Shouldn't the 'Hotel Recommendations' sticky also cover campsites and hostels?

[andym]

Title says it all really. Now i'm only to happy to stay in a nice hotel if I can afford it, but my impression is that a lot of people on this forum camp or stay in hostels - either through choice or necessity.

Presumably the moderators could easily retitle the thread.

Thoughts?

 

[John Ponting]

Andy, how about seperate sticky's? I'd rather go straight to the hotels rather than wade through multiple hostels and compsites.

 

[psmiffy]

you could almost have a seperate sub- forum in T&E for each catorgory - but much better would be something like the members map - different coloured pointy things for each catorgary - recommend me a "XXXXXXXXXX" threads would diminish as the map filled up

Trouble is with things like campsites everybodys oponion of what is a good campsite is different - me, I am happy if it is open, has a sit down toilet, a moderately warm shower and a basic sink to wash up in

 

[hubbike]

I am happy if it is open, has a sit down toilet, a moderately warm shower and a basic sink to wash up in

that's more or less my criteria too, although I've paid for less. I've paid for hotels with less too...

For me one of the drawbacks of recommending a hostel, for example, is that the best experiences are often due to a great atmosphere created by a group of staff members (or other guests) who might well be long gone by the time someone visits (based on your recommendation) only to find the place has no soul...

 

[andym]

Andy, how about seperate sticky's? I'd rather go straight to the hotels rather than wade through multiple hostels and compsites.

Well yes, maybe - and arguably the touring tips thread is pretty unwieldy, but equally I think there is an argument for limiting the number of stickies, althoughI don't know what the ideal number is.

Trouble is with things like campsites everybodys oponion of what is a good campsite is different - me, I am happy if it is open, has a sit down toilet, a moderately warm shower and a basic sink to wash up in

Hmm. If that's your definition of a good campsite, as opposed to merely tolerable, you must have stayed at some pretty awful ones.

I suspect actually there'd be a lot of agreement about what makes a good campsite. Yesterday I went from a quietish campsite with lots of grass and space and trees and a panoramic view. The next campsite on was full of semi-permanent caravans squashed together on gravel haed standings and resembled a shanty-town (you've toured Italy I'm sure you know the sort of site I mean). OK it might be bearable for a night but would you actually stay there if you had a choice?.

A
EDIT: And as for hostels put it this way, I syayed at a lovely hostel on an island/nature reserve on the Lago Trasimeno in Umbria. Panoranic views over olive groves, over the lake to the mountains beyond. The only drawback was that the first boat in the morning left at 9.30. Is it a place I'd want to recommend to other touring cyclists and I think others might want to know about. Absolutely:

http://www.fattoriaisolapolvese.com/home_eng.htm

 

[Angelfishsolo]

Re campsites - I have always preferred basic ones. If the site has a pool, clubhouse et al I feel I am paying for things I am not going to use. Also I like the idea of slumming it as when I get home I am more appreciative of my home comforts. Nothing worse than staying in a multi star hotel and getting home to find your home worse than said hotel. (well actually many things are worse but you get the point I hope )

 

[andym]

Re campsites - I have always preferred basic ones. If the site has a pool, clubhouse et al I feel I am paying for things I am not going to use. Also I like the idea of slumming it as when I get home I am more appreciative of my home comforts. Nothing worse than staying in a multi star hotel and getting home to find your home worse than said hotel. (well actually many things are worse but you get the point I hope )

No I'm not sure I do get your point (and I think you are missing the point). Who said recommendations for campsites would or should be for sites wth pools etc? I suspect most people on here prefer simple sites and might find recommendations about good simple sites handy (OK maybe not the hairshirt brigade).

And you surely aren't arguing you would choose to stay at a crappy campsite or hostel because it would make you appreciate home comforts when you got home?

 

[Angelfishsolo]

No I'm not sure I do get your point. Who said recommendations for campsites would or should be for sites xith pools etc? I suspect most people on here prefer simple sites and might find recommendations abiut good simple sites handy.

And you surely aren't arguing yiu would choose to stay at a crappy campsite or hostel because it would make yiu feel better when yiu got home?

Your last paragraph is what I am saying (my personal choice). To me a camp-site is just somewhere I rest and sleep. So toilets running water and a shower are all I need. Flat ground is a huge bonus

 

[andym]

IWhat a shame - a constructive suggestion becomes an opportunity for trolling. OK you're not interested why stick your oar in?

 

[Angelfishsolo]

I think you are simply trolling.

I am trolling because I don't like expensive camp-sites?????? I have camped in one form or another since I was 7 years old and have always preferred the "Slum it" option. It is my choice - I am not saying it should be the choice of others. What is your problem with that?

 

[Angelfishsolo]

IWhat a shame - a constructive suggestion becomes an opportunity for trolling. OK you're not interested why stick your oar in?

So when psmiffy states "Trouble is with things like campsites everybodys oponion of what is a good campsite is different - me, I am happy if it is open, has a sit down toilet, a moderately warm shower and a basic sink to wash up in " is he also Trolling. I am saying the same thing as him!

 

[andym]

Again who said we were talking about recommendations for expensive campsites? If this were a 'do you prefer cheap campsites to expensive campsites?' thread then your posts might have had some relevance but as it is you've simply missed the point.

In all those years of camping you've never come across a site you would want to recommend to other touring cyclists?

And psmiffy's point was made in the context of trying to have constructive discussion.

