Archive for October, 2009

There is One Fact That you Should be Aware of When you are Shopping for Camping Chairs

Tuesday, October 27th, 2009
Lucy asked:


There are many people who enjoy going camping. For these people the various accessories which are needed will only add to the enjoyment to be found in camping. Of these one of the more important accessories that you should think about adding to your list of camping supplies is that of camping chairs. As there is a wide range of camping chairs it is best if you have an idea of what chairs are most suited for your camping needs.

Now before you make any final decisions you might want to see how your existing camping chairs are like. As the place where you will be camping has different terrain types there is a chance that your camping chairs may or may not be able to withstand the various pressures which are placed on them. You will need to make sure that you have a good idea of what type of activities that you will be subjecting them to.

The different camping chairs that you can buy are sometimes made for different types of situations. You will find that there are indoor camping chairs and outdoor camping chairs. Most of these camping chairs are very familiar ones. There are many companies that manufacture comfortable and very versatile camping chairs.

You will find hammocks, padded recliners, beach type chairs, folding stools and many other which are quite useful. You will need to make sure that you are selecting a chair that is easy to pack and unpack. The camping chairs need to be of sturdy material because they will be under lots of pressure.

There is one fact that you should be aware of when you are shopping for camping chairs. While there are inexpensive chairs that you can buy some of these will be on the expensive side.

For this reason you should have a good idea of the number of chairs that you need for your camping trip. You will find it helpful if you have an idea of what camping chairs are needed for your trip to be a pleasant one. You should also check to make sure that any chair that you might be choosing is made of a strong material. This is important as you will be moving the chairs around quite a lot. Additionally some of the chairs could get exposed to inclement weather.

Due to these reasons it is best that you choose camping chairs which will fit all of the requirements that you have. The price of the chairs while it is important should not be the main criteria for buying these camping chairs of yours.



Caravan Insurance

Your Essential Camp Cooking Checklist

Saturday, October 24th, 2009
Nicole Munoz asked:


One of the most fun things to do during a camping trip is camp cooking. Why? Because eating is one of the best things in life! Most people who are passionate about food and have flair for the sense of taste would agree with this. A grand feast of sumptuous camping meals would definitely make a camping vacation a great experience.

But because cooking entails quite an effort and some equipment to bring, avoid the scenario of forgetting an important ingredient or an essential cooking utensil by creating a menu of the dishes you intend to cook for the family and from here create a checklist of things to bring.

Here’s a sample of a camping cooking checklist with a few cooking tips to make your life easier. Be sure to add any personal food item or cooking utensil you can’t do without.

• Main ingredients of the dishes and meals you plan to cook. It’s a good idea to measure ingredients back at home, put them in ziplock bags with labels. This will make cooking much easier and faster and save you space in your bags. It’s also better if you half cook meat or poultry at home also to save fuel in the camp trip.

• Other cooking necessities like cooking oil, seasonings and condiments.

• Cookware like pots, pans, frying pans that you’ll need for the meals in the menu. Don’t forget the lids because these will enable you to save a lot of cooking time since dishes cook faster when covered.

• Cooking and eating utensils like spatula, tongs, grill skewers, knives, spoons, forks, plates, bowls, cups, can and bottle openers.

• A Coleman camping stove. Be sure to bring one that will suit your camping needs: size of cooking you intend to do, type of camping activity and fuel preference.

• Camp or barbecue grill

• Lighter or matches. Even though most Coleman stoves have electronic ignition, it’s still good that you have these to use for other purposes like lighting up a grill.

• Fuel for your Coleman camping stove

• Large water jug, water bucket. Camping activities may drain your energy. You need a lot of water to reenergize and prevent yourself from dehydrating.

• Coolers, ice chest and ice. These are important because you’d want a cold drink to quench your thirst. It’s a smart idea to bring a large block ice instead of cubes because the former last much longer.

• Potholders and oven mitts to prevent anybody from getting scalded.

• Thermos

• Portable water heater

• Dishwashing soap

• Folding tables and chairs and table cloth

• Heavy-duty aluminum foil and ziplock bags which serve a variety of purposes like for wrapping leftover food, for storing ingredients and many others.

• Paper towels and napkins

• Trash bags. Be sure to leave the camp site in a spick and span state.

After a whole day of spectacular views to see, exciting and fun activities to do, the best thing to look forward to aside from a comfortable rest is a great sumptuous meal that entice your taste senses. Bon Apetite!



Holiday Parks

Camping Near Paris

Friday, October 23rd, 2009
Stephen Lane asked:


Why stay at a Campsite near Paris?

