Prices vary considerably with season and departure times. Some crossings are rapid, taking only an hour or so, whilst the longer routes may require you to spend one or two nights on board. These longer crossings can add an extra dimension to your holiday, allowing you to relax on board and enjoy a range of entertainments ranging from live bands to watching whales from the decks particularly if you chose to travel via Spain.

Should you prefer not to use the Ferry you can of course travel by Euro Tunnel. You can cross from Folkestone to Calais in a little over thirty five minutes. You just drive your car onto the train, and remain with it during the crossing. You don’t have to stay in it and you can walk around the carriage.

If you have a pet that you would like to take on your France holidays, and one of the advantages of a camping holiday is the option of keeping your pet with you, then it can travel by either ferry or train. In a short ferry crossing it remains in your car, whilst for longer crossings it is housed in pet kennels. With Euro Tunnel your pet simply stays with you in the car. Some pets may be a little anxious being left alone in the car on the car decks so if this is a possibility then the train might be a better option. You must of course make sure that animal is chipped and has all the required injections along with a pet passport.

Camping tends to allow more freedom than traditional package holidays, there are none of the typical reps bothering you and it is unlikely someone will try to sell you a day trip to the local glass-blowing factory. A traditional package holiday usually includes the hassle of being persuaded to do things that you wouldn’t normally want to do but there is none of that when it comes to Camping holidays! Of course, campsites are usually set right in the heart of tourist areas and local attractions tend to be close at hand if you do choose to take advantage of them.

Most campsites include a surprising amount of on-site distractions, especially those that are designed to cater for children. Most family sites will have fully equipped areas for children to play and generally a bar for parents to wind down in. Many will have outdoor and/or indoor pools, breaking away from the stereotypical image of pitching up a tent in the middle of nowhere. Larger holiday parks have nightclubs and amusement arcades.

For the fun loving family on a budget, holiday parks can be a great solution. For the more adventurous there is the other end of the scale; sites where there are very basic facilities. These sites tend to be for the more hardened campers, and are focused on providing a base from you can go and explore the local environment. They also offer the perfect opportunity to get away from it all and tend to be quieter with peace and quiet in the evenings. Camping in a large static caravan like those used at a holiday park, will allow all the comforts of home: cooker, heaters and hot showers.

Forget ‘Carry on Camping’; this won’t be a torturous experience! Going for the tougher option will bring challenges and will undoubtedly be cheaper.  Like all travel experiences – there are some amazing campsites, and some horrible ones. Remember to keep moving on and try something new if you don’t like where you are. The joy of camping is that you can generally up and off it you are not happy but with the premium quality of most campsites in Europe, it’s very unlikely that you’ll be disappointed.

Top tips for an enjoyable camping trip:

• Lose the preconceptions – they are almost certainly wrong

 • Space will be at a minimum give the kids one container/bag each for their toys

 • Remember you will be in very close proximity – stay patient and considerate of the people around you

• Don’t rush out and buy all the expensive kit – borrow from friends if possible

 • Ask someone who has done it before – they will have some relevant pointers