ONE of the most beautiful campsites in Europe offers beachside tent pitches, in view of crystal clear waters where loggerhead turtles are found swimming. When Brits think of camping holidays, images of soggy tents in sad holiday camps often spring to mind. But there are much more exciting options available out there, if you know where to look.

One such place is the Tartaruga campsite on the island of Zakynthos in Greece. The site is found on the Bay of Laganas, hidden among a load of olive trees overlooking the beach. It has its own taverna, along with a small pebble beach and promises a peaceful stay for guests, claiming that camping neighbours are always well spread out from one another.

Its website reads: "If you are out for quietness, for having the cicadas sing your lullaby, enjoying delicious Greek cuisine or just relaxing your body and mind between pristine olive trees, you are just right in this little paradise." The beach is the perfect place to hang out during the day, with two jetties and a floating platform with a ladders into the sea, the perfect place to cool off in the Greek island heat. The water also has small buoys for visitors to tie up small boats, of for people transporting guests to the tiny island of Marathonissi.

The campsite boasts of being able to see the island from its taverna's terrace, labelling it as "an eye-catcher" while the food served on site is advertised as being "magnificent low-price" fare. Anyone interested in heading to Marathonissi ca.