Situated just north of Augsburg, this beautifully run site, with its own small lake, is a pleasure to stay on. Gabi Ryssel, the owner, spends her long days working very hard to cater for every wish of her guests – from the moment you arrive and are given the key to one of the cleanest toilet blocks we have seen, plus plenty of tourist information, you are in very capable hands.

In the beautiful Altmühltal river valley, this Azur site is in pretty woodland, with lots of shade for much of it. On flat grassland with direct access to the river, one looks from the entrance across to the old Schloss on the hill. Outside the main entrance is a large, flat, grass/gravel field for 60 overnight tourers (with electricity). The main site has 277 pitches, of which 178 are for touring, plus two small areas for tents and one large one (at the end in an open area). Ranging in size up to 90 sq.m. they are generally in small groups marked by trees or bushes.

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.

Only ten minutes away from Lake Constance, at Germany's southern edge, in a tranquil rural setting of orchards and hop gardens, Gutshof Badhütten is a well maintained site with good facilities. It's a great area for exploring on foot or two wheels, with lots of trails to follow. There's plenty of interest around the lake: the vast 14th century Montfort Castle, Wolfegg Automobile museum, Burg Meersburg or Meersburg Castle (dating from the 7th century and perhaps the oldest inhabited castle in Germany), are just a few attractions. And of course there's a variety of cruises and boat trips on the beautiful waters as well.

Vital Camping Bayerbachis situated between the rivers Danube, Rott and Inn, in one of the most picturesque regions of Bavaria. It is convenient for popular tourist destinations such as Munich and Passau in southern Germany, and Salzburg in Austria. There are 310 grass and gravel pitches (90-100 sq.m) for touring, all are serviced with 16A electricity, water and drainage. In addition, there are 6 apartments, 14 cottages and 12 mobile homes available to rent. The focal point of this site is, without doubt, its wellness centre with its indoor thermal pool, different saunas and cosmetic studio. In Summer, the three natural bathing lakes offer cooling off and during the bavarian holidays we offer a varied holiday program for the children.

This extensive site is some 40 km. from Passau, right at the southeast tip of Germany – the border with Austria runs through one side of the site, and the Czech Republic is very close, too. It is a very popular site and reservations may be advisable from mid-June to September, and it is very busy in winter with skiing and other winter activities.

This is an exceptionally big site on the banks of a large lake fed by clear alpine streams. There are some 700 pitches for touring units out of a total of over 1,200. All the grass, level touring pitches have electricity (16A) with 150 also providing water and drainage and some new 150 sq.m. super comfort pitches. As you would expect with a site of this kind, there is a considerable range of sports facilities and an extensive games and entertainment programme during July and August. A small sandy beach offers facilities for swimming in the lake (lifeguards are in attendance in the high season). A member of Leading Campings group.

A peaceful, relaxing campsite which is located next to Lake Constance and which ranks among one of the most beautiful holiday areas in Germany. The site has its own private marina directly on the Bodensee which is focused on water sports and moorings with some availability for campers.

This spacious and well maintained all-year site occupies a hillside position, with spectacular mountain views. The site access road is steep in places (14%) with a sharp, steep bend about halfway up, but the proprietor will use his tractor to tow caravans if requested, especially during snowy weather. There are 130 pitches (122 for touring), all arranged on a series of level, gravel terraces, separated by hedges or fir trees and all with good views and electrical connections (16A). There is a separate area on a sloping meadow for tents. The pleasant, traditional restaurant, with terrace, offers Bavarian specialities at reasonable prices throughout the year. This is a useful base for sightseeing, relaxing or for a winter break.

Camping Seeshaupt is located in the small town of Seeshaupt in Bavaria on the southern tip of Lake Starnberger See. On-site, you will find 143 grass and hardstanding pitches, 45 of which are for touring units and have 16 amp electric hook-up points available. There are also five hiking cabins available to rent. This site is ideal for those who enjoy water sports and can fully utilise Lake Starnberger See. There are swimming, Sailing, windsurfing and kayaking opportunities to be had here. For those who love the outdoors, this is an ideal base to explore the surrounding area, as many hiking and cycling routes can be found directly from the campsite. The site also offers bicycle and car hire.

International Camping Naabtal is an attractive riverside site in a beautiful tree-covered valley and makes an excellent base for exploring the ancient city of Regensburg on the Danube and other areas of this interesting part of Germany. It is also a good overnight site for those wishing to visit or pass through Austria or the Czech Republic. The best 100 of the 270 pitches, all with electricity, are reserved for touring units. They are mainly located on the banks of the river on flat or gently sloping ground under willow and other trees. This is good walking and biking country with many marked trails. Small boats can be launched on the placid river (where you may also swim at your own risk) and there are two good-sized tennis courts. Reception will advise on local excursions, walks, cycle routes, canoeing and other sports.

