It seems hard to believe, but School’s out, and we are already a week and a bit into the summer hols!
With great reports we told the Small People they could choose something to do as a reward. They chose to go camping straight after school finished, and who were we to argue?
I am not what you would call a natural camper. Not all that much appeals to me about it if I am honest – from the inevitable struggle to put up the tent in the first place, to the lack of sleep caused by someone snoring near by. And then there’s the early mornings… Granted kids sleep for England thanks to all that fresh air, but once the sun rises, the temperatures tend to as well, and that’s it – everyone’s up and it’s only 5am!
I am not new to the concept however, having camped before at many a music festival. And then there was the memorable trip to the South of France with one of my best friends and her family on my 18th. Pitching our tents, we chose a site as far away as possible from her parents (we were too “cool” to be seen with them!), which meant that on the morning we needed rescuing from a giant caterpillar that had taken up residence on the outside zipped up door flap, by the time we had convinced her sister to go and find her Dad to take it off, temperatures had reached an imagined 55 degrees on the inside and we had almost suffocated (in our 18 year old minds!)…
This trip wasn’t about me however, and had my infants wanted to sleep outside under the stars, I would have done! But just in case, I let them have a good long look at our chosen sites accommodation list, and pretty soon they had come to the conclusion that the static home option was the way to go (phew!)…
Natterersee is truly a family affair, and prides itself on being a 5 star campsite. Our caravan – if you could call it that – was perhaps the most luxurious camping accommodation I have enjoyed to date – clean, modern and more than comfortable. Plus it had its own bathroom obviously, so there was no staggering across the camp-site in the middle of the night with a small person needing the loo!
And what a location. Located in a natural bowl and surrounded by the most gorgeous alpine scenery to wake up to each day! Forget lying in, I made a point of getting up early and sitting outside to listen to our feathered friends noisily making a start to their day…
With Innsbruck a mere 15 minutes up the road, Natterersee has so much going for it. The staff are super friendly and helpful, and English is widely spoken by all should your German fail you. And if like me you don’t want any camping difficulties, the sleeping options are huge and there are tents already put up for you, if like me you hate that part. Or, how about something completely different? Toad of Toad Hall style camping anyone?
Within minutes of being there, we all begin to completely relax and unwind… Not only was it great for us grown ups in terms of de-stressing, but Natterersee was complete heaven to the Small people – who chose to spend most of their time swimming in the huge lake (I know the idea of lake swimming might sound somewhat alarming to us Brits, but it’s the way to go in this part of the world – trust me!). And when we weren’t swimming, the surrounding countryside was equally gorgeous to explore! As an added bonus we visited at a time when tiny frogs were quite literally everywhere! Granted, this aspect might not appeal to everyone, but they were incredibly cute, and if you are aged seven and nine, collecting them and “helping them to safety” will keep you occupied for hours!
I might not be tempted to buy the “number” plate above for my car, but on this trip I almost found myself agreeing with it.
We will return undoubtedly at some point!
Ferienparadies Natterersee,
Natterersee 1,
A-6161 Natters/Tirol,
Austria
email: info@natterersee.com
This place looks AMAZING! And how cute is the frog :D #CountryKids
Thanks Stacey! :)
I would totally sleep in one of those circular log like cabins. They look so cute!
Sweet aren’t they? Thank you Adelina! :)
I’m not a camping person at all, but I do love the outdoors! This looks perfect for me, those cabins are so cute! And that little toad is so tiny and adorable!
Thank you! Sweet isn’t he? :)
This is stunning and reminds me of our western parts in the U.S.. We are going glamping in California in just a couple weeks… can’t wait! I’m totally fine with camping in a tent though lol. Thanks for sharing this.
Thanks Christa! Would love to camp there – not all that much chance of rain! :)
We recently started liking camping! The camp fire the stillness of the night or the splatter of the rain on the tent is just so amazing to experience. Been 2 weeks since out last camping & I miss it already! This place that you went to is really pretty! I wish we can go here but were really poor so I will just contend myself with your photos =) #countrykids
Thanks Merlinda. I think camping pretty much anywhere can be equally fun! :)
Those cabins are so cool! I’d really like to see Natterersee the next time I make it to central Europe in the summer. The hiking looks fantastic, too.
The hiking is amazing in these parts Dave, thank you! :)
Those campers are really cool and a great way to “camp” without all the work. Looks like a beautiful place with the mountains and lake…and those little frogs. They look so tiny!
Thanks so much Jenn! It’s more luxurious than many other campsites I have seen! :D
Looks beautiful. Would love to stay in those wooden cabins – very different. I also need comfort when camping – there must be good toilets and showers relatively near by.
