For years Carol herself struggled with camping guides and country campground lists from tourist offices, which commonly use only symbols for descriptions and include little information on how to drive to the campgrounds.  She also struggled with travel books that don't tell readers how to drive to points of interest.  Her primary goal in writing CAMPING EUROPE is to give readers the detailed information and maps needed to experience Europe easily and affordably.  In this guide, she takes readers with her through 25 European countries where English is not the local language.  Though she loves major cities and well-known sights, she also looks for out-of-the-way fun and interesting things to do that appeal to adventurous and curious travelers.  CAMPING EUROPE is definitely more than just a list of campgrounds.  It highlights the local sights that shouldn't be missed and tells how to get to them.  And more than 300 detailed maps and accompanying directions make getting to the 900-plus selected campgrounds in 25 countries easy.

Carol wants to assure you that you won't be getting second-class facilities at campgrounds.  Catering to demanding Dutch, German, French, and British campers, popular campgrounds must have well maintained warm showers, clean toilets, common kitchen and laundry facilities, a well-equipped children's playground, grass, shade, and, if close to a city, nearby public transportation.  Location is important to popularity, so many sites are close to lakes, rivers, or the sea, or are on a hillside with a view. 

Today's camping equipment is comfortable and easy to assemble and pack into duffels.  Europeans love to cycle on their cycle-friendly roads, and so Mickelsen also provides solid advice on how to take bikes and a bike-rack along on your trip. 

CAMPING EUROPE is Carol's joyous response to 30 years of car-camping alongside relaxed and unpretentious Europeans.  She relishes in the thought of her readers, too, savoring breathtaking sunsets from a campground's terrace, pouring over maps with each other, exchanging funny travel stories, and trading hints for seeing the local sights. 

What People are saying about this book:

"Camping Europe takes readers beyond the ordinary and opens up vistas that will enhance their visit.  Her advice:  bring a bike, look for out-of-the-way adventures, and rub elbows with Europeans.  Sounds like a truly memorable experience.  Essential for libraries."
LIBRARY JOURNAL

"Camping Europe is an impressive and user friendly travel-guide.  The affordable and informative compendium offers a wealth of tips and techniques for traveling inexpensively."
MIDWEST BOOK REVIEW

"Camping is . . . one of the most rewarding, least expensive ways to see the world and meet other travelers . . . this book is a godsend.  Even if you've never camped before, it will hold your hand for the entire experience . . ."
BIG WORLD

Excerpts from the book:

Italy:
Italy is a country where love, food, art, and business are joined in near perfection.  An easy-going ambiance pervades in a happy, sometimes haphazard way. Here there is no need to fret over the imperfections of life.  Perhaps it's this-true-to-nature simplicity that is Italy's most important charm and lure.  

Vienna, Austria/Campground Directions:
Northwest of the city, close to the Danube, in Klosterneuburg off 14. Drive east of Klosterneuburg to the train station.  Turn east, following signposting under the train tracks and across the small bridge to the campground.  Donaupark-Camping Klosterneuburg (022 432 5877); large, in a recreational area with large swimming pool and tennis courts; a doable but lengthy ride by bike along the Danube to the historic area; closeby public transport to the historic center; especially nice café, internet access, and children's playground; all the amenities; open all year; $$$.  *Closest to the city.  On the east side of the Danube, close to the intersection of A22 and A23 exit Olhafen Lobau.  Aktiv-Camping Neue Donau (01 202 4010); large; traffic noise; little shade; public transport close by; all amenities; open mid-May-Sept; $$$.  *West of the city in the suburb of Hutteldorf.  On A1 follow signs to centrum and then Hilleldorf.  Turn left on Huttelburg Str., and continue to the campgrounds.  Camping Wien-West II (01-914-2314); large, cabins; all amenities; public transport close by; open all year; $$$.

Pelion Peninsula, Greece:
The cobbled, winding streets that meander up and down the steep hillside in Makrinitsa make this village a good introduction to the area.  Visit their homey folk museum.  A well-marked, steep trail traverses farther up the mountain to the deserted monastery Sourvias.  The trailhead is off tiny plaza Branis.  Directions:  From the center of Volvos drive north in the direction of Anakassia and Portaria for 6km.  At Portaria turn northwest onto the smaller road signposted for Makrinitsa and drive 3km.  Gurgling water from the marble fountain at the town's square in picturesque Zagora invites a rest.  The center of cottage-craft industries and apple orchards, it is a good place to shop for souvenirs and pick up some delicious jam and honey for camp breakfasts.  There's great hike from Tsagarada through a steep ravine to a beach.  At the mouth of the ravine a stairway was built for managing the final steep descent. Ask at the travel agency in Agios Ioannis for the local hiking map and information about kayak rentals and horseback riding.

Take the Kids to Europe:
Giving a little sip of travel to your children, grandchildren, or school/church-group can open up immense vistas, stimulate curiosity, and provide an appreciation of life beyond oneself.  Travel changes people.  It broadens their perspective of the world and their understanding of their place in it.  Upon returning from travel, you'll notice that thinking and problem-solving abilities are sharper and children will find schoolwork is more interesting.

About the Author:

Carol Mickelsen regards travel as an essential part of an adventurous life.  Much more than just recreation, she feels it is a fine way to become educated.  "I would encourage everyone to explore the world, whether nearby or on the other side of the globe," Carol says.  "The people you will meet and the things you will learn are experiences you will always treasure."  Carol is retired from working as a professional chef and innkeeper and lives in Half Moon Bay, California .                                                                                       

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