You might think you know all about Alan Rogers, we're a travel company who sell market-leading camping and caravanning guides right? But we're not talking about us, we're talking about our founder who just so happens to have the same name as us! He founded the Alan Rogers Guides business over 50 years ago after becoming increasingly disappointed with the lack of trustworthy information available to campers.
And although over fifty years have passed since Alan Rogers published his first guide, his legacy remains, and we still work to his original principles.
Things are a little easier now, there was only one of him, there are over 20 of us, and since 2012 we've been part of a larger family - The Caravan and Motorhome Club. Alan inspected, selected, compiled, published and sold his first guides, nowadays we have a dedicated inspection team assessing sites across Europe during the summer months, a publishing team that plans, designs and compiles the guides and a network of sellers that sell our guides to international customers. You could say we've come a long way in 50 years.
Alan introduced his travel guide at a time when continental camping was in its infancy yet well established, and many other travel companies had launched their own guides to camping in Europe. In the first guide, Alan wrote:
"Why, it may be asked, do we need another guide to continental camping sites? This book has been designed to fill a gap in the existing guides rather than merely to add to them. My own past experience (which I know is shared by many others) has convinced me of the need for a much more selective guide listing only especially good sites and providing much fuller information about them, and the meets this need."
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In the first guide, Alan wrote: "The sites have been most carefully selected. They have been chosen entirely on merit. No payment is made by any site for inclusion in this guide. All the camps have been very recently visited by the author and are recommended only when he and others who have stayed there consider them to be up to the necessary standard."
In the same guide, Rogers accurately predicted camping trends for the future. He pointed out that some overseas sites were providing mains electricity hook-ups and suggested that British caravanners and motorhome users should take advantage of this by having their units wired to take mains electricity. At the time British caravans were not fitted with mains electricity wiring.
He also talked about marked pitches of a minimum size, freely available hot water in the sanitary blocks, British style toilets on French campsites, the use of trees, bushes and shrubs to mark pitch boundaries and an end to the practice of over-crowding of sites during peak summer holiday times.
It is worth noting that the guide featured Camping le Pavillon Royal, a site located on the western coast of France close to the Spanish border which is still featured on our website today and, until 2016, it was included in every Europe guide.
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Extract from Alan's obituary (January 2000)
Jazz, squash, tennis, bowls, foreign travel and caravanning, stocks and shares, these were some of Alan’s interests during a long and eventful life After he finished his education, Alan spent several years in the RAF during the war, and afterwards joined the Per Ardua RAF Motor Rally Club. He continued with the Per Ardua and also joined other clubs, principally the Mid Thames Car Club, where as organiser and competitions secretary he spent many happy years driving and participating in one way or another, and of course enjoyed the good social life at the club’s headquarters, which were near Kingston-on-Thames. He went abroad as often as possible and loved planning holidays in great detail, as he also loved just lying in the sun and sampling the local wines.
With all these activities, it was not surprising that he remained a confirmed bachelor until his late thirties, when he met Ruth at the tennis club dance, and they were married over 40 years ago. Soon after their marriage, they took up camping and caravanning, and Alan bought a little plot of land in the south of France and installed a caravan on it, in the meantime brushing up his French; later he would buy a small house in Spain for letting out and holidays, and in the process mastered the Spanish language. All these things - languages, driving, European travel and camping and caravanning - all blended together in the 1960’s and there came into being the idea of writing camping and caravanning guides to Continental Europe. These were not the usual sort of guide full of symbols and with huge numbers of sites to choose from, but the style he adopted was to select and visit the best camps, write about them as a personal visitor and stay at them all in turn to inspect them thoroughly and bring out their character in his reports. As he always insisted on doing this in full summer, this meant a lot of travelling and hard work. He continued with his guides, and brought out other titles until the late 1980’s. Indeed the guides are still flourishing today under Alan’s name, although of course he ceased to take an active part some time ago.
