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I wouldn't worry about booking sites - it's a very British thing to do.  We have only ever booked sites once - and that was the first time we went abroad!  Never do now and never had a problem.

I think the only time you might feel you need to book is July and first 2 weeks of August, which is the busiest time of year.

Denise

We got caught out by the Dutch/German school holidays earlier in the year. If I understand the situation correctly they have two weeks around the end of May beginning of June although apparently they don't always come as a fortnight if you see what I mean. We arrived on a site in Italy that was full and had to wait until the following day for an official pitch! I think my advice would be is if there is a campsite you particularly want to go to then book during those times. Perhaps a Google would throw up the dates? However if you just want certain areas rather than particular campsites I am sure you would find somewhere. Holland certainly and a lot of German sites have someone who can speak English so you could always phone ahead to see if they have space.

David

Quote: Originally posted by hoedown on 27/10/2009

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We are considering a trip through Belgium, Holland, Germany up to Denmark next year, starting 9th May (£58 ferry already booked!) We have vague recollections of reading somewhere that 2 weeks during May are school holidays. Can anyone advise us more specifically when they would be?

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German holidays depend on the region. Generally: easter holidays from around 1. April to around 21. April, summer holidays between 25. June and 29. August.

Some regions have additional May/June holidays (Baden-Württemberg, Bavaria, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern: 02/06-13/06; Hamburg: 18/05-23/05; Sachsen-Anhalt: 22/05-29/05; some others: 22/05 only. These may be popular for short trips to the nearest campsite or the seaside. Hamburgers may go to Denmark. But usually you should be fine in Germany without prior arrangements except for the high season.

You can find a list on http://www.genesis-reisen.de/ferientermine.php

School holidays here are not always at the same time. They tend to be staggered depending on which part of the country you are in but the religious holidays are always at the same time.

During Mei vakantie (the May vacation) , Hemelsvaart (June 14th I think next year) and Pinksteren (May 23/34)  , I would always book as the Dutch caravans seem to come out in force during those breaks and tent to stay for the whole week around those days.

As David said, dont be afraid to call and speak English.

Angie

Edited to add....

When it is public holidays, sites do not take camping cheques or ACSI cards. In fact the rate usually increases with some sites charing ridiculously high prices !

And alot of sites also only book for a certain period (usually at least 3 nights)

Capt. Lightning is right about everything. Booking in Germany is only advisable for the large holiday-park type of sites. In Holland there are some restrictions for the minimum stay on some sites. Those ones might be advisable to book. In all other cases I just turn up in the afternoon.

And we could do with lots of British caravanners over here! Try Hamburg, Bremen (!!!), Lübeck, the Weserbergland area (Hamelin). In Denmark give a thought to the island of Fyn. Some nice little old towns and fishing harbours over there (but stock up in Germany, just south of the border!).

Check that your site(s) accept Camping Cheques for the dates you want - if they do then it's not likely you'll have a problem finding a pitch as the fact that they accept CCs means it's considered 'low season' and they are likely to have free pitches.