World Cup 2010: cheap accommodation to supporters

Fancy making that once-in-a-lifetime trip to South Africa for the football this summer, but don’t fancy leaving your wallet open to the 400 per cent hike in hotel prices that has been reported across the host country in the build up to this summer’s World Cup?

Then there is always the cheaper option of a few nights sleeping outdoors, staring at the stars and listening to the whisper of the wind in the trees –with just 1500 others.

Such will be the possibility available to the more price-conscious football fan when a vast campsite appears in Johannesburg in time for this summer’s big sporting event.

Large enough to host 1480 people – 1280 in rented tents, with a further 200 able to pitch their own canvas – Tent City will open its ‘doors’ in the Waverley Park enclave of South Africa’s biggest metropolis on June 4th – a week before the tournament begins – and close on July 16th – five days after the final at the nearby Soccer City stadium.

Rented ‘accommodation’ will cost 530 Rand (£44) per night, while those who want to pitch their own tent will be charged a lesser fee of 330 Rand (£27).

For those who prefer to stay in the UK and still watch the World Cup let findacampsite4me.com help you find your perfect location.

Camping holidays - Good for the Environment - Easy on the Budget

Camping holidays are a popular option for the environment- and budget-conscious holidaymaker and a family camping holiday gives everyone the chance to get close to nature and really explore the outdoors.



Many campsites offer the option of tenting, mobile homes or chalet accommodation, as well as activities and children's clubs so holidaymakers can enjoy some home comforts while having a break from city life on their camping holiday.

France is a perennial favourite for camping holidays, being easily accessible with thousands of well-equipped campsites. The Vendee region, Gascony, the Dordogne and Brittany are all fantastic destinations for a camping holiday. Find more camping holiday information and some great deals on camping holidays with findacampsite4me.com.

Enjoy a stylish safari

GO wild in France, Italy, Spain and Switzerland as Eurocamp adds more safari tents in 2010.



The tents will be available at parcs in Spain's Costa Brava, the Italian Lakes and Lauterbrunnen in Switzerland.

They will also be in an additional nine parcs in France in the Dordogne, Languedoc, Loire, Normandy, Riviera, Vendée and Vosges.

The super-stylish safari tents consist of two bedrooms, double master room and a twin, plus kitchen area and decked terrace.

Camping holidays are Brits' new favourite

Nearly twice as many British holidaymakers are considering a camping holiday this summer as the credit crunch forces people to cut back on expensive holidays.



New research shows camping is getting more popular, with 30% of people considering a "staycation" (camping holiday at home) this summer, compared to just 17% last year.

The survey from travel insurer LV also suggests that campers plan to spend an average of £450 on their trip and cost is the primary motivator for choosing a camping holiday at home rather than going abroad.



The most popular destinations for campers in the UK are Cornwall, where 15% are planning to go, followed by the Lake District and Devon.

Eurocamp, one of the three biggest camping holiday companies in Europe, has for the first time in 15 years returned to the English countryside. This summer, it will offer tents at nine National Trust locations including the New Forest, Scotland and the Lake District.

Winter camping takes off as Britons chose Christmas staycations

Hardy Britons are braving the freeze-up and staging a festive holiday escape to spend the New Year break on camping and caravan sites throughout the country, according to a report.



Despite the snow and ice thousands of families are choosing the peace and quiet of the countryside over overindulgence and television repeats in front of the fire at home, according to the latest research.

Record numbers of cash-strapped Britons forced to tighten their belts switched to 'staycation' holidays in UK in summer and have now extended the concept of money-saving breaks to New Year despite the plummeting temperatures.



The report by the Camping and Caravanning Club showed that bookings have soared by 48per cent on this time last year with more sites staying open over the festive period than ever before.

Bob Hill, sites director of the club, said: There is something special about camping and caravanning under the stars and our site managers always enter into the spirit of the occasion, making the experience and adventure as festive as possible.



Derwentwater in The Lake District is the hot spot this year and is almost full to capacity with just a few pitches still available.

The Christmas and New Year camping and caravaning trend was backed up by car accessories and leisure retailer Halfords which says that it has seen a surge in sleeping bag and airbed sales. Recent sales have seen a 22per cent year on year increase for sleeping bags and 70per cent for airbeds.

Diane Perry, specialist in camping equipment at Halfords said: People are looking to get away and are feeling more adventurous. Wrapping up for the cold weather and being outside adds to the festive fun and is a great way to spend time with the family.

Camping in Cornwall 'beats the recession'

Camping holidays have proven to be popular in Cornwall, with one business reporting a 20 per cent increase in turnover for this year, it has been reported.



Despite the recession and a damp summer, camping in the south-west remains a favourable pastime, Business Cornwall noted.

Camping Caradon, based in Trelawne near Looe, has had its busiest season to date and the months outside of the main summer have seen large numbers of people undertaking camping holidays at the site.



‘I think over the last 18 months or so, we feel strongly the recession has pushed people into looking for cheaper holiday options, camping being one of them,’ Stephen Cox, one of the site's managers, explained.

He added that there are reservations in the book for the next two years, which may highlight how camping holidays are here to stay.

The Association of Independent Tour Operators previously noted a trend for camping holidays in Britain, adding they represented good value for money.