Europe is a continent of campers. The good news: running through muddy fields in the middle of the night to find a spider web-draped toilet is a thing of the past in most parts.

For those Americans wishing to try camping in Europe — a great way to make those dollars stretch further — here some sites to check out.

1) With working farms located throughout Britain, one of Londoners? favorite camping companies is Feather Down Farms at www.featherdownfarms.co.uk. Feather Down offers five-star tents, complete with flush toilets, canopy beds, and cooking stoves. When: Easter to the end of October.

2) If you?re after a park encompassing some of France?s most amazing landscapes, try the Grands Causses Regional Park in Aveyron, France at www.valdecantobre.com. Set on the grounds of a medieval farmhouse, there?s plenty here for the children to do. When: May 6 through Sept. 10.

3) Also in France, a wooded campsite on the grounds of a 17th-century manor house in the Loire Valley. Le Chateau des Marais boasts a complex with four pools and water slides. Go to www.chateau-des-marais.com. When: May 13 through Sept. 15.

4) One of the most popular spots for campers in Germany is Camping Wulfener Hals, with pitches mainly at Burger Lake, right by the water. The site in northern Germany offers an array of activities including sailing, surfing, archery, and golf. Go to www.wulfenerhals.de. When: April through September.

5) Back in Britain, Broad Meadow House in Cornwall at www.broadmeadowhouse.com offers pre-pitched Coleman hi-tech dome tents (or you can bring your own tents by prior arrangement). The seaside meadow site is within easy reach of Charlestown?s two beaches and harbor, where there?s kayaking and other watersports on offer. When: Easter to October.

6) Open year-round is Great Langdale in Britain?s Lake District, close to Scafell Pike, England?s highest mountain, as well as some of Britain?s nicest hill-walking routes. The site offers 300 pitches plus a great pub — Old Dungeon Ghyll — only five minutes from the campsite. Go to www.ntlakescampsites.org.uk. When: All year.

For more information on camping in Europe, go to www.ukcampsite.co.uk, the largest and oldest online site for the camping community. Or check out www.alanrogers.com, where you can search over 10,000 campsites throughout Europe. There?s also www.campsitereviews.com with reviews of sites in both Europe and the United States.