For the past month, Stephanie and I have been travelling by bicycle through the Netherlands. Our journey began in Amsterdam. We rode west to the coast and followed it north through the dunes, stopped in Alkmaar, and continued north to Den Helder and Texel island.

We brought a tent because we knew it would be less expensive and offer more flexibility than a hotel or hostel, and provide the option -- if it came to it -- that we could pitch a tent in an empty field. As it happens, we've been very pleased by our experiences with camping in the Netherlands. These are our impressions from 16 days of camping at 7 different sites:

-- There are campgrounds within a day's ride nearly everywhere, and there is always room for a tent. One camp supervisor told us that he thought it was foolish when some bikers with a tent turned away because of a full sign.

-- There are usually signs to campgrounds from main roads and bike routes. You can also purchase a travel atlas from the VVV (tourist information) or from ANWB (Netherlands travel service).

-- It is illegal to camp on public grounds (city or national parks). Many people have suggested that we ask at a farm house if we could camp on the land. We have yet to try this.

-- Often the reception at campsites close at 5 or 7 pm, but if you arrive later, you usually can call a night guard to get checked in. They might show you where to set up and ask you to register and pay in the morning.

-- The character of campgrounds varies: Some sites are plots of farm land subdivided into areas for a group of tents by tall shrubs. Some are situated in picturesque national parks, with individual tent sites created by the small hills of dunes.

-- The majority of most campgrounds seems to be dedicated to seasonal spaces for campers/RVs/mobile homes. This is one of the greatest differences between camping in the United States and in the Netherlands (perhaps through Europe generally). This means that most campgrounds will not have much of a rustic experience, and that you can count on more facilities being available without leaving the campgrounds.

-- Camping can provide more privacy than a dorm-style hostel room: you have your own space at least in your tent. Generally people keep to their own area and are conscientious of disturbing yours.

-- Campground restroom facilities often lack toilet paper and sometimes require a small payment (50 cents) for the showers.

-- Campgrounds often have a small shop (in Dutch, winkel) where you can buy basic groceries and supplies, and often get fresh bread and coffee in the morning.

-- Some campgrounds have wireless internet, but many tent sites do not have power. The most reliable place for public power sources are in the restrooms or laundry.

We have found these to be average prices per night for accomodation in the Netherlands (in Euros):

-- Couch surfing: 0
-- Camping (two people with a tent): 10-20
-- Hostel (dorm-style, per person): 18-28
-- Hotel (private room): 60-100