Hi I have searched the subject and know many of you out there have been to Italy, we would like to go next August we have 3 weeks to do the trip in, two families with 4 teenagers between us.
1. We cant decide the best route any suggestions?
2. Campsites? Ideas please? we would really like a site where we can walk out to a local town or somewhere at night.
We are still in the planning stages so are open to all ideas.
We Went to Italy in 2008 and are hoping to go back next year. We can highly recommend the site Camping Campalonga in Bibione ( approx 40 miles from venice ).
The site is right on the beach, our son who was 14 then was doing the activities all day, everyday, he really enjoyed the karate and archery. The entertainment in the evening was brilliant. We stayed longer than we had booked for as we enjoyed it so much.
As far as the route is concerned it will depend on where abouts in Italy you are heading. If its Garda or Venice then using the Brenner Pass in Austria is a good bet. Going through Switzerland is another option but you will need vignettes for car and caravan. This does not automatically mean it will be more expensive as you will save on mileage.
We have only missed going to Italy annually in 2 of the past 20 years.
One site or more?
If you want plenty of entertainment for kids then most of the sites have that in peak season. The beach sites offer that and the opportunity for the adults to relax on the beach whilst the kids are at play.
Capalonga has plenty of that, as has Ca'savio which is nearer to Venice. There are many other campsites in that area, some of which you cannot book.
Further south are the likes of Grosseto on the Med and Rimini on the Adriatic with sites in between.
Be warned though that August is the main Italian holiday and the Italians love their beaches.
Inland there are the main cities, Florence, Rome, etc.
Lots to do and so little time to do it
I'd recommend Grosetto - one of the few seaside resorts where beaches are not packed soild (and expensive). Fantastic large nature reserve nearby (Maremma).
Can I hitchike this thread, may be of interest to Kaz. We have a dream to go to the southernmost part of Italy (Cantabria, Apulia &c); when we were working on this a couple of years back we gave up because of some problems going on there and also because we could find very little information in English (or French) about camps &c.. Hasnayone done this part ofr the world? Are there many campsites? Are they expensive? Are they noisy? Any pointers to where we can find out?
Bella Italia, Lake Garda is pretty good - we were there last year. Plenty to do, right on Lake Garda, pool complex, restaurants etc and just a short walk into Peschiera which has some nice bars and restaurants and a few shops. I'd advise being pretty specific about your pitch at time of booking as in location and size because this does vary.
We've also done Union Lido and Pra Delle Torri which are much larger but both brilliant campsites with so much going on onsite but there isn't a town or village within walking distance. In my opinion Pra Delle Torri is the better site with beach access and fabulous pool complex, we'll be returning there in 2012.
Don't forget to leave a review of the French and other European campsites you have visited!