Caravan Parks

Take an al fresco holiday like no other by choosing a campsite this year. Whether it's a patch of ground to pitch the tent beneath the swaying pine trees of the Italian Dolomites or a place to pullup the campervan and crack out the camping stove on the Texan plains, there's really nothing quite like bedding down with nature all around. Those under canvas can snuggle up in sleeping bags and close their eyes to the sound of chirping crickets. Those with a caravan can enjoy the perks of private kitchens and beds and even living spaces, all just a wall away from beautiful backcountry views, beaches, forests or mountains.

The great outdoors is the main reward in a campsite stay. With options dotting the Alps, the Rockies, countless lakes, beaches and clifftops, you should find it easy to pinpoint one of these accommodations to take you far away from the pushes and pulls of the big city. Days of hiking and biking, of rock climbing and zip lining, of surfing and boating are all possibilities, while evenings are the province of campfire songs and BBQ cook ups under the stars. No wonder a campsite trip is the classic for family bonding.

It doesn't have to be about escaping the big sights and cities, though. Campsites in Rome are uber-popular. Instead of forking out oodles of euros for a swish pad in the heart of the Eternal City, you can settle for a bargain caravan or tent pitch on the outskirts – some, like Real Village Roma, even come with a pool, tennis courts, spa and gym facilities. Elsewhere in Italy you can find campsites in Vieste, which offer sparkling beaches just a zip of the canvas away – the acclaimed Spiaggia Lunga Camping is a case in point – not to mention clifftop towns steeped in medieval and ancient history. Other options dot the outskirts of Texan cities across the Pond, with campsites in New Braunfels offering 1 foot in San Antonio's cultural scene and another in the cypress parks and wooded banks of the beautiful Guadalupe River.

So, if you're feeling the call of the wild and want to ditch the traditional hotel for something more rustic, outdoorsy and affordable, be sure to consider a campsite. They're found everywhere, from Alpine lakesides to soaring mountain ranges to salt-sprayed seaside resorts.