In retirement, his love of sport turned to bowls and swimming, and he set his mind to studying the stock market and playing bridge among other things. He took on some neighbourhood watch duties in Saltdean where the family lived for nearly 30 years, and on moving to Sussex Court in Hove six years ago, he served on the Board of Directors. Alan and Ruth’s long and happy marriage, their working partnership in the caravanning and publishing business and the neighbourhood watch work in Saltdean, all dovetailed well with bringing up their two beloved daughters, Juliet and Sue.
The following campsites all featured in the 1st Edition of the Alan Rogers 'Selected sites for caravanning & camping in Europe' Guide, published in 1968.
CAMPSITES FEATURED IN OUR 1968 EDITION AND ON THE ALAN ROGERS WEBSITE
Domaine du Colombier is located between Cannes and Saint Tropez, alongside the main road 2 km. from the centre of Fréjus and 4.5 km. from the fine sandy beaches of Fréjus and Saint Raphaël. There are 18 touring pitches, ranging in size from 80-100 sq.m. and all with 16A electricity and 302 units of rental accommodation. Over recent years there has been much ongoing investment in high-quality facilities. An attractive heated pool complex (3,600 sq.m) includes a long river, paddling pool, waterslides, lagoon and whirlpool, all surrounded by sun loungers. Plenty of activities and excursions are arranged all season and the site caters principally for families.
You will receive a warm welcome at the beautiful, family-run site Castel Camping le Château de Leychoisier. It offers peace in superb surroundings. It is ideally situated for short or long stays, only 2 km. from the A20 and 10 km. north of Limoges.
Playa Montroig Camping Resort is about 30 kilometres from Tarragona, set in its own tropical gardens with direct access to a very long, narrow, soft sand beach. The central part of the site lies between the sea, road and railway (as at other sites on this coast, with occasional train noise on some pitches) with a huge underpass. Aside from a wide range of excellent facilities, notably an impressive aqua park and dining options, Port Aventura theme park is 20 km away, making this a highly desirable location for many families.
Camping Resort Sangulí Salou is a superb site boasting excellent pools and entertainment. Owned, developed and managed by a local Spanish family, it has something for all the family with everything open when the site is open. There are 976 pitches of varying sizes (75-120 sq.m) all with electricity (7.5-10A). Mobile homes occupy 58 pitches and there are fully equipped bungalows on 147. A wonderful selection of trees, palms and shrubs provide natural shade and an ideal space for children to play. The good sandy beach is little more than 50 metres across the coast road and a small railway crossing. Although large, Sangulí has a pleasant, open feel and maintains a quality family atmosphere due to the efforts of the very keen and efficient staff.
Cala Llevado is a beautifully situated and quiet (although popular), cliff-side site, enjoying fine views of the sea and coast below. It is shaped around a wooded valley with steep access roads and terracing. High up on the site, with a superb aspect, is the attractive restaurant/bar with a large terrace overlooking the pleasant swimming pool directly below. There are 612 terraced, level touring pitches (489 with 10/16A electricity) on the upper levels of the two slopes, with a great many individual pitches for tents scattered around the site. Many of these pitches have fantastic settings and views. In some areas cars may be required to park separately.
Peschiera is a picturesque village on the southern shore of Lake Garda, and Camping Bella Italia is a very attractive, large, well organised and very busy site in the grounds of a former farm, just west of the centre of the village.
Camping Village Marina di Venezia is an amazingly large site (2,818 pitches) with every conceivable facility. It has a pleasant feel with cheerful staff and no notion of being overcrowded, even when full. Marina di Venezia has the advantage of being within walking distance of the ferry to Venice. It will appeal in particular to those who enjoy an extensive range of entertainment and activities and a lively atmosphere. Individual pitches are spacious and set on sandy or grassy ground; most are separated by trees or hedges. All are equipped with 10A electricity and water. The site’s excellent sandy beach is one of the widest along this stretch of coast and has five pleasant beach bars.
With easy access from the nearby A9, Azur Waldcamping Auwaldsee lies along the northern banks of a small lake. There are 650 pitches, of which 350 are for touring units. These are level, grassed and have 16A electricity. Access roads (some overgrown when we visited) lead to large, open grass areas with unmarked pitches, which are shaded in places by mature trees. Opposite reception is a traditional Bavarian restaurant with a large beer garden – a good place to try the Bavarian speciality wheat beer.
