Any Italian ideas ?

JudenSteve
JudenSteve Forum Participant Posts: 169
edited February 2016 in Overseas Campsites & Touring #1

We are looking at Italy for this years trip probably the first 3 weeks of July anybody have any ideas for us please ? It's just the 2 of us now so somewhere a bit grown up would be nice but somewhere around the lakes or no further south than a line between Genoa to Venice.

Thanks.

Comments

  • hitchglitch
    hitchglitch Forum Participant Posts: 3,007
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    edited February 2016 #2

    Lake Maggiore is stunning and less popular for children than Garda so more appealing to couples. Check out sites in Cannobio which is not far from Locarno and very accessible. Lots to do around the lake and surrounding mountains.

  • eurortraveller
    eurortraveller Club Member Posts: 6,831 ✭✭✭
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    edited February 2016 #3

    Hitchglitch always gives good advice on the lakes.

    I myself would like to go back to Verona and Venice, and if I were young again I would be walking, riding the cable cars, and looking for Alpine flowers in the Dolomites. 

  • Metheven
    Metheven Club Member Posts: 3,987 ✭✭✭
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    edited February 2016 #4

    Any ideas if approaching from the south!

  • Unknown
    Unknown Forum Participant
    edited February 2016 #5
    The user and all related content has been Deleted User
  • hitchglitch
    hitchglitch Forum Participant Posts: 3,007
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    edited February 2016 #6

    Hitchglitch always gives good advice on the lakes.

    I myself would like to go back to Verona and Venice, and if I were young again I would be walking, riding the cable cars, and looking for Alpine flowers in the Dolomites. 

    I would go to Verona any time. Love it, especially the operas in the Roman amphitheatre. As for Venice, I don't think there is any limit to the number of times I could go there - three times so far and counting!

    For that reason Garda will forever stay in our memories, not just for the lake but for the cities.

    If you want to stay North of Genoa then it is the lakes and there are a number of ways to get there. Whilst we always go through Switzerland for Maggiore we often come back over the Simplon pass and into France. In three weeks you could do a round trip -
    through Austria to Gada then Maggiore and back via Locarno or via Verbania to the Simplon pass. Depends how much driving you want to do!

  • DavidKlyne
    DavidKlyne Club Member Posts: 13,873 ✭✭✭
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    edited February 2016 #7

    There are some lakes near Trento which are not as busy as the lakes a bit further south. Lake Caldonazzo and its smaller neighbour Lake Levecio have numerous campsites near to the edge of the lakes. You could also think about Venice and if you stay at Punta
    Sabbionni you can get the ferry right into San Marco.

    David

     

  • meecee
    meecee Forum Participant Posts: 304
    edited February 2016 #8

    Lake Maggiore is stunning and less popular for children than Garda so more appealing to couples. Check out sites in Cannobio which is not far from Locarno and very accessible. Lots to do around the lake and surrounding mountains.

    Love Maggiore!..  also Venice, always crowded but worth it, wandering round the back streets, getting lost, is memorable..

  • BlueVanMan
    BlueVanMan Forum Participant Posts: 382
    100 Comments
    edited February 2016 #9

    if time were not an issue we would head for the south Puglia etc however that is probablt too far in the time available. Tuscany has much to offer but its not called Chiantishire for nothing ! Depends what you like, towns cities, or getting away from it
    all and connecting with the less touristy places ? If the latter then consider Umbria. We have stayed on several occasions at a Camping Il Falcone in a small town called Ciitella de Lago. An amazingly unspoiled village we discovered in 2009 and great to chill
    out for a few days. 

  • commeyras
    commeyras Club Member Posts: 1,853 ✭✭✭
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    edited February 2016 #10

    BlueVanMan.  Camping Il Falcone looks really nice.  The web site is a little vague about whether or not you can park your car on your pitch.  Some pics indicate you can.  Can you help on this - I tow a caravan.

