The Rhône Valley is a popular through route to Italy via the Simplon Pass and a holiday region in its own right. Gemmi is a delightful small, friendly site in a scenic location with 65 level touring pitches, all with 16A electricity, on grass amidst a variety of trees, some of which offer shade. There are 41 pitches with water, 26 with drainage as well. Some pitches have TV connections. Always well maintained, the grounds have been greatly improved by the enthusiastic new owners. Seven seasonal pitches remain, with one unit to rent. This site will be enjoyed by campers of all ages. Enjoying some of the best climatic conditions in Switzerland, this valley, between two mountain regions, has less rainfall and more hours of sunshine than most of the country.

Camping Simplonblick is a fairly small, traditional-style campsite close to the beautiful Valais mountains. The site makes a great base for cycling or walking in this popular region. Pitches are generally level, on grass and there are a number of mobile homes available to rent. The playground, giant chess, and the modernised pool should keep younger guests entertained.

Meride is a small village in the extreme south of Switzerland close to the Italian border and not far from the A2/N2 motorway. The site is on a slight slope 1 km. from the village. There is space for 65 small touring units with 13A electricity connections available for all (long leads required). The pitches are not numbered or marked out but are level on terraces, mostly among tall trees. When the site is busy, units could be crowded, it is therefore requested that towing cars are parked outside. This site would make a good stopover, with a refreshing dip in the pool welcome at the end of a long journey.

An attractive and popular site with good standards, Bella-Tola is on the hillside above Susten (east of Sierre) with good views over the Rhône valley. The site has been extensively terraced with sectors allocated to seasonal units, a tour operator and touring units. All of the 140 individually numbered pitches have 16A electricity connections. The fullest season is mid July - mid August when reservation is advised, but there is usually room somewhere. The site boasts a good sized, heated swimming pool and children’s pool (both free to campers) which, like the restaurant and bar overlooking them, are also open to non-campers and so more crowded at weekends and holidays.

The village of Reckingen is about halfway between Brig and the Furka/Grimsel passes. You can still get the train with a car and caravan, or a motorhome, from Oberwald to Andermatt to avoid the steep climbs and descents of the Furka Pass, but in doing so you will miss some exhilarating and unforgettable scenery. This family run site, at 1,326 m. provides 100 level pitches for touring units, all with 10A electricity. There is a little shade. Water points are equipped with long hoses. It provides an excellent base for walking, climbing or cycling as well as rafting on the Rhône in the summer or skiing in the winter.

Camping de Molignon, surrounded by mountains, is a peaceful haven 1,450 m. above sea level. The rushing stream at the bottom of the site and the sound of cow bells and birdsong are likely to be the only disturbing factors in summer. The 95 pitches for touring units (all with 10A electricity) are on well tended terraces leading down to the river. Six chalets are available to rent. Excellent English is spoken by the owner’s son who is now running the site. He is always pleased to give information on all that is available from the campsite. The easy uphill drive from Sion in the Rhône Valley is enhanced by ancient villages and the Pyramids of Euseigne.

Camping Lugano is a modern south-facing site leading onto Lake Lugano. It must rank as one of the better sites in Switzerland for a complete family holiday. There are 250 numbered pitches (around 200 for touring units) all with 10A Europlug and 26 have water and drainage. Trees in most parts of the site offer shade to those who prefer less direct sunshine. Cars must be left in the car park, which makes the site less cluttered and safer for children. The site is only a short distance from the airport, so there will be some daytime aircraft noise. Roads have been re-laid and a marina has been built giving full access for watersports enthusiasts.

This site, run by an English-speaking owner, has a total of 320 pitches, most occupied by static caravans and 80 for tourers. The site is slightly unusual in that much of the terrain has been deliberately left in its natural state. The wooded section gives good shade and tree formations and access roads determine where units go. There is a central open meadow and some quiet spots are a little further from the amenities. Most pitches, although unmarked, have 10A electricity points available. One part of the site may be reserved, but some space is usually available.

Camping Eggishorn is peacefully situated 400 m. from the village centre. There are 80 pitches for touring on flat grassy ground plus 20 spaces for tents, with some shade and fine views of the surrounding mountain scenery, and there are 100 seasonal units. All have electricity connections (16A Europlugs), many also have water, waste water, TV and radio connections. The site’s restaurant specialises in local cuisine, and other amenities include a small shop and a heated toilet block with special facilities for disabled visitors. In winter this is an important skiing region with a cross-country circuit just 100 m. from the site and downhill skiing on the Fiescheralp.

