Do you have some leave to take or a long weekend lined up and you don't yet know where your destination will be? That's the beauty of last-minute holidays: letting yourself be guided by your heart's desires and the current best deals. You're quite right! In our well-organised daily lives, a little of the unexpected and a few surprises are always welcome, especially when it comes to holidays! Here is a selection of the best destinations for enjoying a last-minute holiday without breaking the bank.
Soak up the sun's rays in Spain
Spain is the undisputed leader when it comes to seaside holidays in the sun, and it’s a great destination for last-minute family holidays. It enjoys a mild climate almost all year round, its landscapes are magnificent and its gentle pace of life invites you to take time to breathe a little, sit back and enjoy it all. The perfect place for a Spanish camping holiday that will ensure you a complete change of scenery. Vamos!
This is particularly the case for the Costa Brava, an authentic region located between the land and the sea where a thousand and one adventures and new experiences await you. If you are a nature lover, be sure to visit the Montgrí or Aiguamolls de l'Empordà nature parks. The first is a paradise for walkers, while the second is a vast luxurious haven where many species of animals and plants live in harmony. Are you looking for authenticity? You're going to be spoilt! All along the Catalan coast, typical villages offering incredible charm succeed one another: Palau, Begur, Cadaqués and Platja d'Aro to mention just a few of the most famous of them.
Finally, the wonders of Catalonia can be found on land but also underwater. For this, make your way to Medes Islands, off the coast of L'Estartit. They are home to an amazing wealth of marine life that is a source of joy and wonder for divers from around the world. If you want to enjoy the underwater world without having to go scuba-diving, try snorkelling with a tuba and flippers, or take a trip on a glass-bottomed boat. An experience to be enjoyed with the family or as a couple!
Be amazed by Belgium
The Low Country, as it is known, is very much an outsider in this ranking, but this neighbour of France, the Netherlands and Germany has a great many attractions that will win you over. Forget any preconceptions you may have because you may be surprised and find yourself falling under its spell!
The first thing that comes to mind is its luxurious natural environment, an invitation to enjoy a rest as much as to explore. In the heart of the Belgian Ardennes, walkers will delight in following one or more hiking trails to combine sport with the pleasure of the senses. Adventurers of every hue will set out on bicycles around the beautiful Belgian countryside before rounding off their day with a refreshing and well-deserved swim in the river!
History and heritage lovers will find plenty to indulge their passion in Arlon with its archaeological museum, in Orval with its abbey, and in Durbuy with its feudal castle. Belgian heritage and history will hold no more secrets for you! As we said: these camping holidays in Belgium are pretty astonishing!
Recharge your batteries in Normandy
You don't have to go all that far for a change of scenery: France is packed with destinations that are as varied as your tastes. Let's start with one of the most popular destinations with both foreign tourists and locals: Normandy. Time to discover Normandy at a campsite!
Whether you're a nature lover, a history buff, a foodie or a sportsman at heart, the beautiful region of Normandy has everything you need and much more! First stop: the D-Day landing beaches, the stage for the decisive moments of the Second World War. A walk along Omaha Beach and Utah Beach will be a moving experience you won't forget in a hurry. Then round off the tour with a visit to one of the many museums on this theme which offer young and old alike the chance to obtain a behind-the-scenes look at this major episode of history.
Now that you've enjoyed some culture, it's time for nature and the Norman heritage! Whether on foot or by bike, discovering the beautiful Normandy region will be a highly enjoyable experience: from the famous cliffs of Etretat to Ouistreham lighthouse, including a visit to the stylish town of Deauville and oyster tasting in Barfleur, you will be constantly amazed. Don't forget your camera so that you can capture these spectacular landscapes on paper (or in a digital version)!
Take it easy in Brittany
Another top destination for holidaymakers is Brittany. The invigorating sea air, the varying shades of green and blue, the fishing ports and typical villages, it's hard not to fall for the charms of this region between the land and the sea.
The coastline of Brittany offers magnificent sandy beaches, secret coves and mysterious islands that invite you to get away from it all. Raguenez beach in Névez looks as if it could be in the Caribbean with its white sand beach and vivid blue waters. It's easy to understand why Bretons have renamed it "Tahiti Beach"! Inexperienced sailors will be able to take a boat to tour the Glénan islands, one of Brittany's hidden treasures.
On land, from the Côte d'Armor to Finistère, a host of magnificent destinations await you: Perros-Guirec, Concarneau and Bénodet to mention but a few. We'll leave it up to you to discover all the others! For experienced hikers or occasional walkers, the GR34 or "Customs Path" offers you the chance to follow the stunning Côte de Granit Rose with the blue of the ocean on one side and the vivid green of the Breton countryside on the other side. Magical! Finally, all these excursions will build up your appetite and offer you the perfect excuse to savour some Breton specialities: Kouign amann, savoury or sweet pancakes, and of course the famous salted butter caramel to be enjoyed in all its various forms. Your taste buds will be spoilt for choice and the experience will help to ensure that your camping holiday in Brittany is one you won’t forget in a hurry!
Be bewitched by Corsica
It isn't called the "island of beauty" for nothing! Every year, its heavenly beaches and crystal clear waters are a hit with holidaymakers looking for a little piece of paradise just a few hours away by plane.
This Mediterranean gem offers picture-postcard beaches. Those of Anghione and Saleccia are among the most beautiful in Corsica. Another natural treasure not to be missed is the Agriates Desert, a unique natural area covering 15,000 hectares with a magnificent coastline, hiking trails that wind between the sea and the maquis, and an exceptional flora and fauna. The Corsican hinterland is not only attractive, it also offers its share of amazement as well as a complete change of scenery: hire a car and discover its villages of character such as Nonza, Saint-Florent, Corte, not to mention the colourful town of Bastia and its famous Place Saint-Nicolas.
When it comes to activities, there is plenty to do both on land and on water. Taking a canoe, a paddleboard or a boat and floating over the blue waters of the Mediterranean will be a very special moment, almost one of complete perfection. Finally, it isn't possible to leave Corsica without tasting its culinary specialities, of which there are many: brocciu, fiadone, figatellu, Patrimonio wines, not to mention hazelnuts, the island's star product. Enjoy them all without moderation and be sure to bring some back with you in your luggage as a souvenir!
Educate yourself in Paris
Whether it's the first time or the hundredth time, you never tire of visiting the City of Lights which is rightly recognised as being "the most beautiful city in the world": its cultural life is rich at all times of the year and it is packed with amazing and unique monuments, a host of great restaurants for gourmets, and nature is just a few minutes away by public transport. Paris really does tick all the boxes for a last-minute camping holiday destination!
What to do while you are in Paris? To be honest, there isn’t really any pre-established programme because it all depends on what interests you. A day at Disneyland for children and those who are still young at heart, a visit to the Palace of Versailles for those who appreciate exceptional historic monuments, not to mention a visit to the Louvre Museum and its treasures which will delight art lovers. In short, it's up to you to create your own tailor-made programme!
Camping, the perfect solution for your last-minute holiday
Of course, a last-minute holiday means a last-minute rental! And what could be better than camping? It combines flexibility in terms of dates and value for money. Camping also means you have a wide range of accommodation to suit all tastes: traditional mobile homes, pitches, or an original cosy nest such as a lodge, a tree-house, or a tepee! And all this without having to compromise on comfort: amazing!
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