A

 

[Angelfishsolo]

Again who said we were talking about recommendations for expensive campsites? If this were a 'do you prefer cheap campsites to expensive campsites?' thread then your posts might have had some relevance but as it is you've simply missed the point.

And psmiffy's point was made in the context of trying to have constructive discussion.

It seems to me you turned the thread into "why choose to stay in cheap campsites" when you said "Hmm. If that's your definition of a good campsite, as opposed to merely tolerable, you must have stayed at some pretty awful ones.

I suspect actually there'd be a lot of agreement about what makes a good campsite. Yesterday I went from a quietish campsite with lots of grass and space and trees and a panoramic view. The next campsite on was full of semi-permanent caravans squashed together on gravel haed standings and resembled a shanty-town (you've toured Italy I'm sure you know the sort of site I mean). OK it might be bearable for a night but would you actually stay there if you had a choice?."


Anyway, I have said my piece and agreed with psmiffy.

 

[psmiffy]

So when psmiffy states "Trouble is with things like campsites everybodys oponion of what is a good campsite is different - me, I am happy if it is open, has a sit down toilet, a moderately warm shower and a basic sink to wash up in " is he also Trolling. I am saying the same thing as him!

eeeeeeeeeeeek Moi le :troll:

Hmm. If that's your definition of a good campsite, as opposed to merely tolerable, you must have stayed at some pretty awful ones.

My definition of a “merely tolerable” campsite is much more basic – it just has to exist and be open so that I do not have to go into my one hour pre darkness routine of finding somewhere sauvage – access to a toilet at a campsite is very much a given as is some form of running water – however – I have stayed at “official” campsite where either one or the other is absent – I am though pretty self sufficient on the bike and really cannot remember many occasions where I have camped somewhere and left disgruntled (Utrecht City Camping – excepted – ADAC approved – do not ever venture there)

I suspect actually there'd be a lot of agreement about what makes a good campsite. Yesterday I went from a quietish campsite with lots of grass and space and trees and a panoramic view. The next campsite on was full of semi-permanent caravans squashed together on gravel haed standings and resembled a shanty-town (you've toured Italy I'm sure you know the sort of site I mean). OK it might be bearable for a night but would you actually stay there if you had a choice?.

A
EDIT: And as for hostels put it this way, I syayed at a lovely hostel on an island/nature reserve on the Lago Trasimeno in Umbria. Panoranic views over olive groves, over the lake to the mountains beyond. The only drawback was that the first boat in the morning left at 9.30. Is it a place I'd want to recommend to other touring cyclists and I think others might want to know about. Absolutely:

http://www.fattoriai...om/home_eng.htm

As to what I always call the “Italian Idiosyncratic campsites” you describe above and often find in the mountains – yes they are like camping in a graveyard for mini-caravans – generally well devoid of people – but Ive always for some reason or other has a bit of a laugh staying at them – either with the other inmates when they pop out of the woodwork or the owners and have left feeling that I have had a jolly time

As to my definition of an “excellent campsite” it starts with a perfectly manicured grassy well drained east facing pitch with a slight fall so that it sheds water– I open the doors in the morning with the sun on my face and a perfect view of the mountains/sea/river - with a tall hedge behind perfectly aligned perpendicular to the westerly prevailing wind – and goes through heated toilet block with high flow hot showers and gigantic shower heads, free hot running water for washing up, free washing machines and tumble driers and finishes somewhere around abundant hot naked wimen of easy virtue - pm me for location of latter

For me campsites are pot luck – I cycle up the drive, pays me money pitches me tent – sometimes they are tolerable but the location is fantastic, sometimes they are good and the location mundane – sometime they are excellent and the women are hot and naked – that’s touring - the idea of trying to determine the quality and scope of the facilities in advance is totally alien to me – location is everything - ie where I happen to be located at that moment in time - which is why I suggested a map – simple coloured pins ala google - - for basic – nice – full service – a space for a bit of text giving a brief review/recommendation – maybe GPS coods - the best of all worlds for all people – who knows if we all contributed it might become the definitive campsite resource for all cycle tourers – I would contribute myself but unfortunately I am a bit hazy with respect to most of the 500 or so campsites I have stayed at

 

[hubbike]

I stayed in a fantastic camp site in Vicuna in Chile. Man it was good. A small little patch of ground on the back of a farm. Nestled under the foot hills of the Andes. There were grapes hanging off the vine to help yourself to, there was a small pool, a ping pong table, an shaded outdoor area with a bbq and a stove to cook on and tables and chairs. Absolutely lovely. Cost about £2 a night.

So there is a recommendation. sadly I'm not sure very many readers of this thread will head off to Chile just to stay there! The world is full of many many camp sites, many not listed on websites or guide books. I could recommend another 50 brilliant ones just in Chile. Let alone Argentina which is a country that is camping mad!!

Every time I see the Hotel recommendation thread it sticks in my throat a bit. "Touring and Expedition" implies people that travel cheap and far. Hostels and camp sites fits the bill much better.

Even when made a sticky it has taken a long time to gain any interest. In 3 years it has 52 replies. The thread about YHA got 90 replies in a month. That implies that a list of hotels it isn't relevant here or very useful to anyone. The scope is quite narrow.

The touring tips sticky is much more suitable as it covers many simple tips and tricks that a new visitor to the forum might find useful.

What I always ask fellow tourers when I pass them is "Where's the best place you've been?" because if someone else liked it, I might too.