Book or just turn up?

[Jabberwocky]

I need a little help please. It's been many, many years since we camped in mainland Europe but this year we are taking our Cali (just the two of us) to The Netherlands, Belgium and France.
Our last planned destination in Holland is Kinderdijk before travelling south through Belgium and on to the Puy du Fou in France. This will be at the end of June over a four day period.
My primary question is should I book campsites in advance or just turn up? Secondly if you have any experience of must "stop at that site" on my route (I will be avoiding the Peage) please let me know. Probably wont be stopping at Versailles as last time I was there I drove a car with bikes on the roof under a low car park barrier......two trashed bikes and a badly dented roof, plus not one person offered any help!!

 

[Broch Hunter]

Apart from first and last night stops we tend to just make it up as we go along. We often end up in quite different areas/countries to those envisaged when we set off.

 

[California Dreamin]

We chanced it in high summer last year. Didnt do my nerves any good but felt really free. Family of six. We were given the idea on the forum of putting names in a hat. Everyone has their day to chose whether to stick or twist and if 'twist' then where to....anywhere in france. Luckily for me they worked together to keep miles sensible. A great time.

First night booked. Thereafter we called ahead to check availability in the morning each time we were on the move.

 

[soulstyledevon]

Just go, you will usually find something. Worst case senario you pitch up road side or check into a hotel for a night.
To be honest, I've always found something .

 

[bigmac77]

We did a mixture of both last summer in France. We found popular locations fill up fast especially in August so I have booked for this summer because we want to be somewhere specific but if you flexible and not going to Il de Re I would just go with the flow.

 

[marchugo]

JW,

In Ottoland near Kinderdijk is a nice farm camping:

http://www.campinghetsalamandertje.nl/camping.html

By bike 10 kilometers to the windmills of Kinderdijk, against the wind, of course.

France: holidays start there mostly from July 14th, so in June no reservations necessary. Many campings are only open from July 14th! You can use the Archie camping app ( http://www.archiescampings.eu/archiesapp/eng/ ) to check which campsites are open in June.

All the best from Amsterdam,

Marc.

 

[GrannyJen]

Apart from peak summer, when I never go out anyway, I tend to just chance it although if planning a long first day I prefer to book ahead just for that day.

 

[BerndRos]

I have never booked a campsite in advance of turning up, and have never failed to find a sleep place...

 

[The Merle]

Yep just wing it.
Plus you can easily turn around and drive out of a campsite if you don't like the look of it, if you haven't booked in advance!