A deal breaker for me nowadays if I don’t have those things too Emma! Thank you! :)
The title of this had me scratching my had at first. I love that your kiddies liked helping the frogs. Cute. Big thanks for linking up with us to #SundayTraveler once again.
Thanks SJ! :D
That frog is adorable! There’s a park in front of the house I grew up in and we used to collect tadpoles after the rain, but my mother would make me pour them away into a drain once their back legs grew out–didn’t want frogs jumping about in the house! Camping in Austria looks like an excellent summer vacation, with all those incredible views.
I think my Mum did the same when we would collect tadpoles in jars! :D Thank you, it is a stunning part of the world! :)
Aw the tiny frog! I actually spend a lot of time in Austria because my parents live here now & I’ve never been to Innsbruck… I should definitely change that – and glamping would be right up my alley, actually :) Thanks for this post!
Thanks Sabina, then you absolutely must go! :)
I love those tubular wooden cabins! I had never heard of the Natterersee before, but it looks like a perfect long weekend break away.
It is gorgeous Rachel, and an only a couple of hours up the road! :)
Austria is so beautiful! I love the mountains and lake – and the fact that you didn’t have to camp – haha :) Only 15 minutes away from Innsbruck is a nice touch – I loved that town! What a lovely little frog you found too.
It’s a stunning place isn’t it? Thanks so much Katie! :)
Oh those mountains x looks perfect. Bron
It felt pretty much perfect! Thanks Bron! :)
An idyllic location and fab accommodation – I may be persuaded camping after all!!! It all sounds like a wonderful break with breathtaking views and a chance for some quality family time together. Thanks for linking up and sharing with Country Kids.
Thanks Fiona, it was so relaxing! :) x
It looks absolutely stunning. Glad you had a good time. I’m all for minimal hassle camping. Hence our behemoth of a motorhome. Cool it ain’t but at least it negates the battling the tent poles in a gale etc! x
You know what though, when the weather has been like it has recently, a van or a caravan makes so much more sense too, no soggy sleeping bags! :D xx
Great to have a recommendation for a campsite in Austria, this sounds and looks perfect. We stayed in a wooden camping hut like the one in your picture last year. They are great if the weather is dodgy but in hot weather they feel and smell like a sauna! #countrykids
I can imagine! Thank you Christine! :)
The Lake Swimming thing really made me smile. I spent a few days in Germany a couple of years ago, and we were told there was a great pool – when we got there and saw it was a lake we weren’t sure we’d let the children swim, until we realised it had a cafe, a lifeguard, toilets, toys and changing rooms! Nothing like what we expected! Not quit as beautiful as yours though :)
Thanks Jenny! Yes, they really go in for it here, and for the most part they are incredibly clean and safe to swim in too! :)
Fantastic photos as ever. This camping trip sounds like it was fun and not too challenging (my kind of camping). I love the little cabins!
Definitely easy peasy camping! Thanks Sophie! :)
We have had some great camping holidays but, like you, opted for the mobile home option. Always a success and so relaxing.
This site is just beautiful. Made me think of our holiday last year in Austria – breathtaking scenery.
Austria is just stunning isn’t it? Definitely the nicest campsite I have been to date as well! Emma xx
Apart from being absolutely terrified of frogs, what an amazing place. Beautiful pictures. I’m not a camper but could definitely do a luxury mobile home. I’ll leave the tents to the boys.
A luxury mobile home and peace! Sounds idea to me! :D The frogs were cute, honestly! :D
I am definitely in the glamper, not camper, category. Those log cabins are cute and what a stunning outlook. Surrounded by beauty. If you’re going to do it, this sounds like the sort of place I’d like.
Honestly me too! If all camp sites were like this, I would do it all the time! :D Thank you Louisa! :)
What an experience and the location is stunning. I’m particularly excited reading this post as tomorrow my 14 yo boy heads off to Switzerland with his scout troop (sniff sniff!) so will experience similar views! xx
He will love it J, I am sure of it! Thank you xx
Those little pods are so Eurotrendy, I love it!
Cute aren’t they? If they did bigger versions I would definitely book one! :D Thanks Alex! :)
oh heck I am not a natural camper either! I loved this post. It just makes me want to go!! Though I am not sure about the frogs!
But they were sooooo sweeeeeet T, not big green warty things or anything! :D Thank you! :)
oh my gosh, that looks AMAZING!! I’m not a natural camper either, but I can just about cope if I have my own toilet :-)
We’re looking for a cheap ( ish ) week away in August, can you recommend anywhere you’ve been in Germany/Austria/Switzerland that won’t completely break the bank?