If you are interested in visiting the area around France’s capital, there’s one very obvious reason why Paris camping is a good idea - the cost! Accommodation in Paris can be extremely expensive, especially during high season, and spending your nights at one of the campsites near Paris is a great way to save money.

But there are more benefits to Paris camping than just cutting your costs. The French countryside around Paris is a delightful place to camp, and is rarely visited by those on a city break. A stay at a campsite near Paris allows you to strike the perfect balance between the fast pace of the city with the relaxation of a camping holiday, and there are plenty of local attractions to keep you occupied…

Local Attractions

Highlights in Paris include art galleries like the Louvre, city landmarks such as the Eiffel Tower and Notre Dame Cathedral, fascinating architecture and the overall romantic atmosphere of the city. And best of all, if you get tired of the crowded streets of Paris, your mobile home or tent at the campsite is a relaxing escape from the hustle and bustle.

Two big local attractions in reach of most campsites near Paris are Disneyland® Resort Paris and Parc Asterix. Parc Asterix is a massive theme park with a great range of rides and roller coasters, including the massive Tonnere de Zeus, or Thunder of Zeus, which is regarded as one of the best rollercoasters in the world. Disneyland® Resort Paris, of course, is one of the most famous tourist destinations in Europe, with two theme parks offering thrilling rides and colourful parades - and a chance to meet your favourite Disney characters.

If theme parks aren’t your thing, staying at a mobile home near Paris will put you within easy reach of the lavish palace at Versailles, the city of Reims, the historical champagne capital of France and the forest and château at Fontainebleau - all excellent places for a day trip if you are visiting this part of the country.

Top Campsites Near Paris

There are numerous campsites near Paris, and perhaps two of the best sites within driving distance of Paris are Camping les Etangs Fleuris near Touquin and Camping la Croix du Vieux Pont, which is near Berny Rivière.

Camping Les Etangs Fleuris is a charming rural campsite. It is tucked away in the French countryside, making it perfect for those who like to get away from it all. It has a good selection of facilities (including a bar, swimming pool and children’s playground) and even though it is in a quiet rural location, it is perfectly positioned for a trip to Disneyland® Resort Paris - only twenty five minutes drive away.

If you’d prefer a bigger site, Camping la Croix du Vieux Point could be the perfect choice for your Paris camping holiday. It has a wide range of facilities and activities, including both outdoor and indoor swimming pools complete with waterslides, a bar, a restaurant, a gym and two lakes at the centre of the site that offer excellent fishing and a variety of water sports.

While Camping Les Etangs Fleuris is an ideal location for families and couples who are looking for an intimate as well as a peaceful and relaxing site, Camping La Croix du Vieux Point is perfect for those who are seeking a wide selection of facilities and activities on site as well as easy access to the surrounding area.



Caravan News

Best Spots for Camping Eastern PA

Saturday, October 17th, 2009
Steve Mattus asked:


Best Spots for Camping Eastern PA

If Pennsylvania is your vacation destination, naturally, you would like to know about the best spots for Camping Eastern PA. Here is some useful information regarding some very good camping spots in Pennsylvania.

Appalachia Campsites

Whenever we look for accommodations for us, whatever purpose it may be, we always give top priority to the cleanliness. This is where Appalachia campsites score very high when we compare sites for camping in Eastern PA. Other amenities at this camping site are also very good and the courteous staff gives Appalachia campsites an edge over the others. This site offers some abandoned wooden sites as well.

Although the roads are not paved, they are very attentively cared for. These camping sites in Eastern PA are very large and spacious, each having a fire ring and picnic table. Because these campsites are near the highway, you may face some noise. However, it is not loud enough to irritate you and be a significant disturbance. It is possible to access the restrooms from all sites. Restrooms are neat and clean with free showers.

Listed here are some of the amenities and activities just to give you an idea how Camping in Eastern PA can be very enjoyable:

Swimming pool and Pond Video Games and Pool table Recreation hall and Live Entertainment Playground Television and Movies Laundry services Kids planned activities Ice cream and Snack bars Security gate

You can take your pet with you at these sites. Moreover, you can have some additional fun because the restaurants, amusements and retail stores are situated at nearby places.

Eagles Peak Family Camping Resort

Situated at the top of mountain, these sites for camping Eastern PA are really of very high quality. These sites offer many camping options so you can choose according to the type of camp you need. Almost all the amenities and activities found in other similar campsites are present here too. As an additional feature, this campsite in Eastern PA has two swimming pools. One swimming pool has a beautiful snack bar. The other one is smaller and is designed for the adults only.

