Camp your way through the credit crunch

A European camping holiday may be the answer to beat the doom and gloom of the credit crunch overshadowing this year’s summer holidays. With holidaymakers being hit by last minute package holiday and airline fuel surcharges, camping is fast becoming as the most affordable option for many.

One of the key factors in trimming the net cost on a holiday is being savvy when shopping for deals. Choosing a UK based tour operator with fixed season prices can mean booking a holiday at last year’s prices unaffected by the economic slump.

According to Eurocamp Independent, a typical family of four could save over £259.20 on a holiday to Le Vieux Port in Messanges, simply by planning ahead. Savings could be even greater when following saving tips to cut the cost of daytime spending.

Take Eurocamp Independent’s commitment to fixed prices for the season. Holidays booked now will benefit from last year’s more favourable exchange rate as holiday prices are fixed from October 2007 to October 2008.

This is highlighted in the saving for a family of four of £80.70 when booking a camping holiday with Eurocamp Independent instead of booking direct.**

Jonathan Wills, general manager of Eurocamp Independent, said:

“Holidaymakers can make their money go further in Europe by pre-booking with UK companies and paying in Pounds to avoid the poor exchange rate.

“There are always going to be benefits of going abroad. Fuel will probably be a little bit cheaper. The weather forecasts are usually good and with careful and clever shopping, food and alcohol can be bought at a low cost.”

Eurocamp Independent’s Top Money Saving Tips and Handy Hints

• Save time and money by booking through UK tour operators rather than booking direct.
** For example a save £80.70 on a 3-week stay at Le Vieux Port in Messanges for 2 adults and 2 children with a return Portsmouth - St Malo ferry with 4-berth cabin each way, for car & caravan. The holiday costs from £791.20 when booked with Eurocamp Independent compared to £871.90 when booked direct.

• Look out for last minute deals.
Holidaymakers can save up to £150* on 2008 ferry-inclusive summer holidays when booking their summer holiday at one of 34 selected sites across Europe before 30th May with Eurocamp Independent due to campsite supplements reductions.

• Shop around for camping equipment.
Many outdoor retailers offer discounts on complete packages, which will last for many holidays to come. For example, Discover offers a six man tent and everything you need for £690.22 that’s a saving of £178.50 compared with the RRP.

• Keep the kids amused and cut the cost of daytime spending with free of charge activities. Look for arts and crafts, sports and social events put on by campsites and local attractions.

• Choose a campsite with lots of onsite facilities to avoid transport costs and attraction entrance fees. Camping L’Atlantique at Beg-Meil and Chateau des Ormes at Dol-de-Bretagne both offer water park style complexes which will incur no cost.

• Stock up on food and drink at one of France’s low cost hypermarkets, so expensive, tourist restaurants can be swapped for alfresco, campsite dining.

To book a Eurocamp Independent holiday visit Eurocampindependent.co.uk.