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I'm Italian and wouldn't recommend any Venice campsites, although I am crazy about Venice, (but not the Venice that tourists get to.)  The mozzies can be horrendous on the campsites. If you're one of those people that provide mozzie food, just don't go.  I gather some campsites are spraying for the mozzies, but organised theft can also be a big problem. The true Venetians are long since gone, the tacky merchants have taken over, scams are the norm. Murano glass is sadly now largely imported tat for tourists. Head for the Dolomites and take the train into Venezia..  Best of both very different worlds.

If camping on Lago di Garda, choose campsites at one of either end of lake, close to main roads. You can get stuck in traffic jams of two hours plus otherwise. Use boats to get around the lakes. Slightly prefer the south end, one campsite though very large, was brilliant.  Had lakeside views and walks along the lake in the evening. Superb storm and mini tornado that wrote off our brand new car and van.  All very exciting. Very well stocked and numerous shops. Will try to look it up if anyone's interested.

It was Bella Italia campsite at Peschiera del Garda. Loved it here. Turn up early and pick your site.  Larger vans may find it hard to turn onto pitches, but plenty of volk will suddenly appear to heave your van into place. Lago di Garda is owned by Germans and populated by Germans and mad motorcyclists.  If you want English friends for your family, they are few and far between.

Alan Rogers offers Camping Fusina for Venice.  Our view was wonderful, right on the lagoon edge. Easy boat trip to Venice.  But it was awful in every other respect. Literally stepping out of the van, 30 mozzies landed on me within half a minute. Shabby, music noisy,run down, poorly organised, student backpack land. Avoid unless you're a noisy student backpacker in which case the amount of beer you can consume appears to be directly proportional to the amount of fun you can have..

I'm sorry but I disagree with Purplehat

Alan Rogers' Italy guide recommends a number of campsites on the Jesolo Peninsula.  Neither Cavillino or Union Lido were like the campsite described.  I am VERY susceptible to mozzie bites but with the help of a mozzie lamp, flyblinds and spray I was bitten much less than when I visit the north west of Scotland.  Regarding theft both Cavallino and Union Lido had strict security on the entrances who challenged anyone entering day or night.  We certainly had no problems with theft or heard of anyone else doing so. 

When visiting Union for the Church Service on both occasions we had to give in personal id documents before being issued with a visitor's pass.  We tried to sneak in walking the 2nd time as we were late but were quickly stopped by one of the half dozen staff roaming around the entrance.

Regarding the tackiness of Venice that is true but that does not detract from the beautiful buildings and settings.  Unfortunately that comes with the territory for all such tourist traps.

Whilst Italians and Germans were in the majority at Cavallino there were, also, a lot of English and Dutch campers too.

We choose Lake Como rather than Garda because of the warnings about business.  We found La Riva, see Alan Rogers, at Sondrico very quiet and peaceful with the combination of mountain and lakeside scenery without the crowds and traffic.

Despite our major car breakdown we hope to be back next year to travel further south and visit Rome and other destinations.

Best Wishes

Tim

Would so love to visit Como, everyone who has been recommends it. Sadly the family lives nearer Garda.  Know nothing about Monaco and environs at all. I always end up doing the three V's - Verona, Vicenza and Venezia. I think the tackiness does however detract, it's partly why the Venetians have left. A whole way of life has been lost for ever.  Those that have moved in to serve the tourist industry do so with a contempt that is unitentionally very very amusing. Wait for the cruise ships to dock and watch the Americans lecture Italian waiters on their awful service!  A real culture clash.

 The monuments remain, the treasures remain, everyone should go, but be aware as well.  The joy of Venice lies in a three day vaporetto pass, long meandering walks, with an occasional glimpse at the map whilst eating a pizza in a side street where the Italians go to eat. You'll even get fresh salad and todays bread.

I was however glad to hear that security had improved on the Lido.  It needed to. 

We think Venice is a wonderful place. Our last visit was for 8 days. We stayed at Camping Miramare which is only a short walk from the ferry and purchased the 7 day pass which was trendous value. It allowed us to nip over to Venice, the islands and particular favourite the Lido at will. If we got tired we just sat on the ferry and relaxed. Once you get out of St Marks Square Venice is surprisingly peaceful to wonder around. We were not particularly interested in a beach holiday but if we go back we might well try one of the sites with a beach.

David

Agree with David.  If you've got seven days, then that would be perfect.  Each day can be a mix of relaxing on site and then visiting Venice at different times each day for a shorter period. We also use the vaporettos for a sit down.  The trip down the Grand Canal is my favourite journey and one that I have never tired of.

They also smoke bomb the frees in the eve to kill as many mozies as possible, Cavalino is a good camping area large campsites but accomadate for all needs, I live about an hour and half from there and used cavalino earlier this year with the kids. I also am not a fan of that area as it does get very crowded, but the campsites are great, the one where we stayed the supermarket in there was alot cheaper than other shops in the same area, also if you like the lakes try Levico or Caldonazzo very nice camping fewer people than on Garda or Como.

FAO. Tim cary how was the trip? sorry to hear about the car though hope you had a good time and wern't put off by the weather this year. Next year is forecasted as a scorcher though.

Quote: Originally posted by Nero on 19/9/2006

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FAO. Tim cary how was the trip? sorry to hear about the car though hope you had a good time and wern't put off by the weather this year. Next year is forecasted as a scorcher though.

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FAO of Nero

Hi Nero

We had a great time in Italy thanks. 

We enjoyed La Riva with frequent trips in our 3 metre inflatable along the adjacent river.  We did go onto Lake Como but the wash from the big launches made it a bit scary.  The weather was generally hot and sunny although there were a few thunder storms with strong winds on some of the venings.  When we were taking down our awning a sudden squall blew it up onto the roof of caravan.  This unfortunately bent some of the poles and seems to have caused some of the 'van seams to open as the roof is now leaking.

Cavallino was sunny and hot for all the time that we were there, ie, 11-25 August.  We alternated between visiting Venice and enjoying the beach, sea and swimming pool.  We went to Venice on 3 seperate days and found it a magical and romantic place.  We enjoyed boating all over the lagoon and numerous trips along the Grand Canal using our Venice cards.  The "Beach on Fire" firework display on the beach on 20 August was spectacular.  Fireworks were launched from 13 firing points simulatneously - WOW!!  Weatherwise - There was a big thunder storm a few days before we left but mainly at night.

We did not get any further south than Cavallino but we hope to return next year and enjoy Italy further south.

Unfortunately the car breakdowns in Belgium were frustrating.IMA, Brittania Rescue's European agengts, us back on the road saying that the car was repaired only for the fault to re-appear 20 Kilometres further on was a real headache.  It has been said to be a problem with the automatic gearbox - something I suspected from the first.  The car and caravan are STILL NOT HOME but we have a provisional date for 29 August.  At least Brittania Rescue are funding a replacement hire car at the moment.

Thanks for asking Nero.

Best wishes Tim

ciao!  we have stayed at lakes Garda, Como, Iseo, and lots of other places in Italy.  Do your research well as some can be very crowded even in September.  Due to the weather and sites usually being shaded, there is often little in the way of grass! Depends what you like, but we're not keen on beach resorts- they tend to be worse than UK.  The smaller resorts in coves are better.  You will also find that you won't cover as much of the country as you think!  The motorway system is good, very interesting and scenic in parts but on A roads somewhat like here.

Don't let any of this put you off-ITS FANTASTIC!