Some Other Campsites and a Few Tips

Some other options for Camping Eastern PA are Lake-In-Wood, Otter Lake Camp Resort, Starlite Camping Resort and Warwick Woods Campground. No matter which campsite you choose, a little bit of planning will always make it a more memorable experience for you. For example, the majority of food you take with you might be the kind that does not require cooking. This saves time, trouble and space for packing. Be sure to take a mosquito net and suitable bed with you so that you can enjoy a sound sleep.

With these tips in mind, you’re sure to enjoy camping Eastern PA.



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The Best Châteaux in the Loire Valley

Friday, October 16th, 2009
Stephen Lane asked:


In a recent article, I talked about some of the best campsites in the Loire Valley. Loire camping is amongst some of the best in France. The region has an abundance of attractions - especially if you are interested in the majestic and fascinating châteaux which are doted throughout the region. If you’re camping in France’s Loire Valley, these beautiful castles should definitely be on your list of places to visit:

Château de Cheverny

In 1914 Château de Cheverny became one of the first castles to become open to the public. The castle’s magnificent inner rooms, furniture, tapestries and art are matched by its magnificent gardens. The well maintained grounds are a delight to wander around, whilst taking in the various flowers, fruits, herbs and other flora that grows in the garden.

The castle also has a permanent Tintin exhibit. Rumour has it that this is because the château inspired Hergé, the cartoon’s creator, when he drew Marlinspike Hall as the home of his fictional character. Fans of the comic will note that while Marlinspike Hall lacks the two outermost wings of the actual structure, the remaining central tower and wings are virtually identical to the ones in the castle. If you have any Tintin fans in your party, this is well worth leaving your Loire campsite for!

Château de Chenonceau

Nestled peacefully upon the river Cher, the calm nature of the current castle doesn’t begin to betray the exciting history the structure has enjoyed. The original manor was burned to the ground by royal troops in 1411 to punish the owner, Jean Marques, for an act of sedition. He rebuilt a castle in its place in the 1430s, and it was to change hands many times before its heroic role in the wars of the 20th century. During the Great War, the gallery was used as a hospital ward, while during the Second World War; the whole castle was used as a means of escape from the Nazis, with an occupied zone on one side of the river Cher, and the ‘free’ Vichy area on the opposite bank!

Nowadays, the castle is a charming mixture of late Gothic and early Renaissance architecture, with delightful gardens maintained in a traditional French style (plenty of small sculpted shrubs). It’s a wonderfully picturesque sight, and no Loire camping trip should pass up on the chance to see such a historic, picturesque site.

Château de Cambord

It seems a little unlikely that the largest château in the Loire Valley was originally built as a hunting lodge, but this is how Château de Cambord came about. King Francois I who owned the building kept Château de Blois and Château d’Amboise for residential purposes instead. The castle’s frequently edited design was by Domenico da Cortona, although it was rumoured that Leonardo da Vinci (a frequent guest of the King) was also involved. Featuring 440 rooms, 365 fireplaces and 84 staircases, it really is an amazing symbol of decadence.

The château is surrounded by 13,000 acres of game reserve and parkland, and is very welcoming of visitors. Children are also welcome, and the castle often puts on puppet shows and the like. Ideal for families camping in France’s Loire Valley.

Château de Villandry

If you’re a plant lover, you can stop hunting: you’ve found the château for you. Considered by many to be the best example of Renaissance garden design in the whole country, with water, ornamental, vegetable and flower gardens, the grounds of the castle have something for everyone -its immaculately maintained and a delight to the senses. The insides of the châteaux have been restored in the 19th century in a Renaissance style and makes it a delightful way to spend an afternoon away from your campsite in the Loire Valley.

Château d’Ussé

If the Château d’Ussé feels like it’s out of a fairy-tale, then you may be having exactly the same thoughts as Charles Perrault who wrote Sleeping Beauty in the 17th century. It’s well known that the author spent some time here as a guest of the Count of Saumur, and it is rumoured that his inspiration came from the picturesque castle. Its charmed existence is reflected in its history - or rather, it’s lack of! There were no bloodbaths, no conflicts and no political intrigue. Surprisingly, even the French Revolution seems to have ignored the splendid castle. There is a full tour available, and there are even rooms full of waxwork figures illustrating the tale of Sleeping Beauty, which is sure to capture the children’s’ imagination.

There are plenty of other things to do if châteaux aren’t for you, whilst you are camping in France’s Loire Valley.



