10 days motorhome tour of Italy - Suggestions please
Discussion
Hi all,
Planning a short tour of northern Italy in a motorhome this June, looking for suggestions for stops/camp sites bearing in mind;
Pick up RV in Florence, so at least one night fairly local.
Travelling with a 3 year old and wife (so no real long distances, max 300KM in a day).
Been to Venice, Padua and quite a bit of the Adriatic coast so probably want to come up West coast instead
Would like to take in a Lake or two in Northern Italy
Possibily make it to Switzerland?
Drop off RV in Milan
Is this possible in 10 days?
Would ideally like campsites with good facilities for a little one to offset the boredom of the journey for her.
Thanks in Advance
Planning a short tour of northern Italy in a motorhome this June, looking for suggestions for stops/camp sites bearing in mind;
Pick up RV in Florence, so at least one night fairly local.
Travelling with a 3 year old and wife (so no real long distances, max 300KM in a day).
Been to Venice, Padua and quite a bit of the Adriatic coast so probably want to come up West coast instead
Would like to take in a Lake or two in Northern Italy
Possibily make it to Switzerland?
Drop off RV in Milan
Is this possible in 10 days?
Would ideally like campsites with good facilities for a little one to offset the boredom of the journey for her.
Thanks in Advance
Just wanted to get about a little and see more than one centre. My experience of Italian hotels leaves a lot to be desired (I worked around the northern end of the Adriatic for two years). They tend to be poor quality and expensive. I thought the camp sites would be a more suitable for a little one, giving her the chance to run off steam and enjoy the outdoors a bit.
Thanks Enrico,
My experience of Italian hotels must be tainted from the ones I used for work in and around Padua, which were fairly basic, and the occasional ones in Venice (expensive)and Chiogga/Sotomarina area (Basic)
This is more about a holiday my daughter will enjoy. City centre stuff is never great for little ones, as sight seeing etc. is well down their list of want to do.
I have looked a little closer now, and think I will pick up and drop off in Milan, then something along these lines;
2 days lake Commo area (or anywhere in easy reach of Milan as I will arive late afternoon
2 day Liguria
2 days Tuscany
2-3 days west side of Lake Garda
So any advice on this route would be great. I have seen some great campsites on the net around the lakes etc.They look to be of a good standard?
Thanks
My experience of Italian hotels must be tainted from the ones I used for work in and around Padua, which were fairly basic, and the occasional ones in Venice (expensive)and Chiogga/Sotomarina area (Basic)
This is more about a holiday my daughter will enjoy. City centre stuff is never great for little ones, as sight seeing etc. is well down their list of want to do.
I have looked a little closer now, and think I will pick up and drop off in Milan, then something along these lines;
2 days lake Commo area (or anywhere in easy reach of Milan as I will arive late afternoon
2 day Liguria
2 days Tuscany
2-3 days west side of Lake Garda
So any advice on this route would be great. I have seen some great campsites on the net around the lakes etc.They look to be of a good standard?
Thanks
Thanks for the website tips guys.
Enrico,
I had not thought about rush hour traffic to Lake Como, it is probably the last thing I want after travelling all day with a 3 year old! I guess Como is definatley worth a visit though, or should I just focus on Milan? I have been there for one night, but stayed close to the airport (in a very nice hotel!) and got my first introduction to grappa....I then had to drive all the way to Mugello for the Motogp the following morning with the worst hangover I have had.
I have also had a weekend in Florence for the motogp, loved it, but again, not so much fun for a 3 year old so I will probably try Sienna or Lucca whilst in Tuscany. I see from one of the websites there is a campsite just to the south of Florence that overlooks the city, that may be an option?
My former colleagues all recommend Garda, especially the west side up to Riva del Garda, what would be your recommendation there?
I actually hadent thought of the Ferrari (and Ducati) museums, but as I will be passing it would be rude not to!
Enrico,
I had not thought about rush hour traffic to Lake Como, it is probably the last thing I want after travelling all day with a 3 year old! I guess Como is definatley worth a visit though, or should I just focus on Milan? I have been there for one night, but stayed close to the airport (in a very nice hotel!) and got my first introduction to grappa....I then had to drive all the way to Mugello for the Motogp the following morning with the worst hangover I have had.
I have also had a weekend in Florence for the motogp, loved it, but again, not so much fun for a 3 year old so I will probably try Sienna or Lucca whilst in Tuscany. I see from one of the websites there is a campsite just to the south of Florence that overlooks the city, that may be an option?
My former colleagues all recommend Garda, especially the west side up to Riva del Garda, what would be your recommendation there?
