don’t have to carry a canister around. Hot water is available – sometimes for a fee – in the sanitary facilities and often also at the dishwashing sinks. Before using the water, please find out whether it is of drinking quality and can therefore also be used for cooking, or whether it should only be used for washing hands and washing up. Drinking water is available in 10-litre bottles, especially in southern countries. It is best to put one of these on your shopping list for your first local purchase. [apn typ=”template” template=”tpl-2″ asin=”B001CUYDN2″ tag=”cs-einmaleins-21″ tpl-infobox=”true” tpl-stars=”true” tpl-buttontpl=”0″ false=””]Waste water (grey water)
The waste water from rinsing and washing your hands is collected in your waste water trolley, which is simply placed under the sink plug of the caravan. If it is full, dispose of the contents at the waste disposal facility. If there is no such facility on the site, you can dump it in the sanitary facilities without hesitation. Some sites also offer pitches with their own water disposal facilities. If you have booked one of these, we recommend that you bring a hose with a wider diameter.Chemical toilets
If you have your own chemical toilet, the liquid must be disposed of in specially designated facilities. Under no circumstances should you dump it in public toilets! The chemicals must not get into the groundwater! Almost all campsites have such disposal facilities. If not, ask the operator where the nearest disposal station for motorhomes is located.Sanitary facilities
Public sanitary facilities usually have toilets, washbasins with and/or without cubicles, showers, sometimes also basins for laundry and baby changing facilities. Some showers are equipped with coin-operated machines for hot water, as described above. The number, equipment and cleanliness always depend on the individual campsite operator, of course, but in the case of cleanliness also on the users. Therefore, the unwritten law “Always leave the place as you would have wished to find it” applies here as well as at the sinks and washbasins.Kitchen and dishwasher sink
At well-equipped campsites, kitchens with dishwashing sinks are available; at simpler campsites, you have to make do with outdoor washbasins. For reasons of hygiene, please take care not to wash your dishes in the sink – and of course not your dirty laundry in the sink! You should also clean the sink after use to remove any leftover food or other “goodies” and give the surfaces a quick wipe dry. This ensures that your successors can also clean their dishes there without disgust – and if you set a good example and the others also adhere to this rule of etiquette, you will of course benefit yourself too. We are always equipped with the following utensils when washing the dishes:- Washing-up sponge and washing-up liquid (clear)
- Cloth or tea towel (for wiping)
- Foldable draining rack (for transporting and drying the dishes)