Set in a green valley among the foothills of the Black Forest, this family managed site is well placed for visiting the popular Titisee, Feldberg and Totdnau areas, and is only 8 km. from Freiburg. It is divided into 486 numbered pitches, 362 of which are for touring, all with electricity (16A Europlug). Most pitches, which are side by side on gently sloping ground, are of reasonable size and clearly marked out, though there is nothing to separate them. There are increasing numbers of hardstanding pitches suitable for motorhomes. From about late June to mid-August, this site becomes very busy, and booking is advised.
Considered by many to be the best family campsite in Switzerland, Campofelice Camping Village borders Lake Maggiore and the Verzasca estuary, where the site has its own marina. There are 712 generously sized touring pitches on flat grass on either side of hard access roads. Mostly well-shaded, all pitches have electricity connections (13A, 360 Europlug), and 376 also have water, drainage and TV connections. A particular area is reserved for small tents. Pitches near the lake cost more (these are not available for motorhomes until September).
Camping de la Plage is really two different sites rolled into one, with 450 pitches divided by the very busy N98 road, but serviced by an underpass. You have the choice of a sometimes very crowded beach site, or a more peaceful and relaxed woodland area. There is only a short walk between the two, but their atmosphere differs. The wood area has well-proportioned pitches and naturally enjoys shade from trees, while the beachside pitches vary in size and require long leads for electricity (4-16A). The site is very efficiently run.
Camp du Domaine is located along the coast just outside the town of Bormes and is 3 km. south of Le Lavandou. The same family has run this large, attractive beachside site for 70 years. With 1040 touring pitches, 957 of which are level and have 10/16A electricity, you can pitch either in the shade in one of the pine forests or the most popular pitches beside the beach with a sea view. Pitches are generous (80-150sqm), but those located furthest from the beach are the largest with more shade. There are also 280 mobile homes/bungalows to rent situated on the hillside with superb views.
La Bergerie is a quiet, family owned site, situated in the hills about 3km from Vence and Saint Paul de Vence. 10km from the sea at Cagnes sur Mer. This extensive, lightly wooded site has been left very natural and is in a secluded position about 300m above sea level. Because of the trees most of pitches are shaded and all are of a good size. It is a large site but because it is so extensive it does not give that impression. There are 434 pitches, 300 with electricity (66 also with water and drainage) and 4 of them with private sanitary. Ther are also various types of accommodation to rent including the new Mobile Home Malaga Duo. Because of the nature of this site some pitches are a litle distance from the toilet blocks.
La Paillotte, in the Landes area of southwest France, is a site with a character of its own. It lies beside the Soustons Lake only 1.5 km. from Azur village, with its own sandy beach. This is suitable for young children because the lake is shallow and slopes gradually. All 310 pitches at la Paillotte are mostly shady with shrubs and trees. The 75 pitches for touring vary in price according to size, position and whether they are serviced. La Paillotte is an unusual site with its own atmosphere which appeals to many regular clients. The campsite buildings (reception, shop, restaurant, even sanitary blocks) are all Tahitian in style.
Le Pavillon Royal is located in an excellent situation on raised ground overlooking the sea (100 m. from the beach), with good views along the coast to the south and the north coast of Spain. The site's centre has a large heated swimming pool and sunbathing area.
In the unspoilt surroundings of the Jura, in 75 acres of wooded parkland surrounded by cliffs and forests, the Domaine de Chalain offers the perfect combination of relaxation, fun and discovery. On the shores of lake Chalain, this lovely site has a wide range of accommodation options - camping pitches (455 with electricity), mobile homes, bungalows or chalets. With a comprehensive range of leisure activities for children and adults, it's a great family option. There are swimming opportunities and water sports in the lake or Les Lagons aqua park. Indoors there is a heated paddling pool and swimming pool, together with a wellness area with sauna, jacuzzi (over 18s only) and hammam. Outdoors you'll find another paddling pool and swimming pools with water games, jacuzzi, waterslides, multi-lane slides and waterfalls.
