Hamburg is our home port and from here we regularly weigh anchor during the beautiful summer weekends. But instead of hoisting the sails, we prefer to open the roof of the Bulli and explore the most beautiful nature camps in the region. Here are our five favourite family camps in Northern Germany:
The Schaalsee Camp in Sterley-Pipersee
Pure adventure is guaranteed at the Schaalsee Camp including canoe and kayak rental between Schaalsee and Piepersee. For the little ones there is a shallow bathing lake with a sandy beach and older adventurers can enjoy one of the many paddle tours around the camp. Sleeping in the middle of nature - either directly on the shore of the Schaalsee canal or on one of the pitches at the edge of the forest. If you arrive without a tent, camper or caravan, you can rent one of the camp's own covered wagons or tipis in the Wild West style. In the evening there is a crackling campfire romance under the starry sky.
The Elbe-Camp in Hamburg Blankenese
The drive to the Elbe-Camp takes us less than half an hour, but still we feel like we are transferred into another world every time we are there. Because: Campers are guaranteed to leave the hustle and bustle of the big city at home here on the Falkensteiner Ufer. Behind a wooded hillside we camp under bushes and shrubs in the first row to the Elbe beach. Campers and caravans are allowed to sit under large trees a little further away from the shore. The café "Lüküs" spoils day guests and campers with self-cooked organic dishes, coffee and cake as well as freshly tapped cold drinks. The absolute highlight, apart from the wide sandy beach, is the panorama: digging and romping with a view of the passing thick pots and always within sight of the cranes of the Hamburg harbour.
And the best: The Elbe-Camp is run by the non-profit association "Kinderschutz & Jugendwohlfahrt" - so every camper automatically becomes a donor.
The Camp Langholz in Waabs
"We like to camp different" is the motto of this jewel in the Eckernförde Bay. Camp Langholz is one of the few places in first row to the popular Baltic Sea beach. But not only the prime location is special here, we also like the chilly atmosphere far away from the clichéd camping image with German flags, tacky country music and so on. The camp's own café "Strandräuber" serves everything except curry sausage (but always freshly prepared and regional) and in the small organic shop "Proviantamt" campers can stock up on provisions. Tent sleepers are just as welcome here as camper or caravan drivers, and those who don't have their own roof over their heads can simply rent one of the much sought-after accommodations. In addition to bungalows and apartments, there are even colourfully painted circus wagons, luxury safari tents and trekking pods - glamping through and through!
Zum Hexenwäldchen in Blankenförde-Kakeldütt
Children's animation in a different way: At the nature campground Zum Hexenwäldchen children are not only welcome guests, but are even spoiled with their own program. The offer ranges from evening fairy tale lessons in a tepee, fishing courses and archery to their own petting zoo with rabbits, ponies, horses and pigs. You can swim in the close by Jamelsee in the Müritz National Park and if you are lucky you might even catch one of the many campsites directly on the shore. Thanks to the camp's own rental station, nothing stands in the way of a canoe or kayak trip, and in the evening the crackling campfire or sauna with lake views warms your tired bones.
Camping ground Lühesand in Grünendeich
Ready for the island? A pure Robin Crusoe feeling awaits visitors at Camping Lühesand, as the Elbe island in the Alte Land near Stade can only be reached by ferry. Cars have to stop on the other shore of the Elbe and Campers are only ferried for longer stays. After the crossing a more than three kilometre long green camping paradise without electricity or plot boundaries attracts visitors. But don't worry: guests here don't have to give up luxury far from civilization completely, as the island restaurant offers its legendary farmer's breakfast and cold beers. Well then, cheers!