Caravan Parks

My Favorite Minnesota - Camping - Campsites

Thursday, October 15th, 2009
ExploreMinnesota asked:


http://www.exploreminnesota.com/
Hi, my name is Paul Sundberg. I’ve been a park ranger for 35 years. I’m an avid outdoorsman and photographer. We started taking my daughter camping in the boundary waters canoe area and state parks when she was only six months old. Our favorite family memories have been made while camping in Minnesota. There is so much wildlife in Minnesota to see, moose, timberwolves, waking up in a tent to the call of a loon. Minnesota has so much public land that you can get out and enjoy spending quality time with friends and family, photographing nature, and just being out there soaking up the great outdoors.

See more about this topic and other favorite places of Minnesotans at
http://www.exploreminnesota.com/myfavoriteminnesota/
You can upload your own stuff too!

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Choosing your Camping Gear and Equipment

Tuesday, October 13th, 2009
Matt Peters asked:


Whether you are a casual camper or you’ve been camping for years, it always pays to bring complete camping gear and equipment. And to ensure safe and hassle-free camping, go for camping equipment made of high quality materials and a good value for your money.

Camping Tents

When choosing your camping gear and equipment, it is important to take into consideration the type of material it’s made. The kind of tent you need to bring to camp depends on certain things. If you don’t expect bad weather when you go camping, then you can go with a low to mid range camping tent. This type of tent is most appropriate for those who go camping once or twice a year. If you’re a seasoned camper and you expect rough weather ahead, you’re better off purchasing a high-end tent. This lightweight tent is suitable for backpacking and can withstand cold and wet weather conditions. As compared to low to mid range tents, high-end tents are costlier.

Camping Chairs

Camping chairs are best for viewing lakes and mountains. There are different types of camping chairs. They are the reclining chairs, camping chairs, lounge chairs, folding chairs and hi-back chairs. When you choose a camping chair, opt for the most durable. Like with your other camping gear and equipment, select one that’s built to last. Choose a camping chair with double stitching all throughout to make sure it stays sturdy for a long time. If you want a camping chair that’s certain to stand even the most punishing conditions, choose one made of Denier nylon mesh with PVC backing, reinforced with seat belt webbing and made of rock solid heavy duty stainless steel frame. As it’s essential that you take convenience into account in the selection of your camping gear and equipment, you should pick out a camping chair that is easy to use. So, go for one that can be folded in one easy squeeze.

Camping Sleeping Bags

When you go camping, make sure that your camping gear and equipment aren’t unnecessarily bu



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Buying a Camping Stove for your Next Camping Trip!

Saturday, October 10th, 2009
Camping Now asked:


Buying a camping stove can be a tricky business. You want to make sure you get the right one for you. If you are hiking you need to get something that is compact and will carry easily. A trangia might be a good idea if you need something small, or if you are only cooking for yourself. A Trangia cimbines the methanol burner with all of the equipment that you need to do your cooking. If you are travelling by car then you can go fo a setup as large as you like, right up to a full kitchen set (if it takes your fancy!). Some camping stoves also come with wind protectors, which can be very useful if you’re camping outside.

camping stoves run on a variety of fuels and the type of fuel you will be using will play an important factor in your decision.

The most popular fuel is butan or propane gas or a propane/butane mix. These come in cartridges or refillable cylinder. This type of fuel is predictable and stable, lights easily and performs well, and is controllable in terms of the level of heat you require. The cartridges or cylinders attach directly to the stove. Resealable cartridges are good as they can be removed from the stove, so there is no chance of the gas being switched on accidentally. These smaller stoves are more suited to be sed with smaller pans and cookware sets and cannot comfortably accomodate larger pans.

Larger stoves often use cylinders attached with a gas hose and regulator. This aren’t carried easily so are only suitable if you are travelling by car. These stoves often include a lid and side wind shield. If you are camping in low temperatures, propane is more suitable than butane as it freezes at lower temperatures.

Pressure stoves run on pressurised petroleum. They can get very hot and are very fuel efficient. These types of cookers come in a range of sizes, from small compact burners suitable for backpackers to double burners suitable for families.

Methylated spirit stoves run on meths which, as a liquid, doesn’t need to be pressurised. It is instant lighting and there is no need for preheating. Meths produces an almost colourless flams so care needs to be taken in the daytime. meths only really gives about half the heat of the alternatives so isn’t the most efficiant. The most common types of meths burners is the trangia range which are simple to use, compact lightweight and cost efficient.