  • BlueVanMan
    BlueVanMan Forum Participant Posts: 382
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    edited February 2016 #11

    I have never been a caravanner so won't presume to comment on what is possible. The entrance to the pitches is quite steep but the owner Carlo is very accomodating and will do his best to help. You may be able to park on some pitches (especially if earlier
    in the year when the site is not full). The owner Carlo speaks good Englsh and manages the site himself. I suggest you e-mail him. 

  • commeyras
    commeyras Club Member Posts: 1,853 ✭✭✭
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    edited February 2016 #12

    Thanks

  • JudenSteve
    JudenSteve Forum Participant Posts: 169
    edited February 2016 #13

    Thanks for all the help so far keep it coming, we have been to Lake Maggiore about 10 yrs ago and agree it is lovely but actually stayed next to Lake Mergozzo (spelling !), i don't want to stay at more than 2 sites as it's the packing and unpacking that
    consumes the time, I'm drawn to Tuscany but then there's so much other choice my head is hurting.

  • commeyras
    commeyras Club Member Posts: 1,853 ✭✭✭
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    edited February 2016 #14

    Look at Pogibonsi site (Anotherdavis's suggested area). Good for main atttractions and some great resteraunts - we'll be there in June! - can't miss us, OH is a petite Scottish lass!!!

  • Rush
    Rush Forum Participant Posts: 15
    edited February 2016 #15

    I don't know if the mountains are something you are also looking for. If so, and if you wish to travel to the North-East of Italy, one of the premiere mountain camp sites in Europe is Caravan Park Sexten, close to the Austrian border. The environment is
    superb and the campsite is unforgettable. From  there you could head a bit further South and in about 180 kms you'd be in Venice.

  • JudenSteve
    JudenSteve Forum Participant Posts: 169
    edited February 2016 #16

    I don't know if the mountains are something you are also looking for. If so, and if you wish to travel to the North-East of Italy, one of the premiere mountain camp sites in Europe is Caravan Park Sexten, close to the Austrian border. The environment is
    superb and the campsite is unforgettable. From  there you could head a bit further South and in about 180 kms you'd be in Venice.

    Write your comments here...Yeah that is one that has caught our eye.

  • hitchglitch
    hitchglitch Forum Participant Posts: 3,007
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    edited February 2016 #17

    We love Italy and the Italians but I have to say that there are more scams than any other European country that we have visited. The last one we experienced on the Autostrada was that the advertised fuel price was cash only.  It just so happened that the
    'cash' pump was out of order. We saw this more than once. A few years ago I was debited the wrong amount on my credit card but was on my way down the motorway before realising. I have also been told that my windsceen wipers/tyres etc. were faulty when they
    weren't. They try quite hard!

    Just be aware.

  • BlueVanMan
    BlueVanMan Forum Participant Posts: 382
    100 Comments
    edited February 2016 #18

     

    We love Italy and the Italians but I have to say that there are more scams than any other European country that we have visited. The last one we experienced on the Autostrada was that the advertised fuel price was cash only.  It just so happened that the 'cash' pump was out of order. We saw this more than once. A few years ago I was debited the wrong amount on my credit card but was on my way down the motorway before realising. I have also been told that my windsceen wipers/tyres etc. were faulty when they weren't. They try quite hard!

    Just be aware.

    Write your comments here...Yes Italian Filling Stations can be bizarre. Usually a price for self service and a (much) higher price for attendant service. Get into the wrong lane and the attendant will be at your filler cap in a flash. Sometimes the credit card reader is on a console away from the pump. You have to put your card in select your pump number and grade of fuel return to pump fuel up finally returning to console to get a receipt. Just like anywhere else you have to be awake but its all part of the fun.

  • JudenSteve
    JudenSteve Forum Participant Posts: 169
    edited February 2016 #19

    I don't know if the mountains are something you are also looking for. If so, and if you wish to travel to the North-East of Italy, one of the premiere mountain camp sites in Europe is Caravan Park Sexten, close to the Austrian border. The environment is
    superb and the campsite is unforgettable. From  there you could head a bit further South and in about 180 kms you'd be in Venice.

