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.

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.

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.

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.

This established, family run site is set beside a small river at 700 m, on the side of an attractive alpine pass in the Bavarian Alps. It is an excellent location all year for walking, climbing and in the winter for snowboarding and cross-country skiing. All 120 touring pitches have 16A electricity and TV connections and ten have water and drainage. Grassed areas on the site are allowed to develop without too much attention and contain a colourful sprinkling of wild flowers.

Camping Waldesruh in Wertach, Bavaria, is an open all-year-round site which is a small, cosy and quiet site with a family flair. The town centre can be reached in 10 minutes on foot. Due to the large playground located on the edge of the forest and by the stream, it is also ideal for families with children. The fairground for the cattle drive in autumn is also only a 5-minute walk away. In bad weather, the little ones can romp around in the playroom while the grown-ups meet in the rustic lounge (with TV) for a social gathering. In winter, there is a toboggan hill right next to the site, which is also illuminated, and you can also join the Wertach cross-country ski trail network from the site.

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.

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.

The Haas family have developed this friendly site just off the attractive Romantische Strasse very well and run it very much as a family site, providing a useful information sheet in English for their guests. The lake provides swimming and wildlife for children and adults to enjoy. Alongside it are 50 marked touring pitches with 16A electrical connections, on flat grass arranged in rows either side of a tarmac access road. With an average of 120 sq.m. per unit, it is a comfortable site with an open feeling and developing shade. There are three pleasant, flat, grass areas with unmarked pitches by the entrance, for people with tents.

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.

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.

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 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.

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.