5 Star Camping in Switzerland - Stop Three of our Summer Tour 2016

5 Star Camping on the shores of Lake Thun, Switzerland

Our 2015 Summer vacation was the first year in over a decade of motorhome touring we had ever experienced lakeside camping; taking in campsites on the shores of Lake Lugano in Switzerland and the north Italian lakes of Iseo and Garda.

This was something of a revelation and as we enjoyed ourselves so much the plan for our Summer 2016 tour was more of the same.....just hopefully in different places!

Moving on from Kaysersberg and intending, (as we were) to make for Venice, the route was planned via Switzerland and into northern Italy via the Gothard Tunnel.

Our intended route seemed totally plausible in three weeks

Last year's expedition had us stopping off in Switzerland at the eye-wateringly expensive Camping International Lido Luzern and then onto the marvellous TCS Camping Lake Lugano - Muzzano, before entering into northern Italy. This year we wanted something similar and decided there's more of Switzerland that's worth visiting so we elected to investigate some alternate stop-off destinations en route through the country.

Our experience from last years travel dates (during the peak holiday month of August) meant that we planned this years tour to include the last two weeks of August and the first week of September. By doing so it allowed for us to arrive in Switzerland just as the peak season camping rates dropped down to mid-season rates....and believe you me, any monetary advantage to be gained in Switzerland has to be grasped with both hands!

In researching the campsite options for Switzerland I used the myswitzerland website which is a fantastic resource and provides a number of filter options to aid the decision making process......for us the best starting point was 5 star quality, (which limits choices massively) and then hopefully to find one with a lakeside position.

Not surprisingly for Switzerland there are several sites in the 5 start category (and more at 4 star) that would happily meet our requirements but one in particular stood out and that was: Camping Manor Farm 1, Interlaken.

The website quote seemed to confirm it was just what we were looking for:

"First class camp site, located on the shores of Lake Thun in the middle of a beautiful mountain area with possibilities for water-sports and excursions. Also open in winter. Reductions for long stay and seniors." 

So having checked with the site directly that they would have space for us on arrival - "no problem we have plenty, just turn up and find a space" - we set a course for the shores of Lake Thun and the town of Interlaken, just a mere 140 miles from our present location of Kaysersberg.

Dash Cam footage of our route to Camping Manor Farm

On our arrival the campsite reception staff were very welcoming and spoke excellent English (albeit with an American twang)......but I was thankful as my Swiss is embarrassingly non-existent! Pleasantries over, we were duly despatched with a plan of the campsite to find a pitch we felt was suitable for us. So, off we headed down to the lakeside to see if anything might tempt us.

Surprisingly, for the middle of August, there were plenty of pitch options for us to choose from upon our arrival; however, on closer inspection the number of specific motorhome pitches was rather restricted. So, after taking into account location of trees, lake, facilities, bins, neighbours etc etc. we chose a motorhome pitch we felt would suit and made our way back to reception to check in.

Plenty of pitch options for the middle of August

Once we had checked in we made our way down to the pitch, levelled up and then realised we didn't have the correct electric cable required! Thankfully, the site recognise this is a short-coming for many touring Brits and have a plentiful supply to offer for a deposit of 40CHF or € if you're short on Swiss francs.

What a Swiss Electric Hook-Up Cable looks like

Power now sorted, awning out, tables and chairs out, we could sit back and relax and enjoy the chocolate box surroundings for a few days........or more perhaps?

Van in campsite holiday mode......minus the satellite signal!

Our view across Lake Thun from the shoreline

Even the amenity blocks take on an Alpine look! 

In an attempt to capture the feel of the campsite I set up our GoPro cam onto the front post of my electric bike and took a tour of the campsite. The result of my endeavours can be viewed below...

Street View Bike Tour of Camping Manor Farm

On a final note it is worth pointing out that the price of food in Switzerland (and pretty much everything else for that matter) is frightening! With this in mind I'd strongly suggest that you stock the larder to the gunnels in France, Germany or Italy - depending which route you're travelling from - before setting up for a stay.