Dogs and Lake Como

Sparkie63
Sparkie63 Forum Participant Posts: 12
edited January 2017 in Overseas Campsites & Touring #1

HI

I have been watching the post on tips for Lake Como (Martatin) with interest but don't want to hijack that thread :) we too are going to Lake Como and maggiore so have been picking up tips. This will be our first time towing abroad (though we have driven abroad). We are either diverting slightly for a 2 night stay in rudesheim am rhein, or as was helpfully suggested going through the Alsace and will stay 2 nights at camping de trois chateaux which looks wonderful. We are breaking the journey as we have a dog, and also thought it would be nice to explore on the way too. I have been driven several times around the southern end of the lake from cadenabbia to como on a coach (work as a tour manager) - the roads are tight as has been said, but passable in a 52 seater coach so most vans/motorhomes will be fine.

We are taking my dog and I just wonder if this area is dog friendly (as opposed to just dog tolerant) and if dogs are  allowed to swim in the lake? does anyone know if you can take them on the ferries etc? 

I'm not going to lie, we are a little nervous about towing in this area (mainly due to tightness of the roads and the fact that if you meet an obstruction coming the other way in a car or motorhome, you can reverse, but it isnt quite as easy towing a van :( (well not for novices anyway haha)

Comments

  • Sparkie63
    Sparkie63 Forum Participant Posts: 12
    edited January 2017 #2

    sorry .. not sure if this has been seen? was hoping for some feedback on how dog friendly Italy (Lake Como/maggiore) area is and if dogs are allowed in the lakes?

    thank you

     

  • eurortraveller
    eurortraveller Club Member Posts: 6,830 ✭✭✭
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    edited January 2017 #3

    I can't speak from experience, but have you read the website ItalyLakes.net? It mentions that dogs are allowed on a lead on less popular Lake Como beaches but says that Bau Bau beach at Varenna is the only beach where dogs can be go without a lead. It also talks about taking dogs on public transport but suggests it might be best to take a muzzle. It might have other information for you.

  • JimE
    JimE Club Member Posts: 353 ✭
    100 Comments Photogenic
    edited January 2017 #4

    Not Como admittedly, but we stayed at Camping Darna in Porlezza at the head of Lake Lugano last September and dogs were swimming in the lake without any restrictions.  We also stayed at Lake Maggiore at Camping Solcio and dogs were allowed on the beach there too.

    With regard to towing around the lakes, I can understand your apprehension as the roads are very narrow but the way I coped with my 8 metre MH was to just take my time, ignore any pressure from vehicles behind and make darned sure the road ahead was clear before entering a narrow stretch.

  • Unknown
    Unknown Forum Participant
    edited January 2017 #5
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  • JudenSteve
    JudenSteve Forum Participant Posts: 169
    edited January 2017 #6

    Can't really help you i'm afraid but we were at Lake Como last year and did see a few dogs frollicking in the water and this was in June. We did see a lot of Italians with dogs though so they must be a dog loving nation.

    As for towing around the lake yes it is tight in places but just take your time and don't let the locals pressure you into going faster.

  • JudenSteve
    JudenSteve Forum Participant Posts: 169
    edited January 2017 #7

    Can't really help you i'm afraid but we were at Lake Como last year and did see a few dogs frollicking in the water and this was in June. We did see a lot of Italians with dogs though so they must be a dog loving nation.

    As for towing around the lake yes it is tight in places but just take your time and don't let the locals pressure you into going faster.

  • Sparkie63
    Sparkie63 Forum Participant Posts: 12
    edited February 2017 #8

    Thank you all for your help (sorry for the later reply, have been so busy) but thank you for taking the time to post. Will check out the site suggested and the driving tips. Another David, in hindsight, we probably should have stayed in France or even the Rhine region but unfortunately, we are going with another couple and as I have been raving about the region, I have sort of promised to plan a trip and don't want to let them down. I did gently suggest several times that it was a lot of driving and maybe we shouldn't go quite so far .. but the answer was that all is fine and they don't mind so don't want to disappoint. Im sure all will be well if we take the advice given above, take our time and make sure we are clear to go :) 

     

  • Metheven
    Metheven Club Member Posts: 3,987 ✭✭✭
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    edited February 2017 #9

    We stayed at Campsite 'Conco d'oro' Lake Maggiore last year and the nearby lakeside beach had a roped off area 'Dog beach' expressly for the public and their pets where ours enjoyed a nice cooling down, so I would say they are dog friendly and probably other areas like this existed around the lake(s).

    The access to pitches in Italy varies and it's what prompted me to get a motormover fitted last week, I just did not have the room on the narrow 'road' between pitches to reverse the caravan. Luckily everyone nearby helped us push the van into place.

    I found the Italian roads were fine but signage confusing, and the drivers don't give a toss for anyone else but themselves.

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