Bergen is a pretty little village 3 km. south of the A8 München-Salzburg and about 10 km. from the Chiemsee, Germany’s largest lake. Wagnerhof is a well organised and very pleasant site with a good variety of trees, plants and shrubs in a quiet location on the edge of Bergen and with views of the hills and mountains which surround this area. The site is owned and run by two brothers, one of whom speaks good English. Most of the 130 touring pitches have some shade and are part hardstanding, part grass, all have 16A electricity and are separated by hedges.

Panorama Harras is a popular, friendly site on a small, wooded peninsula by the Chiemsee, with good views to the mountains across the lake. With some near the lake, the pitches vary in size (40-70 sq.m) and most have electricity (6A). There are some 200 numbered pitches marked by trees, but with no hedges, the site can look and feel crowded at busy times. A separate, numbered section of gravel hardstandings is provided for motorhomes, and an area for tents on grass and gravel. Sailing and windsurfing are very popular here and you can swim from the shingle beach.

Campingplatz Birnau-Maurach is in Uhldingen-Mühlhofen, Baden-Württemberg, located by Lake Constance. The site has 180 grass pitches, of which 120 are for touring and has 16-amp hook-up points available with views of Lake Constance, the island of Mainau and the Swiss mountains. Boat owners also appreciate the site's slipway. There are plenty of activities to keep the younger campers active whilst staying at this site as there is a playground and a football pitch. There is also a youth room with table tennis, Darts, pool tables and table football. The site also has a common room used during high season as the base for the children's entertainment program. Yoga lessons and similar events are also held here. A grocery store and a restaurant with a lakeside terrace complete the on-site amenities.

Although the site overlooks the Danube, it is in fact some 9 km. from the confluence of the Danube, Inn and Ilz. Dreiflüsse Camping occupies a hillside position, well above high water level, to the west of Passau with pitches, flat or with a little slope, on several rows of terraces. The 180 places for touring units are not all numbered or marked, although 16A electricity connection boxes determine where units pitch, and half have water and drainage. Trees and low banks separate the terraces which are of gravel with a thin covering of grass. There is some road and rail noise (24 hrs).

Situated between lakes and mountains, Via Claudia lies on the banks of Lech Lake and is just a few minutes walk to a second smaller lake belonging to the site, Baderwäldle Lake, which is ideal for swimming with its pleasant warm moor water. As the campsite name suggests, Via Claudia Camping is on the ancient roman road which passes through the Alps, linking the Adriatic Sea with the River Danube. The site offers lodges, Finnish wooden huts, odd pods, vats and caravans for rent which sleep between one and five persons. A motorhome area (60 pitches) with full services is also open throughout the year.

Ferienpark Arber is a large site on the outskirts of the pleasant town of Zwiesel, right in the heart of the Bavarian Forest and not far from the Czech border. There are views up to the tree-clad hills and a stream runs through the campsite. Not surprisingly, this is fantastic country for hiking and cycling with 320 km of marked trails that take you through some of the finest scenery in Germany. Zwiesel is well known for its skiing and winter sports, as well as its long heritage as a centre of exquisite glass making.

Camping Mühlleiten is at the foot of the Watzmann, in the middle of the beautiful mountains of the Berchtesgaden Alps close to the Germany/Austria border. The site has 100 pitches, of which 80 are for touring units, and has 16-amp hook-up points available. There are also two apartments available to hire. On-site facilities include a children's playground with various equipment, including a climbing frame, a slide, and a sandpit. The campsite has a kiosk that sells snacks, basic groceries, and a daily bread delivery service. The restaurant also serves various meals, including traditional Bavarian food. The site offers a drinking water supply that is pure and untreated mountain spring water at central points across the site.

Camping Wallberg is the ideal site to spend any time of the year in the beautiful Tegernseer Valley. Enjoy the rural atmosphere and experience peace and balance between mighty mountains and idyllic beaches. The site is located between Bad Wiessee (2 km) and Rottach Egern (3 km) in the midst of this fantastic landscape.

Less than a kilometre northwest of Sulzberg, this site lies in the foothills north of the Alps, a cross-country skiing area in winter, with good walking and cycling at other times. Across the road is a swimming and picnic area on the edge of the lake. Most of the 100 touring pitches are on level ground and all have access to electricity (10A). Ski lifts that also operate in summer for access to mountain walks are 15 minutes drive away. The nearby town of Kempten (7 km) is worth a visit and annually hosts the 9-day Allgäu Festival in mid August.