You might want to consider the price of the gas refills or methelated spirits when making your purchase. And don’t forget to take spares! There’s nothing worse than having the food to cook with no means to cook it.

If you have small children then safety may be an issue. You might want something that is stable and safe when there are footballs flying about! so you can go for something with a stand



Caravan News

Importance of Speciality Summer Camps

Saturday, October 10th, 2009
Jacksamul asked:


Kids are very much excited just by listening to the idea of going to a summer camps. They think as a mode of relaxation and an opportunity to be among the same age group of people, away from home and visualize the best days without school, without the guidance of any adult but in actual practice it is a chance wherein the children are provided with the opportunity to develop some of the new skills and they also learn the tact to socialize with the new people around themselves. Although many kids are quite spontaneous these days and they can very well mingle with the new kids but there are some kids and specially girls who do not throw open themselves to others easily and they tend to look for a chance waiting for others to come and speak to them. But in summer camps as they see everyone of the same age socializing with each other, they also get the instinct to speak to each other and learn the nuances of life. These summer camps are particularly targeted towards imparting children with particular skills. Most of the summer camps have a range of activities that allow many children to explore new areas and develop specific skills. There are also many specialty summer camps that impart the skills based on certain specific categories.  Like consider for example you have residential summer camps that impart socializing skills to the kids, they are just held for a day or two, while there are some of camps that may go for few days, there might be some camps wherein you need to travel back home and you may come across certain camps which may offer you transportation facilities while on the other hand their might be some which do not provide transportation facilities.

There are certain camps that cater to the needs of some children with some special needs. It is quite obvious that the needs do differ based on some specific kinds of disabilities like physical or mental disability. Speech therapies and occupational therapies are some of the therapies which are offered to some of the special needs kids. Such camps always do have a working counselor who counsels the parents of the kids on the different requirements of the kids.

Sometimes, summer camps consider the noble thought of integrating the normal kids and kids with special needs. Certain camps are aimed at providing a scope for the people with the same needs to interact with each other, it would provide a room of comfort as the people of same group would interact and share their problems with each other. Thus this would provide them mental satisfaction that there are some people who do possess the same difficulty and some talks also lead to a small level of solutions.

 

It is a wrong understanding if you think that summer camps are always between the people of same age group, but there are certain camps who aim at conducting camps as a mixture of diverse age groups. These include activities like hiking or some special creative activity like pottery.



Touring Caravans

Camp Cooking Supplies Can Be Bought Online

Saturday, October 3rd, 2009
Philippe De Tiege asked:


Bringing the correct camp cooking supplies with you on your next camping trip will enable you to prepare satisfying meals around the campfire. One of the most sought after and essential camp cooking supplies is the portable grill. The portable camping grill allows you to prepare campfire favorites such as hamburgers, hot dogs, steaks, as well as fish, which can be your catch of the day. The dishes you prepare on a camping grill will pick up the unique smoky flavor that comes with cooking over a fire.

Portable camping grills offer a number of different styles and functions, allowing you to prepare any sort of grill dish you have in mind. You can choose from propane, gas, charcoal, or over the campfire grills, depending on what type of heat source you want to use. Some grills come with leg extensions, compact storage, or no-assembly set up for easy use. Other grills come with cooking surfaces such as a griddle, allowing you to prepare versatile foods.

A wide range of choices for camp cooking supplies, including portable grills, can be found online. Web sites allow you to browse camp cooking supplies without leaving your home, easily comparing prices and characteristics. You can quickly find camp cooking accessories as well as camp cooking essentials such as charcoal, grills, and knife sets.

Barbecue is one of the most popular dishes to prepare while at the campground. Grilling over the campfire gives the barbecue a great flavor. Other camp cooking supplies you will need besides a portable grill if you will be barbecuing include rib roasting racks, tongs, brushes for covering your barbecue with spices and sauces, skewers, thermometers, injectors, cutting boards and sauce pans. These accessories, which can also be found for sale online, will help you make the best barbecue feast you can for your family and friends to enjoy.

Some other essential camp cooking supplies you will need to make the tastiest barbecue are spices, sauces, marinades, and rubs. These barbecue supplies will bring out the unique smoke flavor that comes with cooking at the campfire. You can use a camp cooking recipe to create your own barbecue sauce or marinade at the campsite or you can prepare it at home in your own kitchen to take with you and be ready to be used. A wide range of barbecue sauce and marinade recipes can be found, including ones using horseradish, beer, wine, molasses, mustard and chile peppers. You can also purchase online barbecue sauces, marinades, and spice mixes of all types to achieve the exact barbecue flavor you want.



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