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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Camping Schwanenplatz is on the shores of Lake Waginger, the warmest lake in upper Bavaria and is particularly popular with boaters and anglers. The Waginger Lake District stretches along the eastern Chiemgau and thus borders on the neighbouring Berchtesgadener Land and the Salzkammergut. Families with children and couples appreciate the varied leisure activities and the private beach.

The site is two kilometres northeast of Wertach with a lovely view over the lake, and in the foothills north of the Alps, a popular cross-country skiing area in winter, with good walking and cycling at other times. A network of signposted paths starts at the entrance. There is no pool, but the site lies on the edge of a large, inviting lake with a pleasant grass area between the pitches and the water. The ground slopes, but is terraced, so the pitches are level. The 140 touring pitches, mostly marked and numbered, all have electricity and there are 22 new, fairly level pitches with water, drainage and TV connections.

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.

Seecamping Taching See is a family-friendly campsite located directly on the shores of the Tachinger See, one of Bavaria's warmest lakes. The site has 200 pitches, of which 98 are for touring units. There are also two caravans available to hire. The campsite is next to one of the lake's beaches, perfect for those enjoying sunbathing and swimming. You can also rent kayaks and canoes here to explore the area via the water. During the high season, the campsite offers organised activities for children and adults, such as children's clubs, campfires, and hiking tours. Other on-site activities are a multisport pitch, a Children's playground, table tennis and beach volleyball. After all the activities there is a restaurant on site where you can relax and sample traditional German dishes and international cuisine, all whilst enjoying marvellous views of the lake.

Camping Christophorus is surrounded by extensive forests and situated next to three beautiful lakes. The site is located in a quiet spot near the village of Kirchdorf an der Iller (Baden-Württemberg). You can enjoy swimming in both the Sinninger Badesee swimming lake and the beautiful heated indoor pool. Here you can swim laps or refresh yourself after a visit to the sauna, for example. You can sunbathe on grassy lawns in various places around the lake. On site you will find various sports and play opportunities, restaurant and an entertainment programme in high season. This is a popular place for families with children during the summer holidays. This neatly laid out site is mainly frequented by those who are retired during the low season. The site is only five kilometres from the A7 motorway, so is ideal as an overnight stay. The grass pitches are flat, are marked out by neat hedges and have either little or no shade. N.B. the site does not accept dogs.

FKK Familiensportgemeinschaft Allgäu is in a quiet and attractive location backing onto woods, this 14 ha. naturist site has 110 grass pitches, all with 16A electricity. The top two rows are for members only, leaving the bottom tier for 40 touring pitches. The terraces lead down to the River Iller (swimming not permitted), beside which is a meadow and sports area. Also here is the Haldenmühle, now a guesthouse with terrace and comfortable traditional restaurant complete with ‘kacheloven’ (tiled stove). The attic of the building provides communal facilities for pre-booked youth groups. The old pond, beside the lower terrace, formally a reservoir for the Mill, is now used for swimming.

Kaiser Camping, formerly Tenda Camping & Freizeitpark, is located at the foot of the Alps near the health resort of Bad Feilnbach in a region known for plentiful sunshine, a mild climate and beautiful alpine views. It is a large, modern and well maintained site with over 1,000 pitches, half of which are devoted to touring units. In addition there is a stopover area near reception. The pitches are on grass with good access roads, mainly in open rows separated by trees and hedges; all with 16A electricity. There is a separate area for tents and from the more open parts of the site there are views of the Alps.

Camping Renken is a family-run campsite located in Kochel am See, Germany. It is situated on the shores of the Kochelsee, a beautiful alpine lake. This small site has 40 touring pitches with electric hook-up points available. Various facilities are available on-site, with a children's playground with a low ropes course. The parents take a break at the onsite bar and restaurant with a perfect lake view. In the main farm building, there is a small shop with an essential selection of groceries and a fresh bread delivery service. When the weather isn't on your side the campsite has a lounge next to the main farm building. You will find a small beach right by the water's edge where you can relax on sunny days. The campsite also offers the rental of rowing boats so you can explore the surrounding area.

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.

This exceptional, family run site is situated beside a lake in the beautiful Bavarian Alps, not far from the fairytale castle of Neuschwanstein. Although one can appreciate the mountain scenery from the 376 level, fully serviced pitches, it is more comfortably viewed whilst swimming in the 31°C swimming pool on the first floor of the wellness complex. The wellness complex, which offers a full spa programme and excellent sanitary facilities, is arranged around a large courtyard adorned with cascading flowers. The site has an excellent restaurant and bar with views over the lake. A member of Leading Campings Group.

This site is attractively situated in the foothills of the Alps on land sloping down to a lake with a backdrop of mountains. Together with its associated hotel, it has been developed into a first class, family run site with good, modern facilities. All of the 120 touring pitches have 16A electricity and fresh and waste water connections. The grass and gravel pitches are level, some are on terraces and some are shaded by trees. A range of interesting activities are provided, particularly for children, including painting, pony riding and entertainment programmes in summer.

Quietly situated, but very busy in high season, this lakeside site with mountain views is a useful base for excursions, with Füssen and the famous castles of Neuschwanstein and Hohenschwangau close by. Right by the Forggensee, with a beach and jetty (the water level of the reservoir can vary), it is on slightly undulating ground. The 300 pitches (230 for touring units) are all individual ones with some terracing, most have hardstanding and are from 60-120 sq.m, with 16A electrical connections (long leads may be necessary), and there is a separate meadow for tents in summer.

Park-Camping Lindau am See is a large site with 330 pitches (270 for tourers) in the most southern point of Bavaria, on the banks of the Bodensee and just a few kilometres from the Austrian border. Under enthusiastic, young ownership, the site has level, marked and numbered pitches (85 with 10A electricity, water and drain) on grass and gravel with tarmac access roads. Some pitches have shade from mature trees, others are more open, and there are good views over the Bodensee. There is a separate area for tents and 12 overnight pitches outside the barrier.

Camping Stein is a family-run 4-star site located on Lake Simssee, between lush meadows, dense forests and shimmering lakes, in the heart of Upper Bavaria. Not far from the Austrian border, it's an ideal base for exploring the majestic Bavarian Alps, Munich, Salzburg and Lake Chiemsee with Castle Herrenchiemsee and Frauenchiemsee or Chiemgauer Seenplatte, one of the oldest nature reserves in Bavaria. Several cycle routes and hiking trails lead from the campsite up into the wooded hills and through the peaceful valleys.