A busy site and the only one within Paris, set in a wooded area between the Seine and the Bois de Boulogne. The site is quite extensive but nevertheless becomes very full with many international visitors, with noise well into the night, despite the rules. There are 410 pitches of varying size (including mobile homes) of which 313 are marked, with electricity (10A), water, drainage and TV aerial connections. An improvement and development programme including a new toilet block and restaurant was carried out during the winter of 2014/15. Reservations are made for pitches – if not booked, arrive early in season (mornings).
Camping 3 Estrellas is a beach site with 200 pitches for touring, generally flat with 5A electricity, informally placed under trees. Many pitches are along the beachfront, those closer to the beach having little shade, but they are enjoyable with great views – beach access is through a security fence. There are three levels of pitches: standard, beach & premium. Beach pitches on the front are premium, so advanced booking is advised.
A popular, self-contained and high quality site in a quiet location, El Delfin Verde has its own long beach stretching along its frontage, where activities such as scuba diving are organised. There is an attractive large pool in the shape of a dolphin with a total area of 1,800 sq.m. This is a large site with 1,069 touring pitches and around 7,400 visitors at peak times. It is well managed by friendly staff. Level grass pitches are 100-110 sq.m. and marked, with many separated by small fences and hedging. All have electricity (6A) and access to water points. There are now 318 fully serviced pitches with the possibility of 16A electricity.
In the Dolomite mountains, Camping Olympia continues to maintain its high standards. The 300 pitches are set out in a regular pattern and the tall pine trees, shrubs and hedges make this a very pleasant and attractive site. There are tree-clad hills on either side and craggy mountains beyond. The 230 mainly level touring pitches all have 6-16A electricity and a TV point. There are 63 fully serviced pitches with water, waste water, gas (21), telephone and satellite TV points. Some accommodation is available to rent, and there are 62 seasonal caravans which are mainly grouped at one end of the site.
One of the Knaus Group sites, Rhein-Mosel Koblenz overlooks the confluence of the Rhine and Mosel rivers where the city of Koblenz has stood since Roman times. One of the most visited cities in Germany, it is well served by this large, busy and efficient site. Unusually, there are no seasonal pitches here, leaving the whole site available for touring units and tents. All pitches have 16A electricity. There is some shade from young trees, but the site has an open feel with views of the rivers, the Kaiser Wilhelm Monument and the Ehrenbreitstein Fortress. There is some noise from rail and river traffic, but our sleep was not disturbed.
Camping Berger has been a family site since 1931. It is located on the banks of the River Rhine in a quiet suburb of Cologne, only 7 km. from the city centre, which is easily reached on public transport or by the cycle path. Of the 250 pitches, 125 are reserved for touring units, all have 10A Europlug and are level on grass with tree shade in places. This is a friendly site with a comfortable restaurant, bar and beer garden, which together with the grassed and sandy areas bordering the Rhine, make it an ideal site to return to after a busy day visiting the city and other attractions in the area.
Luzern is a traditional holiday resort of the British, and this site has many British visitors. It lies near the shore of Lake Luzern, just 1 mile outside the town itself. This good but expensive site (£42 in low season per night) is divided into separate sections for caravans, motorhomes and tents; the first two have hardstandings which, in effect, provide rather formal and small individual pitches with shade in parts. There are 150 marked touring pitches all with 16A electricity connections. Quiet in the early season, from late June to late August it can become full and feel rather crowded, especially in the tent section. Good English is spoken.
Lido Mappo lies on the lakeside at the northeast tip of Lake Maggiore, about 5 km. from Locarno, and has views of the surrounding mountains and hills across the lake. The site is attractively laid out in rows of individual, numbered pitches, mostly demarcated by access roads or hedges. Mature trees provide plenty of shade. The pitches (357 for touring) are occupied by a mixture of tents, caravans and motorhomes; they vary in size, those by the lake cost more and must be booked by the week. Electricity (10-16A Europlug; long leads useful) is available on all pitches. With helpful, English-speaking staff, this is a quiet site with its own narrow, mainly sandy beach.
