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"The goal is to gather as much information as possible to ensure that the stay, not only for campers but also for visitors in general, is as pleasant as possible.".
By Gilberto Morais
Hello friends!
After publishing the 6 reasons to go to a festival in Europe, I believe it has sparked the curiosity of many, and perhaps it would be interesting to delve deeper into related topics.
So, I decided to start with this topic: camping.
Going to a festival, wherever it may be, unless it's held in your city of residence, involves logistical considerations (such as how to get there, where to stay, and how to return, what to bring) and, most importantly, where to spend the night.
Regarding overnight accommodation: in addition to hotels, guesthouses, apartments or simply rented rooms, camping is available at the vast majority of festivals.
Keep in mind, first and foremost, that camping is a matter of necessity and, above all, practicality.
Many festival venues are difficult to access, and therefore, for those who rely on public transport, using taxis or renting a car becomes expensive. Furthermore, the need for long, repetitive journeys, especially for festivals lasting 3 to 4 days, makes them not only costly but also excessively long, tedious, and tedious, given that hotels are often located in cities at a considerable distance. This, combined with numerous journeys, makes the time wasted and the cost of the itinerary impractical.
Despite the cultural differences inherent in each country, from Spain to Finland, and from England to Slovenia, the structure of the campsite, the behavior of its guests, rules, and facilities are very similar.
It is common for most of them to be located adjacent to the festival area, which does not present major problems for going to and from, except in exceptional cases.
Many organizers already include the camping fee in the ticket price, regardless of whether you will use it or not. In some cases, you will still have to buy a separate ticket if you want to camp. It is always necessary to carefully read the FAQ sections of each festival on their official websites in order to avoid misunderstandings and also to try to gather as much information as possible to ensure the most pleasant stay possible, not only for campers but also for attendees in general.
In the case of separate camping, don't worry, the cost isn't as exorbitant as I've noticed in Brazil. When there's a separate fee for this purpose, it usually doesn't exceed 20 euros.
There are cases where a cleaning fee is charged, a kind of deposit where you receive a plastic bag and, upon returning it full at the end of the event, you receive your money back in full or in part. It varies from festival to festival, but regardless of their requirements, don't be a pig and consciously take care of your occupied space and don't litter around your "home." Waste should always be disposed of properly, regardless of whether or not cleaning is required and the cost of depositing it; nature is not to blame for this. And by acting consciously, the rules will be maintained next year, and there should be no additional fees if there is good overall behavior, if it's free, or even if there is, it shouldn't be increased.
Speaking of rules, there are behaviors to be respected, which, according to security, can result in removal from the camping area and, depending on the severity of the offense, could even lead to legal action in the country where the event is being held.
There are cases where there are searches to check what you are bringing, and it goes without saying that weapons, drugs, and illegal items are strictly prohibited and banned.
As I mentioned before, it's always worth reading the ABCs of each festival to be aware of what you can and cannot bring, not only to the festival area but also to the camping area. Sometimes, for example, glass bottles are not allowed in certain campsites, and it's advisable and common sense to obey these rules. Loud music is allowed until a certain time. Okay, it's a party, but your neighbor might want to rest at a certain time in the early morning, and you won't be the nuisance disturbing them and ruining the minimum amount of sleep they also deserve.
Keep in mind that in some cases, there may be limitations on the camping area. This is common practice at events where tickets are purchased separately. Also, remember that even if you buy a ticket that includes camping, it is only accepted upon presentation of your festival ticket, as access is prohibited for non-festival attendees, which makes perfect sense.
The infrastructure, regardless of the country, is essentially the same. There will certainly be portable toilets, showers (the latter either paid for separately or included, depending on the festival), parking, security controlling access, and there may or may not even be a temporary supermarket and someone selling makeshift breakfast, but this is not a rule; only the sanitary infrastructure is provided for in all festivals.
Some campsites designate specific areas for setting up tents, but regardless of whether it's a paid campsite or not, most don't include this measure.
The use of fire, especially for barbecues, which is not uncommon, also varies from festival to festival. Many campers set up large tents with chairs, trailers, and all sorts of barbecue paraphernalia and equipment, grills, etc., coolers for beer, and have real parties at the campsite; however, be aware of the issue of authorization for the use of fire or heat sources on these sites.
Regarding safety, theft isn't that common, although it does happen, that's a fact. Common sense prevails; only take and leave strictly necessary items in your tent, such as a sleeping bag, inflatable pillow, water and food, and personal hygiene items. Carry clothes and, in this case, CDs, etc., in your backpack. If you have a padlock, lock it; it will provide more security and deter thieves. It's not a guarantee of safety, but it helps.
Weather considerations: choose a tent that is waterproof, so it can withstand heavy rain and stay dry and durable – this is vitally important for campers.
Always take only what is strictly necessary. You don't want to carry unnecessary weight.
When bringing food, always choose dry options that won't melt in the heat.
Regardless of the country, even the northernmost ones, it's worth noting that due to the heat, you will almost certainly be forced out of your tent, no matter how good its ventilation system is. As a general rule, don't expect to stay there after 8:30 am.
Regardless of the area and noise levels in the early hours, choose to relax once you've seen all the shows you wanted and had your meals and necessary hygiene routines. Your body will thank you, even with the unwanted noise from your neighbors who seem to never sleep.
As a general rule and based on personal experience, the first day of camping is always the worst in terms of noise at night. Over time, the burden of inconveniences diminishes, and subsequent nights become more pleasant.
Choose to pitch your tent in the best possible position. If you don't bring a GPS, believe me, depending on the size of the festival, it's very useful, as well as being proof in case of unforeseen circumstances or damage. Choose a point that is easy to find your tent again and take a picture of the surroundings, the nearby tents, including yours if it's near an entrance or exit, and the numbering, if there are sectors or lots. Don't get carried away with setting it up and run off without properly marking the reference point, which is ineffective. To draw a parallel, I once had the misfortune of searching for my car in every parking lot at a festival because the person didn't even bother to mark where they parked it, much less the sector within the parking lot, and it was a nightmare to find it again.
And speaking of cars, if you choose to rent one and also camp, check if parking is allowed at the festival (if not, there are nearby parking areas, but it takes time to reach the campsite and consequently the festival), if it's integrated with the campsite (some allow you to park and pitch your tent right next to it), and finally if it's paid separately or included in the festival ticket, as we mentioned for the campsite itself.
Finally, depending on public transport, pay attention to accessibility. Usually, organizers provide shuttles (mostly paid) to take attendees from an easily accessible point to the festival, but unfortunately, I've observed that the return trip can be complicated in many cases, making a taxi a real necessity, which can be expensive. In discussion forums on festival websites, you can often find answers to these questions, especially if they aren't addressed in the festival's general information.
Finally, whether camping or not, and even if it's summer (in Sweden, Norway, and Finland the weather conditions will certainly not be the same as in Portugal, Spain, and Italy), research the appropriate clothing properly. It's worth emphasizing that a lightweight cold-weather jacket and another windproof and rainproof jacket, both thin and which together can mitigate a strong and unexpected cold, are the minimum changes of clothes that take up the least space and are also the basic kit for any festival, regardless of the country, as well as sunscreen, sunglasses, a hat, and pants that can be removed to turn into shorts, preferably made of nylon or quick-drying material. Bring plastic bags to protect your wallet, camera, and cell phone, and only copies of your passport or ID card, nothing more.
And have great festivals! Soon we'll have a roundup of the main ones happening in 2013 so you can plan well in advance.
Until then.
*This text was written by a Wikimate and does not necessarily represent the opinions of the site's authors.
Click here to see other texts by WikiBrother Gilberto Morais.