Camping Mischabel is attractively located close to the ski resort of Saas-Grund, near the head of a remote valley in the mountains of southeast Switzerland. The 150 pitches are grouped in several distinct grassy areas, some open, others with trees providing shade; most have views of the surrounding mountain peaks. Electricity connections (10A) are available. There is a small kiosk selling drinks, ices and hiking maps, and a WiFi zone. Buses run from the site entrance to the villages of Saas-Almagell, Saas-Grund, and Visp. The area provides endless opportunities for lovers of the ‘great outdoors’ - Saas-Grund is known as The Hiking Pearl.

An agreeable site close to the route from Saint Gotthard to the south, Riarena may appeal both to those who are looking for a convenient night stop and to those seeking a holiday site, as it has a medium sized swimming pool and a children’s pool. Most of the site is covered by tall trees and is in a peaceful setting, although regular trains pass by. The 210 pitches (150 for touring units) are now all individually marked, with 10A electricity connections available. July is the busiest month – there is usually space at other times. There may be some aircraft noise from a small airfield nearby.

Paradiso Lago sits against a backdrop of beautiful wooded mountains and is an ideal site if you are stopping to explore the towns around Lake Lugano. Its 200 grassy pitches, some open some with shade, have 6A electricity hook-ups and slope gently down to the water’s edge where there is a small pebble beach. The lake provides plenty of opportunities for recreation, with swimming, fishing, diving, windsurfing and water-skiing. A motorway and a railway line run close to the site, so some noise is inevitable.

Camping Delta is an easy 800 m. walk or cycle ride from the centre of the lovely lakeside town of Locarno. It has a prime position right by the lake, with bathing direct from the site between 07.00 and 22.00, and is next to the municipal lido and sports field. The site has some moorings on an inlet at one side, with a jetty. It has 250 level touring pitches (50-100 sq.m). They are marked out at the rear but with no other demarcation, giving an informal mix of all kinds of camper. Waterside pitches are premium priced.

Camping du Grand Paradis is the perfect jumping-off point for countless hiking, snowshoeing, skiing or biking excursions, it is a haven for nature and sports lovers alike with a laid-back, friendly atmosphere and an idyllic setting on the banks of a pristine alpine stream. At the gateway to the Canton of Valais and just 90 minutes from Geneva, the site nestles snugly in a bucolic forest in the shadow of the spectacular Dents du Midi Mountain range. Open all year, the site sits at the foot of the ski slopes and the legendary World Cup downhill biking track. In mere minutes, a high-speed 6-man chairlift next door (open in winter) or the village cable-car whisks visitors into the heart of the vast Portes du Soleil recreational area. On site facilities include a covered picnic area with barbeque pit, a Parcours Vita fitness trail, a cross-country ski area and Wi-Fi. The site has 54 pitches of which 23 are for touring units and have 13/10amp electric hook-up point.

Now that most traffic uses the N2 motorway, the B2 Gotthard - Bellinzona one is used mainly by local vehicles and is, therefore, much quieter. Al Censo is a very pretty campsite with an abundance of flowers and shrubs and backed by a mountain face. Although the site is on a slope and levellers may be needed in places, the 138 pitches, all of which have electricity (6A), are level and amongst mature trees with an overflow section for tents just outside the entrance. Reception and a shop are in the entrance building, which has a small covered terrace where drinks are served. No arrivals between 12.00 and 14.00.

Easily accessible from the autoroute (A9) and close to the town centre, this site has a total of 225 pitches. There are 185 for touring units, all with 6/10A electricity (long leads may be necessary) and most on level, grassy ground (some slope slightly). There are 18 pitches with some hardstanding for motorhomes. A number of trees provide some shade, although the site is fairly open allowing views of the surrounding mountains. Being close to the autoroute and located near an industrial area, the site can be quite noisy at times. With its ease of access and close proximity to shops, it makes a convenient night stop when travelling along the Rhône Valley for the Saint Bernard Pass.

Locarno in Ticino, the most southern of the Swiss cantons, is a very popular holiday area with activities associated with lakes and mountains. Being in the north west of Locarno, Avegno is also a good base from which to visit Lake Maggiore and this part of northern Italy. There are a number of very good sites around, and we add this one to give as much choice as possible. During our stay we were impressed with the friendly, relaxed atmosphere. Peace and quiet is encouraged, so not a site for those who like to socialise late into the evening.

At the eastern end of Lac Léman (Lake Geneva) with mountain and lakeside views, Camping Rive-Bleue is an excellent destination for family holidays whilst affording quiet relaxation. The car-free camping area is a level 300 m. from the related hotel, restaurant and lido complex with free entry to campers. It has an excellent pool and paddling pool, with beautiful lawns leading down to the sandy lakeside beach. There are pedalos and canoes for hire, and a sailing school. The site has 220 marked touring pitches on well tended flat grass, with some shade from maturing trees and 150 of these have 8-12A Europlugs. A pleasant pathway leads to the marina and town.