Huttopia-type sites in Switzerland & Germany

[RobertCalifornia]

I'm distracting myself from the grim weather by starting to plan our summer trip to the continent.

For the last three years we have taken the California to France for about 3 weeks. We all really like Huttopia campsites, I like a bit of warmth and to know that the site I have booked will be reliably excellent, my wife's main criterion is to not spend too long driving, and our kids (9 and 12) like swimming and paddleboarding - so we tend to look for Huttopia sites near a lake, river or sea, far enough south to get some reliable sunshine but not too far - then meander down there, stay there for a bit over a week, before meandering back up with some short stops on the way back. This makes holiday planning quite easy - because I can just add the relevant filters on the Huttopia site and it spits out the options.

My daughter has put a spanner in the works by insisting that we go to some other countries, not just France this year. I'm thinking of finding an Huttopia site near the Swiss border; and then dipping into Switzerland and possibly the Black Forest and Strasbourg before heading home. But Huttopia don't operate in Switzerland or Germany.

Can anyone recommend a similar brand of campsites to Huttopia that operates in those countries? Or some excellent individual campsites that match our criteria? Or suggestions of places to visit in that neck of the woods.

Thanks in advance!

 

[calibusje]

You mention dipping in Switzerland, but you could turn it into a trip to this beautiful country. There is a lot to do and see and it is a fascinating country. Good food and not expensive at all. Friendly people too.
We were in Switzerland last summer and thought it was beautiful. If your children like swimming and paddleboarding, I would definitely recommend Switzerland: there you can get into the water in practically every village on any lake. The water is wonderful.
There are numerous camper pitches to spend the night, some free and others no more expensive than a campsite. Often unmanned, but otherwise just like a simple campsite. Just use the Park4Night app. Some campsites can be very expensive but there are more that are more affordable than in France and have a swimming pool and mouth-watering views.
I have also been to several Huttopia campsites and they are quite ok. but there is better. A recommendation: camping in Lauterbrunnen; camping Manor Farm in Thunersee and there are many more in all price ranges.
Refueling is expensive there and fresh fruit and vegetables (shopping in general actually) is also expensive. Make sure you have an e-SIM to avoid high internet bills. Exept for that, everything else is really enjoyable in Switzerland. Top country! But the best thing is to experience it yourself.

 

[RobertCalifornia]

You mention dipping in Switzerland, but you could turn it into a trip to this beautiful country. There is a lot to do and see and it is a fascinating country. Good food and not expensive at all. Friendly people too.
We were in Switzerland last summer and thought it was beautiful. If your children like swimming and paddleboarding, I would definitely recommend Switzerland: there you can get into the water in practically every village on any lake. The water is wonderful.
There are numerous camper pitches to spend the night, some free and others no more expensive than a campsite. Often unmanned, but otherwise just like a simple campsite. Just use the Park4Night app. Some campsites can be very expensive but there are more that are more affordable than in France and have a swimming pool and mouth-watering views.
I have also been to several Huttopia campsites and they are quite ok. but there is better. A recommendation: camping in Lauterbrunnen; camping Manor Farm in Thunersee and there are many more in all price ranges.
Refueling is expensive there and fresh fruit and vegetables (shopping in general actually) is also expensive. Make sure you have an e-SIM to avoid high internet bills. Exept for that, everything else is really enjoyable in Switzerland. Top country! But the best thing is to experience it yourself.
View attachment 131344

Thanks @calibusje - that photo is pretty compelling. Where exactly is that?

I'd love to do a longer trip in Switzerland but the rest of the family are less keen on driving so many miles, which is why I was looking at the western fringes. But maybe I should ditch the plan to stay at a French Huttopia site over the border and fully embrace the Swiss option!

Will check out those campsite recommendations - if other people have Swiss campsite recommendations please let me know, as I'd like to book in advance.

 

[calibusje]

Thanks @calibusje - that photo is pretty compelling. Where exactly is that?

You’re welcome.
Photo + Lac de Géronde:

 

[RobertCalifornia]

You’re welcome.
Photo + Lac de Géronde:
View attachment 131360

Did you stay there? Was it a campsite or just somewhere you found a place via Park4Night?

 

[calibusje]

Did you stay there? Was it a campsite or just somewhere you found a place via Park4Night?

The photo is of a place where we went for a swim; we always looked for a place to sleep later in the day via Park4Night or simply via signs to campsites. Switzerland is very well equipped for camper vans. You come across them regularly. We do not book in advance and spent about 20 nights in Switzerland between mid-July and mid-August; only few times we had to keep looking for a campsite/ sleeping spot; arrived at a fully booked and continued searching. Once we declined at a campsite that was much too expensive; some campsites are well over 100 euros for an overnight stay and went searching for another. Luckily there are many beautiful campsites that are no more expensive than in for example France or beautiful camper places that are free or are just like a campsite but then unmanned but fully equipped at pleasant prices. So all other nights we found a place immediately.