I actually hadent thought of the Ferrari (and Ducati) museums, but as I will be passing it would be rude not to!
Your all starting to worry me!!
I live in Inverness, so the idea is (was!) to fly to Milan (or any other city) and rent a camper from there. Driving from home would be a chore for me even to get to the ferry port. I have driven to Venice once before, in the late 90's and from memory it (although not in any major rush to get there) took me four plus days with ferry crossing. As I only have 10 days to spare, it would definatley mean flights are the only option.
As for the little one, I honestly thought she would be happier in a camper than hotels, given the adventure of it all. We would only do a maximum of 250- 300km in a day at worst, so nothing too long, and would stop for a couple of nights at each stop. Her and the missus can sit at the table in the back and keep each other entertained, whilst I do the driving.
Maybe as my Italian friend suggested, I should take advantage of Sardinia being quiter in June and get a hotel in the north of the Island for this break. Maybe she is a little too young to enjoy this trip??
I live in Inverness, so the idea is (was!) to fly to Milan (or any other city) and rent a camper from there. Driving from home would be a chore for me even to get to the ferry port. I have driven to Venice once before, in the late 90's and from memory it (although not in any major rush to get there) took me four plus days with ferry crossing. As I only have 10 days to spare, it would definatley mean flights are the only option.
As for the little one, I honestly thought she would be happier in a camper than hotels, given the adventure of it all. We would only do a maximum of 250- 300km in a day at worst, so nothing too long, and would stop for a couple of nights at each stop. Her and the missus can sit at the table in the back and keep each other entertained, whilst I do the driving.
Maybe as my Italian friend suggested, I should take advantage of Sardinia being quiter in June and get a hotel in the north of the Island for this break. Maybe she is a little too young to enjoy this trip??
I take your points about them being most happy round pools etc, she is quite well travelled already, been to Florida, Spain x 2, Cyprus x 2, on a Cruise, been in Italy already when I was working there, and Norway recentley and (fingers crossed) never been much bother at all.......but she is getting more nd more prone to tantrums etc. so maybe the idea of a camper van is a bit stupid!
The van we were planning has 4 seats with belts in the back round the table, and we had specified a child seat soit should be safe enough.....
Sardinia sounding more and more likely!!
The van we were planning has 4 seats with belts in the back round the table, and we had specified a child seat soit should be safe enough.....
Sardinia sounding more and more likely!!
Bit of a late update on the trip....but here goes;
Flew to Milan where we were met by the rental company. Van was outside, 40 mins later, paper work signed up, instructions given, luggage loaded (way too much!) GPS programed and the girls safely belted up in the back (there was room for them to sit side by side at the table, little one in child seat and the wife beside her) and we were off.
I had booked a campsite for the first night in Dormaletto the shores of Lake Maggori. Less than an hours drive to keep stress to a minimum with the unknowns. Shouldn't have worried, roads were reasonnably quiet once we left the outskirts of Milan, putting trust in GPS made a massive difference in my perceptions of driving in Italy, my previous memories being spending most of my time wondering what lane I should be in!!
Arrived at camping village lake maggori <www.lagomag.com> very friendlly staff had booked us a lakeside pitch, but asked us to walk around and see if there were any we would prefer, but we stuck with their choice as it was right on the lake besides a small beach. Spent two enjoyable nights here (only downer being that the pool was not yet open for the season). Onsite bar /restauarant quiet but good. Did a trip to Stressa further up the lake, which was stunning.
As we had not made any firm bookings with any other sites (and on advice of staff at first site) we just looked on google maps where to head next...so off we headed in Lake Garda direction....ended in staying in Lazise...which can only be described as beautiful. Again great campsite (http://www.campingspiaggiadoro.com/) this time with very large pools and great facilities, beautiful town within walking distance, plenty to keep little girl happy (including brilliant italian ice creams).
After two nights here then we headed south east to meet with friends at Roslino di Mare on the Adriatic coast. Not quite as classy as the lakes, but nice beaches etc. Campsite again was excellent http://www.rosapineta.it/ Spent a couple of days there also.
Back on the road and back to Lake Garda, spent two days at www.campingbaiaverde.com in Manerba Del Garda. Again very impressed with the campsite, although a little away from the town centre. Still a few restaurants in the area. We went to rent a boat here but unfortunatley the weather was against us, and at the advice of not traumatising a 3 year old by taking her out in rough weather it never happeneed.
last stop was in Vebania again on Lake Maggori....chose here as this was where the camper rental company were based, and they had offered to take us to the airport after dropping van off with them, which made life easier for us. Verbania again is highly recommended, absoutley stunning on the water front with lots of cafes and restaurants...highly recommended.