I would definitely start with this place Emma, so reasonable but fantastic setting… It would be worth seeing if they have a cancellation as I know they are pretty full booked, and look at Easy Jet flights to Innsbruck?? :)
Looking now!
Fingers crossed, it’s a great place! :)
Seems everyone is camping at the moment. Those circular cabins look really nice – wonder how spacious they are inside. Sounds/looks like a great place to stay.
I think the circular cabins fit two comfortably! I know J, it’s like the summer of camping! :D Thank you…
Wow, this place looks amazing! Those mountain views and the cute looking cabin pods. Looks like a great place for some peace and quite in the mountains for a nice hike.
Thanks Bee… I know, I wished we had booked for longer! :)
forgot to say at this time of the year, as I mow my lawn, those little frogs all hop like mad out of the grass in front of the mower!!!
I bet they do!! Thanks K! :)
Now, I’m not a fan of camping either, but I could survive a day or two in one of those little cabins. Very cute and the landscape is absolutely stunning x
Thanks Carolin, it’s so beautiful there! :)
Those ‘toad of toad hall’ pods – I’ve just booked a set of them for me and my rangers to stay in in September. Not quite such a marvellous location but all the same, it counts as ‘glamping’ to us LOL it looks lovely there.
Brilliant, bet the girls will love it! :)
What a lovely looking place – and I’m completely in love with those wooden barrel things! This is definitely the sort of camping that I would like to do.
And not a muddy field in sight (those have featured highly in previous camping trips I have made Penny!) :D Thank you!
How funny about your camping trip when you were 18. It never ceases to amaze me the stories I am hearing only now!! Such cute frogs and a beautiful place to stay, one couldn’t ask for more. x
It was brilliant. Thanks Mum. Yes, what do you expect from a camping trip with Miss Crowther? xx
The scenery is just stunning!! So pleased they picked a static home for you to stay in ;) . Love the round pod type accommodation, what do they call those?!
I think they might call them cabins! Thanks Debra, yes I was quite relieved at that decision! :D
Wow, what a beautiful place to stay. Your photos are gorgeous and I’m glad your kids enjoyed helping the tiny frogs. I have a short trip to Austria with my son this summer and I’m looking forward to it even more now I’ve seen this post.
Thank you Gretta! You will love Austria. Have travelled there quite a bit now so do let me know if you need any recs for anything! Emma :)
That scenery is absolutely breathtaking. What a fabulous trip.
The cylindrical wooden lodges look so cute too, I wonder what they’re like inside?
I am not sure you could fit more than two in them, but they do look cute don’t they! Thank you Liz! :)
Oh I love this! Am a camper and a glamper. Love those tube building.
Eventually, you will end up under canvas. Staggering across the campsite in the night for the loo is part of the fun? No?
Thanks Gemma… Yes, undoubtedly we will end up under canvas at some point. Hopefully at Bestival or something one day! :) xx
Wow! It looks fabulous. I take it from the pics you can take your own camping stuff if you like that sort of thing (we do – but then we have a camper van so it’s much easier than a tent – in fact the putting the tent up bit is what pushed us to get a camper in the first place…)
Getting a camper sounds like a very sensible idea! Yes, you can take your own tents, vans, yurts whatever you like it seems! :) Thank you! x
I share your love:hate of camping. I’ve found it’s easier to anticipate terrible sleep before arrival, then it’s not such a disappointment when everyone ends up wrecked! We’re just back from an awesome weekend in a yurt, which is incredibly posh compared to our usual tent, but still offers no protection to the ears when the dawn chorus begins! I just got into the habit of never looking at the clock, and dozing whenever the opportunity arose. It’s strangely liberating to never know what the time is and just listen to your body.
Those wood cabins look amazing!
I love the sound of the yurt, and of dozing when the mood takes you! Sounds perfect! Thank you H! :)
Wow I am left without words…it’s so beautiful and I hope one day we can go there and visit too. I am convinced that my girls and hubby would love it there. What is the closest airport Emma?
Closest airport would definitely be innsbruck. And quite some landing in between the mountains that must be too! :) Thanks Otilia!
Love the look of those circular cabins! I like camping, apart from the putting up and putting down of tents bit, so I love that so many places have them done for you these days! Loooks like a lovely place for a break, beautiful surroundings x
Thanks Sonya, yes I also approve of the pre-put up tent idea… No chance of anything collapsing on you in the middle of the night then either! :D xx