Message Forums

I cannot help you regarding Italy but don't dismiss the UK altogether.

Due to sessions in hospital, we only managed 2 caravan trips this summer, one of 10 nights on the north west Scottish Coast in July and 26 nights in Skye and the Western Isles in August.

During both, we had just 2 days of drizzly rain that did not warrant the raincoats coming out of the drawer.
Apart from those nights where we were dressed for dinner out, we wore t-shirts, shorts and sandals for the entire summer.

Camping, as a holiday, does lend itself to waiting to see where the weather is best and then just going there.
So unless you have particular needs or wants, it is possible to still get the nice carefree summer holidays and still return with a suntan.

Our last morning. The beach on the island of Barra.

RivaDan, I accept what you're saying but we're a few years off retirement and with school age children generally have to book well in advance for the school holiday periods.

We went to France this year, had good weather and really enjoyed our holiday.

However I can honestly say that we also enjoy camping in the UK to.  We like to be able to visit different areas of our own country.  The weather isn't always bad either.   

I don't like the cold and damp but our only really bad weather experience was last July in Devon.  We set off down the M5 early on the Saturday morning not realising Gloucester was under-water and the M5 closed.  It took us 10 hours to get from Cheshire to mid Devon.  It rained most of the week and we could feel the mud squelching under the tent.  Our fancy new poly-cotton tent got covered in mud.  We packed up the wet tent at the end of the week.  When we got home we had to pitch it again to clean all the mud off and dry it out.

When we thought about it, despite the weather we actually still enjoyed our holiday but it was all the difficulties of the time taken to pitch the tent, mud and cleaning and drying the tent that casued us problems. 

We sold the tent and bought a Dandy Designer.  For us the Dandy has been a really good choice.

I understand what you are saying regarding us retired yins having all the time in the world to go camping etc etc, however, in reality, retirement is not like that, as you will find out yourself one day.
Our holidays this year were squeezed in between hospital commitments and although we knew where we wanted to go, we did not know dates until the last minute.

When we tried to book campsites at the last minute and despite it being the height of the season, we were surprised to be told that they did not accept bookings.
Only one campsite out of 7 wanted a £20 deposit and only then would take a booking. All the rest was a case of turn up and if there is room, you can have a pitch.

So, even in high season, unless you want a particular campsite in a particular area, there really is nothing to stop you deciding at the last minute, where you fancy trying to camp.
Where does the weather look good and settled, take a list of campsites for that area and go for it.

Bring a little adventure and freedom back into your camping.

Quote: Originally posted by Travel Bug on 19/9/2008

---

Not stayed in the Folding camper but did got to Italy on a coach holidays in my 20`s. The campsite was near to Venice, we could catch a bus to Lido de Jesslo or into Venice. I remember the site being fantastic, there were shops, bars and a swimming pool, alot nicer than the ones then in the uk. Only thing though is the beach and sea had lots of algee.

---

We did the Lido de Jesolo 2 years ago by coach.

We were in a hotel but we looked at the campsite for future holidays. As you say, it had everything.
The town was good too for shopping and the beaches were clear, no Algee.

Indeed there are now Web Cams for these beaches at
http://www.swisswebcams.ch/english/popup_zoom.php?wid=1144065404
and
http://www.janeirohotel.com/en/webcams.htm

Quote: Originally posted by LobeyDosser on 19/9/2008

---

I understand what you are saying regarding us retired yins having all the time in the world to go camping etc etc, however, in reality, retirement is not like that, as you will find out yourself one day.
Our holidays this year were squeezed in between hospital commitments and although we knew where we wanted to go, we did not know dates until the last minute.

---

I apologise as I didn't mean to imply that retired people's time is less valuable than anyone elses.  I take your point that it's not always necessary to book.  We have usually booked in advance but like you have found many sites don't want a deposit.  They usually just ask us to let them know if we aren't coming.

Still the original poster wanted to know about Italy.  We've never driven that far but a few years ago had a holiday in the Lake Garda area.  If I was to go camping in Italy I would like to head back there as it's a lovely area.

Steve

>>>  I apologise as I didn't mean to imply that retired people's time is less valuable than anyone elses.  <<<

Hi Steve, no apology necessary. I wasn't pulling you up about that or anything else!

We passed Lake Garda on our way home and it looked beautiful. Indeed there were many area that we passed through on that coach and they all looked like they could have made potentially nice places to return with the caravan.

Quote: Originally posted by Rivadan on 18/9/2008

---

British camping holidays are best suited to the retired in my opinion. You need to be able to watch the weather forecast then just go, returning when conditions change.  Its hopeless trying to pre-book a fortnight under canvas unless you truly enjoy being cold and damp (and I think those who say they do are kidding themselves).

---

Quote: Originally posted by Travel Bug on 17/9/2008

---

We too are fed up only managed 6 weekends away and it look like thats all were getting.Normally been away 10 -15. We too are starting to look at caravans as winters seem to be dryer than summers.

---

Quote: Originally posted by Steve McV on 17/9/2008

---

We have had scorching holidays in Brittany, but got very wet this your in the Loire Whit week.  Got wet in Toulouse last year too, wet in Spain also, BUT it is WARM when wet over there!

---

Quote: Originally posted by LobeyDosser on 19/9/2008

---

I understand what you are saying regarding us retired yins having all the time in the world to go camping etc etc, however, in reality, retirement is not like that, as you will find out yourself one day.
Our holidays this year were squeezed in between hospital commitments and although we knew where we wanted to go, we did not know dates until the last minute.

When we tried to book campsites at the last minute and despite it being the height of the season, we were surprised to be told that they did not accept bookings.
Only one campsite out of 7 wanted a £20 deposit and only then would take a booking. All the rest was a case of turn up and if there is room, you can have a pitch.

So, even in high season, unless you want a particular campsite in a particular area, there really is nothing to stop you deciding at the last minute, where you fancy trying to camp.
Where does the weather look good and settled, take a list of campsites for that area and go for it.

Bring a little adventure and freedom back into your camping.

---

Quote: Originally posted by superscout on 21/9/2008

---

well we decided we are going back to France next year for 2 weeks and maybe England for weekends if we are lucky

---