The first time on a camp site usually comes with a very sincere question: "But I... am I capable?"
The answer is yes. Even if you have never pitched a tent, even if you are afraid of forgetting something, even if the idea of sharing space with other people makes you a little anxious. Nobody is born an expert in camping, and fortunately so.
In this guide, we have collected the really useful things you need to know to cope with your first camping experience. How to choose where to sleep, what to bring (and what not to), how daily life on a camp site works and what are the most common mistakes.
Where to sleep: the right accommodation for you
The first choice when going camping is not about what to bring or how to organise yourself. It is about where and how to sleep. Tent, caravan or camper van are not three levels of difficulty, but three different ways of living the same experience.
Yes, tent is the most essential choice. It requires a minimum of adaptation, some extra attention and a certain tolerance for things that do not always go smoothly the first time. In return, it offers a feeling of total immersion: the sounds of the night, the morning light, the shade of the pine forest that protects you from the heat.
Yes, caravan is a very reassuring middle way. You have a more structured space, a ready-made bed, a stable shelter, but you still remain within the logic of camping. It is a frequent choice for those who want to try it out without giving up their habits completely, or for those who arrive with children and need a little more organisation.
The campervanis the most autonomous solution. Take your mobile home with you and the campsite becomes the ideal place to stay and experience the common areas without giving up your privacy when you need it.
There is no absolute right choice. There is the one that makes you leave with more serenity.
What to really bring (so you know what you can leave at home)
The temptation, the first time, is to bring half a wardrobe. You don't need to. On a camping trip you will discover very quickly that you live very well with much less.
What you really need is this:
Then you can add everything that makes your days enjoyable: a book, cards, music, a notebook, whatever makes you feel good. The rest will most likely go home without ever being used.
Organising your trip: the essential things to do
Book your place well in advance. In addition to choosing your preferred accommodation, by booking with us you can also receive discount codes to be used on ferries to reach the island.
Before leaving, ask yourself what kind of holiday you want to take. Want to explore the surroundings? Perfect. Want to park your car and forget about it for days, pine forest and sea at your doorstep? That works just as well.
If you are travelling by car, caravan or motorhome, check that everything is in order. Arriving without any technical worries is the best way to get into the right rhythm straight away.
Above all, don't worry about bringing anything from home. On the campsite you will find a market for daily needs, and if you realise you have forgotten something, the nearby villages are easy to reach.
And then there is one thing that often surprises first-time campers: on a campsite you can easily help out. If you are short of salt, a corkscrew or need a hand with your tent, you can ask your pitch neighbour.
And if you have a doubt or a problem you can always turn to the campsite staff, we are here to help you. It's part of the spirit of camping, a holiday also made up of small kindnesses between people sharing the same space.
In camping you get by, yes. But with much more comfort than you imagine.