    Write your comments here...Yeah that is one that has caught our eye.

    I don't know if the mountains are something you are also looking for. If so, and if you wish to travel to the North-East of Italy, one of the premiere mountain camp sites in Europe is Caravan Park Sexten, close to the Austrian border. The environment is
    superb and the campsite is unforgettable. From  there you could head a bit further South and in about 180 kms you'd be in Venice.

    Write your comments here...Yeah that is one that has caught our eye.

    Just looked at Sexton and although it looks very nice indeed it does seem a bit cut off, the wife is teetotal but still nice to wander out the site for food etc and leave the car back at base camp.

  • JudenSteve
    JudenSteve Forum Participant Posts: 169
    edited February 2016 #20

    Anybody been to La Riva, if so any good ?

  • DavidKlyne
    DavidKlyne Club Member Posts: 13,873 ✭✭✭
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    edited February 2016 #21

    Anybody been to La Riva, if so any good ?

    If that is La Riva at Sorico yes we have been. Very nice campsite on the river that feeds into Lake Como. Some pictures
    here

    David

  • JudenSteve
    JudenSteve Forum Participant Posts: 169
    edited February 2016 #22

    Thanks for that David.

     

  • Tigi
    Tigi Forum Participant Posts: 1,038
    500 Comments
    edited February 2016 #23

    Camping Europa at Bardolino, Lake Garda is a good spot, a short walk along the lakeside and you are in a very attractive and busy lakeside village/town. Like a lot of Italian Sites the pitches are not overly generous and access roads on the tight side but
    perfectly manageable provided your outfit is not on a grand scale.

  • cyberyacht
    cyberyacht Forum Participant Posts: 10,218
    1000 Comments
    edited February 2016 #24

    Bardolino is nice and central, enabling you to walk to Garda one way and Lasize and Peschiera the other along the shore. Malcesine and the cable car up Monte Baldo is  a pleasant bus ride.

  • DianneT
    DianneT Forum Participant Posts: 521
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    edited February 2016 #25

    Tuscany is my favourite and visiting the hilltop towns is a wonderful experience.  Sienna, San Gimignano, Penza, Cortona and if visiting the lovely Lago Trasemeno visit to Assisi is a must.

    Go here for more info.

     

    DianneT

  • commeyras
    commeyras Club Member Posts: 1,853 ✭✭✭
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    edited February 2016 #26

    Camping Fontemaggio is a nice site about 1k from old Assisi - an easy walk in, uphill back - It's in the CC Book.  In July would recommend booking ahead.  Has an excellent Restaurant and lovely views.  In Assisi itself there are some good restaurants just off the main square at quite reasonable prices.

  • flatcoat
    flatcoat Forum Participant Posts: 1,571
    1000 Comments
    edited February 2016 #27

    Sud Tyrol mountains, stunning! We had a great trip and holiday at Camping Seiser Alm with the 'van 2 summers ago, only a couple of hours from Garda too. 

  • reynoray
    reynoray Forum Participant Posts: 106
    edited February 2016 #28

    If you did venture a little further and into Liguria / Tuscany I would do one stop near to Santa Margherita for Portifino, Camogli and the Cinque Terre (If you are unfamiliar then look them up - brilliant).  I'd then stop near Lucca (our favourite spot in Tuscany) and take in Barga, Montecatini Terme with options on Pisa and Florence (by train).  The second week of July this year sees Tom Jones, Van Morrison, Lionel Richie and Neil Young in open air concert in Lucca.  We've seen Santana, Robbie Williams and Matk Knopfler there in the past - different but it helps to keep us young Laughing Not done it with the caravan but have seen a site ten minutes from Lucca that looked fine.

  • JudenSteve
    JudenSteve Forum Participant Posts: 169
    edited March 2016 #29

    Thanks for everyones input we have decided on Lake Como so just need a site now, La Riva looks good but we will spend a few days looking as we only want somewhere quite with a pool hopefully would be a bonus, also now we are going for about 17 days from
    mid June.

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