Page 266 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Belgium & Luxembourg

264  TR A VELLERS ’ NEEDS

Camping and Chalet Parks comprehensive list of
campsites is available on the
Outdoor life is the principal attraction for a number of visitors Eurocampings website. This
to Belgium and Luxembourg. They spend summer vacations includes a database on
at the seaside or take hiking, kayaking or cycling trips among campsites that cater to
the forested hills and rivers of the Ardennes. Camping and disabled people. The main
umbrella organization is the
caravanning also offer a chance to live close to nature and are FICC (Féderation Interna tionale
remarkably economic ways of holidaying. To meet these de Camping et de Caravanning),
needs, both countries offer a great number of campsites – based in Brussels. This also
there are more than 500 in Belgium and 120 in Luxembourg. covers motorhomes. The FICC
issues the Camping Card
International (CCI), which
Types of Campsites it is not a question of facilities, bestows a number of club
In both countries, campsites but of the location. Websites advantages on its holders,
vary from rural farm sites, where offer good, sometimes visual, including discounts of up
simplicity is a virtue, to large information on campsites. In a to 25 per cent at certain
holiday camps with swimming one- or two-star site, a family of listed campsites.
pools, sports facilities, bicycles four with a tent or caravan can
for hire, fishing rights and expect to pay about €15–25 per
archery. The latter also offer night. There are also a few Booking and Arriving
restaurants, cafés, shops, games naturist campsites. Campsites in popular areas,
arcades and evening entertain- such as on the Belgian coast,
ment. Some campsites have may be booked up months in
chalets, caravans and pre- Camping Organizations advance for the high season of
installed tents for hire, so all In Belgium, there are two July and August. It is therefore
visitors need to do is pitch camping authorities – the necessary to phone or email
up and enjoy. Flanders Camping Federation, ahead to reserve a site. In
Campsites in Belgium and and a parallel organization in general, campers can arrive
Luxembourg are ranked into Wallonia called Fédération des any time after 2pm and are
five categories, from one star Campings de Wallonie. In expected to vacate the site
to five star. One star indicates Luxembourg, the organization and check out by midday.
minimum facilities: drinking is named Camprilux. These
water, cold showers, flush toilets embrace all forms of camping,
and power points. Three stars from tents to caravans and Independent Camping
indicate hot showers, sports motorhomes (or camping cars). Wild or free camping is the
facilities and a shop. The five- Their websites provide detailed term used for pitching a tent
star camps will in addition information. Listings of wherever a camper chooses.
have a restaurant, children’s campsites are also available When practised outside official
playground and a wider range through the various regional commercial campsites, this
of facilities. Most campsites are tourist offices (see p323) and the activity is frowned upon in
ranked as one or two star. Often, local ones. A useful and Belgium and Luxembourg. The

Campers by the River Sûre in the forested Ardennes of Luxembourg

264-265_EW_Belgium.indd 264 18/10/16 3:03 pm
Eyewitness Travel LAYERS PRINTED:
Practical template “UK” LAYER
(Source v1.7)
Date 5th March 2013
Size 125mm x 217mm