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Hi Amrua, sounds like you guys have a wonderful adventure instore, what a lucky family! My family spent 3 weeks in France (Sept/Oct 2011) initially as part of a school language excursion & later just us. We all fell in love with the beautful town of Annecy.
This town sits on the hillside overlooking the most spectacular lake with the Alps rising up in the background. Just beautiful!
We all had a fabulous time on the pedal boats & there were plenty of people swimming in the crystal clear glacial waters of the lake.
There were also some beautiful little timber boats & some more modern speed boats.The foreshore area had a beautiful park for picnicing, throwing a ball around or just laying in the sun soaking up the fresh air.My husband & I also enjoyed a run along the lakes edge early one morning. There were also some recreational fisherman so if you enjoy fishing you can do that here as well. I believe that there is plenty of skiing in winter as well.
I am not sure about the camping facilities (we stayed in a guesthouse) but I am sure there would be a campsite somewhere close by.
I wish you & your family all the very best for a wonderful adventure & safe travels. Perhaps you could let everyone know how your travels progress.
Happy & safe travelling, Willow.

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Thanks willowann. Annecy, sounds like a place we'd like. I'll definilty look into it.

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Wow, with such a long time you will be spoiled for choice.

With your interest taken into account, here a few of our favourite places:

Norway: Lofoten islands, Hardangervidda, Jotunheimen.
Bulgaria: Rila & Pirin national parks, Melnik
Croatia: Dubrovnik, Hvar
Italy: Cinque terre, Sicily
Slovenia: Small country which contains everything
Alps: Take your pick

If you are willing to go the extra mile:
Turkey: Capadocia
Morocco: Chefchaouen, Tafraoute, Essauoira

I must have missed a dozen more. Enjoy your planning and your trip.

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arjiannyncke, thanks for your ideas. Slovenia and Croatia we are familiar with and we'll certainly go again. However, Bulgaria and the Alps are new and on our aghenda. Morocco has recently come to mind. It's totally new to us. We are looking at spending a few of our winter months there. Have you been to any camp sites? I'll look inot the places you suggested above.

We are hoping to spend shoulder season in areas that would normally be very busy/expensive in high season, and going east or off the beaten track for high season. Hopefully this will keep costs down.

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We have been on many camping sites in Morocco, however this is six years ago, hardly still relevant. The coast is campervan territory (mainly french 'overwinterers'), the more inland you go the less of them you meet. Our two favourite places were Tafraoute (though still many campers here) and Merzouga (think Sahara-sanddunes but with an asphalt road to get you there). Both are very suitable for kids (brought our 4 year old and 19 month old there only last week).

Don't forget scandinavia on you travel-itinerary, especially the areas above the polar-circle and many of the Islands are magical in summer with 24 hours daylight.

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What a wonderful opportunity, you will all love it! We've been on an open ended family world tour for the last 6 years ( 44 countries on 5 continents on $23/day so far) and spent the first four years in Europe ( and continue to return) so have a TON of info on our blog that will be useful to you.

http://www.soultravelers3.com/

We use an RV and list all the campgrounds we have been to...usually with a mini review...just look up by place as I haven't had time to sort them all yet.

We loved Morocco and Turkey..but didn't camp there...next time we will as we saw lots of campers and many do winter there with motorhomes or caravans.

http://www.soultravelers3.com/2008/12/sahara-dream.html

We spent a month camping in Santorini...an amazing place as long as you skip July and August. http://www.soultravelers3.com/2012/04/greek-islands-with-kids-santorini-first.html#more

There are endless wonderful places to camp and visit in Europe ( Provence, Tuscany, Norway, Montenegro, Alsace, Cinque Terra, Galicia, Denmark, Barcelona, Sweden, Pompeii, Verona, Venice, romantic road in Germany, Delphi, Portugal, Hallstatt Austria, Prague, Krakow, Croatia ) to name just a few fave places. That is why we continue to return to places we love and keep exploring new European gems.

Best tip? Follow the weather and go slow!