Camping Europe

“Mickelsen regards travel as more than just recreation. She feels travel is an essential part of an adventurous life and a great way to educate yourself. Her enthusiasm is infectious.” Carol Mickelsen, in her work Camping Europe, provides a valuable resource for anyone looking to get off the beaten track and see Europe from a new perspective. Over her forty years of car camping in Europe she has learned quite a lot about what works and what does not. She uses her vast experience to give the reader a guide much different from what has generally been on the market.

Mickelsen’s book covers twenty-six countries, from Austria to Turkey, and each chapter includes very helpful practical information. For each country Mickelsen discusses such items as tips for driving, using public transportation, descriptions of cycle routes and hiking trails, boating facilities, and even bird watching areas and best months for viewing. In the introductory chapter she covers the nuts and bolts of car camping in particular, laying out not just how to camp but a very good argument concerning why one should do so. In her own experience, Mickelsen says that traveling “has paid [her] back in invigorations, easy laughter, and a sense of being profoundly alive.”

At the beginning of each section, the author gives us a bit of history of points of local interest. For instance, when introducing Austria, she describes the cultural climate at the turn of the 19th century, informing us of important composers, artists, and intellectuals. She ties these notable figures into the sights you may see while traveling in the country.

This guide will be invaluable to not only car campers but also anyone driving in Europe. Mickelsen focuses on camping areas that are small and friendly and avoids large, expensive, touristy campgrounds. Study this guide before you leave, and pack it when you go. You won’t want to be without it!