So to sum it up....fantastic, would have no worries in recommending a similar trip. Travelling in camper was very easy (130kph limit applies on autostrada) toll roads quite expensive but very easy and not very busy. Virtually all service stations have camper facilities for topping up/emptying tanks. Safety of those in back never in question. Campsites all of very high standards, great facilities and friendly staff.
We only met one other brit in 10 days (who actually lived in Italy) most of the campsite/restaurant/cafe staff were suprised we were British as the lakes especially is dominated by Dutch and German tourists (Don't let this put you off, they were all very friendly too). Weather was not brilliant, but we were only stuck in van one night and with plenty Vapollencia Classico (my new favorite wine Zenato Amorone)to keep us company it was no issue. For a three year old, it was just about ideal, swimming, play parks, ice creams and pizza/pasta for your meals!! She had a ball!
What would I change for next trip....maybe not try to squeeze as much in, we covered 1500kms in 10 days, does not sound a lot, but that was only travelling every second day. Italy is pretty big, so trying to cover a lot in a short time is pretty hard. Next time for me it will be lake Commo and a bit of Switzerland.
Flew to Milan where we were met by the rental company. Van was outside, 40 mins later, paper work signed up, instructions given, luggage loaded (way too much!) GPS programed and the girls safely belted up in the back (there was room for them to sit side by side at the table, little one in child seat and the wife beside her) and we were off.
I had booked a campsite for the first night in Dormaletto the shores of Lake Maggori. Less than an hours drive to keep stress to a minimum with the unknowns. Shouldn't have worried, roads were reasonnably quiet once we left the outskirts of Milan, putting trust in GPS made a massive difference in my perceptions of driving in Italy, my previous memories being spending most of my time wondering what lane I should be in!!
Arrived at camping village lake maggori <www.lagomag.com> very friendlly staff had booked us a lakeside pitch, but asked us to walk around and see if there were any we would prefer, but we stuck with their choice as it was right on the lake besides a small beach. Spent two enjoyable nights here (only downer being that the pool was not yet open for the season). Onsite bar /restauarant quiet but good. Did a trip to Stressa further up the lake, which was stunning.
As we had not made any firm bookings with any other sites (and on advice of staff at first site) we just looked on google maps where to head next...so off we headed in Lake Garda direction....ended in staying in Lazise...which can only be described as beautiful. Again great campsite (http://www.campingspiaggiadoro.com/) this time with very large pools and great facilities, beautiful town within walking distance, plenty to keep little girl happy (including brilliant italian ice creams).
After two nights here then we headed south east to meet with friends at Roslino di Mare on the Adriatic coast. Not quite as classy as the lakes, but nice beaches etc. Campsite again was excellent http://www.rosapineta.it/ Spent a couple of days there also.
Back on the road and back to Lake Garda, spent two days at www.campingbaiaverde.com in Manerba Del Garda. Again very impressed with the campsite, although a little away from the town centre. Still a few restaurants in the area. We went to rent a boat here but unfortunatley the weather was against us, and at the advice of not traumatising a 3 year old by taking her out in rough weather it never happeneed.
last stop was in Vebania again on Lake Maggori....chose here as this was where the camper rental company were based, and they had offered to take us to the airport after dropping van off with them, which made life easier for us. Verbania again is highly recommended, absoutley stunning on the water front with lots of cafes and restaurants...highly recommended.
So to sum it up....fantastic, would have no worries in recommending a similar trip. Travelling in camper was very easy (130kph limit applies on autostrada) toll roads quite expensive but very easy and not very busy. Virtually all service stations have camper facilities for topping up/emptying tanks. Safety of those in back never in question. Campsites all of very high standards, great facilities and friendly staff.
We only met one other brit in 10 days (who actually lived in Italy) most of the campsite/restaurant/cafe staff were suprised we were British as the lakes especially is dominated by Dutch and German tourists (Don't let this put you off, they were all very friendly too). Weather was not brilliant, but we were only stuck in van one night and with plenty Vapollencia Classico (my new favorite wine Zenato Amorone)to keep us company it was no issue. For a three year old, it was just about ideal, swimming, play parks, ice creams and pizza/pasta for your meals!! She had a ball!
What would I change for next trip....maybe not try to squeeze as much in, we covered 1500kms in 10 days, does not sound a lot, but that was only travelling every second day. Italy is pretty big, so trying to cover a lot in a short time is pretty hard. Next time for me it will be lake Commo and a bit of Switzerland.
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