When it comes to holidays many have firm view of camping. You are either in the love it or hate it camp - and often will stick to your guns on whether to give it a go or not.

But with the cost of living being so high holidays are often a luxury which is making more people think about packing up with a tent and heading off for a well-earned break. Camping trips are a popular holiday activity both at home and across other European countries and with summer approaching, many Brits will have already started planning their getaways.

But to make the most of it there are some key mistakes you don't want to make so it is essential to be prepared. To help get it right, travel insurance experts at PayingTooMuch have teamed up with two camping pros, Sara Young and Dan Yates, to put together an essential guide for those planning a camping trip this year.

The 7 must-know tips for first-time campers

1. Plan and prepare: Before your trip, research your destination and check important details like the weather conditions, terrain, local wildlife, and any regulations or permits you might need. Make a checklist of essential items you need to take, such as a tent, sleeping bags and cooking equipment.

2.Test your equipment before you leave: Before your trip, you should practice pitching your tent. This way, you'll not only save time, but you'll also discover any damaged or missing items in your equipment.

Sara Young, of Big Adventures with Little Feet, says: “There’s nothing worse than going to pop your tent up and finding that you somehow are missing the pegs. Practise pitching your tent well before you depart to avoid any unanticipated problems.”

3. Pack strategically: When packing for your trip, you’ll want to ensure you are bringing suitable clothing for the weather and remembering to pack all essential items. Sara adds: “Don’t forget to also pack spare items with you. You might not be able to easily find replacements for things when you’re out camping, so it’s a good idea to bring extras of essential items like a phone charger”.

4. Choose where you set up camp wisely: Pitch your tent on a fairly level patch, and remove all rocks and sticks beforehand. If possible, avoid pitching near a hill, a tree, a powerline or hedges.

Campers should also check laws on wild camping. Many skilled campers enjoy pitching a camp in a natural setting away from designated sites but this can be banned or restricted in some countries like England.

5. Try not to rely on a campfire for your meals: Campfires are the highlight of any camping trip, especially for beginners. However, they shouldn’t be relied upon for every meal.

Building them can take a long time, and unexpected rain and wind can ruin them. For cooking, it's best to bring a stove, and then when you're in the mood for roasting marshmallows, you can build one.

6. Don’t be afraid to use your phone: While camping is a good way to escape technology, it can be a real help if used sparingly and for good reason. Dan Yates, of Pitchup, said: “Don’t be afraid to use your smartphone’s capability. It can make outdoor exploration much safer.

"Google Pixel phones have a pre-installed personal safety app and iPhones have ‘Emergency SOS’, which you should add your emergency contact details and medical information to. Google’s personal safety app also notifies you about natural disasters and public emergencies near you.”

7. Carry copies of important documents: As with any trip, don’t forget to take out travel insurance for your holiday. This includes cover for any vehicles as well.

Sara adds: “Don’t forget to keep a digital backup of any insurance documents. You’ll never know when you might need it. Keep copies of all of your important documents on your phone such as car insurance, breakdown cover, passports, and V5, so that you have them in case you can’t get to the paper versions.”