We plan to stop off at one of the Italian lakes this year and at the moment Como is favourite. I have had a quick look at the sites around the lake and none immediately say 'stay here' to me, since we very much favour smaller, family owned/run sites. However, though not on Lake Como itself, Camping Ranocchio sounds more our type of place.
Any advice or suggestions gratefully received.
------------- LynniB
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Hi, There are some nice campsites on this website that you might like, although i haven't stopped at any of them so can't review. I've been planning our trip through Italy and really liked the look of Camping Ranocchio but couldn't book a pitch with them. I emailed their website a few times with no reply and then I noticed in the small print they don't accept advance bookings. I wanted to know we had a pitch to arrive to after a 4-5 hour drive so have booked a campsite just inside Switzerland instead.
Some previous posts that might be worth a look through.
------------- XVI yes?
As well is two words!
How does a sage know everything about everything? or does he? or does he just think he does?
Remember, if you buy something you bought it, not brought it.
We stayed at Camping Darna in Porlezza on Lago di Lugano and it is a excellent camping spot, right on the lake great pizza and 30min max to Lake Como.we also stayed at a camping magic lake on Como and it was crap. We should have stayed at the one next door on the northern side of the xxamp.Camping Darna is in a beautiful spot and swimming on the front door. Depending on time of Year i would book in advance.
Camping La Riva is looking favourite at the moment, which we can book via the CAMC. Camping Ranocchio is a close 2nd but I would prefer the option to reserve a pitch as it is likely to be July when we arrive in the area.
We visited Lake Como a couple of years ago and found it very busy - too busy for us and we quickly moved on to Lake Maggiore where there are a number of small sites and much quieter with plenty to see and do. Whatever you decide to do - enjoy and stay safe
Don't forget to leave a review of the French and other European campsites you have visited!
truth is the italians themselves take a dim view of camping.
talking to customers and agents they think camping is for poor people sine most of them have holiday homes in their families. as a result their campsites seem to be lack lustre and generally occupied by nothern europeans.
i toured italy by motorbike several times and most of the sites wer quite grim and often over filled especially on lake como.we literally wisited sevral campsites in each location before settling for one either because it was ok or because it was too late to continue looking.
the site near lake como we eventually chose having visited 3 before it and running a mile was camping au lac du como in sorico
the showers were in a wooden bulding at one corner of the site but the site had a swimming pool and a restaurant and shop. i wished we had spent more nights there rather than take the time to ride to the riviera coast where we found the most aweful campsites.
our pitches at au Lac were right next to the water only separated by a chainlink fence and a foot path. theres a small supermarket within easy walking distance of the campsite too.
------------- First van bailey ranger 550/6
Now the proud owner of a coachman amara
Hi, we have stayed at Ranocchio and found it a lovely little place.
You are not on Como but you are on the side of Lago Di Piano which is a lovely setting.
Its location is good with Como just a short drive away, and access to ferries to reach Bellagio, Varenna etc, and Lugano not too far either.
We stayed there after a couple of weeks on Garda where we were pitched among the scores of Italians with seasonal pitches so not sure why anyone would think that the Italians 'dont like' camping.
The routes to the site when we stayed were not great, with all involving small and very busy roads, but a tunnel, on the route from Lugano, has now been finished so it will be a lot easier.
Dont know what prices will be but considered staying at Riva a couple of years ago, chose a different route in the end, and seem to recall it was expensive.
The reason I think Italians don’t like camping is this: the campsites are not of the same quality as the French campsites. There seems to be no rules on pitch density.
I have a number of customers and agents in Italy. When I have told them about my camping and caravanning exploits and asked them about why you don’t see so many caravans and motor homes they tell me “camping is not so popular in Italy, it’s seen as a poor persons holiday’.
There was a kind of seasonal site next to the site we stayed at in sorico but the caravans had been “boxed in” and looked like log cabins from a distance. When I have camped in Italy in touring sites, I didn’t see many Italian cars on the sites mostly Dutch, German, danish etc.....when in France where the campsites are excellent you see lots of French folk camping.
------------- First van bailey ranger 550/6
Now the proud owner of a coachman amara
Don't forget to leave a review of the French and other European campsites you have visited!
I get the impression that Italians simply aren't as keen on camping as some other nationalities - it's just their nature. Their camp sites tend to be concentrated in just a few areas popular with foreign tourists.
However, like JoannaLesley, I haven't found Italian camp sites to be as grim as Baileyjake describes them. Perhaps he's just been unlucky. We've certainly come across occasional below-par sites in France, Germany, Austria and even the Netherlands, but by and large we've enjoyed most of the 130-plus European sites we've visited!
------------- Il vaut mieux vivre ses reves que rever sa vie
Hi
we have booked Camping Le Riva at Como for June which looks quite nice.
we stayed at Camping Fornella on Lake Garda last year, spotless, great bar/restaurant but got quite busy with german Holiday makers so we moved around the corner to Camping ideal Molino, in San Felice del Benaco.
absolutely superb, quite small, very family, fantastic restaurant/bar right on the lake (no mossies!!) and its own slipway into the lake.
I`m fairy certain thishttps://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/ShowUserReviews-g187834-d5963874-r222946733-Agri_Camping_Clarke-Bellagio_Lake_Como_Lombardy.html
is where we stayed a fair few years ago! Beautiful views! It was a small site and one of the owners was/is British. Access in our large twin axle should not have been possible apparently, but we did not know that in advance, and our then teenage sons bounced/manhandled our caravan round the worst bend lol Well worth the effort!
A day of all things motorhome and campervan. The show is held both in the main indoor arena and across the grounds. Catering, hot drinks and food options are available. Easy access to the site and free parking included. Win one of five pairs of day tickets
Topic: Lake Como
