We stopped at Lake Garda on the way back from Croatia via Venice and the Dolomites. From Lake Garda to Aix-le-Bains was a good day's drive, and that was with two of us taking turns. From there to Calais was, again, a very long day's drive.
A more direct route would probably be through Switzerland and as it is very scenic, why not bank on at least one stop,(I'd suggest two), and make the journey part of the holiday. You have plenty of time, so why rush.
The Italian Lakes are very beautiful and it is easy to do day trips by car, or even better, let the train take the strain and give yourself a rest. Gerona and Milan are within easy reach.
Best of luck,
Jim.
We have been to Italy a couple of times. I would have thought you should allow a couple of stops en route. Alternatively make the journey part of the holiday and stop off for a couple of days at each place. I have always gone into Italy via Austria, the first time because it was part of a tour we did back in 1992 but more recently in 2000 we went from Calais/Belgium/Germany/Austria/Italy. If Rostrevor sees this post he will suggest another route via Switzerland which he has used quite a lot. Italy is a lovely country to camp in. I accept it is a bit further than some destinations but you have 5 weeks so plenty of time.
There are 4 main Italin Lakes in the North of Italy. Como, Maggiore, and Lugano all border Switzerland. Lake Garda is usually the one identified as the 'Italian Lakes'
If you want, in the five weeks try at least two or three of them and call in at Switzerland fo a couple of days on the way down/back.
From Calais, towing a caravan, we make Switzerland on the second day and stay for a few days at Interlaken. Spectacular scenery and a chance to unwind wandering round the mountains. From there, try Lake Maggiore, a short days drive. There are a large number of camp sites beween Baveno (the furthest north Brits seem to venture) and Verbania. A nice area of the Lake with local buses and trains.
Another short days drive from there is Lake Garda, a totally different lake.Mountainous in the north, flatter on the south. Many camp sites all round it.
Lake Como has mountains all round. We have only stayed in the north but the next time we go, we will look at the area round Menaggio which looks very interesting.
We have passed Lugano on several occasions but never stopped there.
All these locations are a short days drive from one another. It is two days drive from any of them back to port.
Anyone know how Italy compares to Spain or South of France regarding thefts from caravans etc? We have heard several "horror staories" from Spain and witnessed some France
We have been to Italy for the past 13 or so years and have never known or heard of anyone who has had their caravan broken into whilst in Italy. We have heard of Motorhomes being broken into whilst in the tourist cities. BUT like everywhere else, there is alway some light fingered moron.
We once stayed overnight on a Municipal in France. The following morning over 20 vans had been the subject of theft. Ours was not one of them
We went to Molveno in the Dolomites several years ago. went Dover Calais spot over in Germany Koblenz ( I think!) then on to Grindlewald in Switzerland for 3 nights then a week in the dolomites similar journey home staying in Shaffhausen and the rhine valley again. You have loads of time and I would recomment a 2/3 night stop over at each place to explore and relax. If you rest alot you won't find it exausting at all!! Lucky you thats what I say.....................
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Don't forget to leave a review of the French and other European campsites you have visited!
Me, OH and 2 kids (age 8 & 6) went thru Holland, Belgium, France, Luxembourg, back into France, Switzerland, Italy, France again and Spain last year. Started in Amsterdam and ended in Salou. Spent 3 nights in each country, yes put the tent and all the paraphinalia!!(good job driving is better that spelling!) each time and had an absolutely and thoroughly fantastic time. Saw lots of things, fantastic scemery, lovely people and experienced what camping is all about - freedom.
Kids had a great time and we didn't book a thing other than the ferry. We had no alternative but use a hotel two nights cause it was chucking it down and very late due to trying to get too far in one day but, it was an adventure and one we are doign again this year. We have a europe atlas and the ferry booked and can't wait.
Enjoy it and have fun - life is an adventure and it beats the day job!
We had 5 weeks and 2 days away in 2003, crossed to Rotterdam and headed to the Italian Lakes via Austria, 2 stops leaving the ship at 8am. Went on via Venice , San Marino, right down to Bari, and back via Naples, Rome, Pisa, Milan and Switzerland.
We`ve taken 4 - 5 weeks to do a tour inc the Italian lakes a couple of times. We went first to the South of France then along the coast through Monaco into Italy and up to the lakes. Staying at Bellagio on Lake Como at a tiny site with its own Lido a short drive away and fantastic views.The site was owned by a couple the wife of whom is English. At Lake Garda we stayed at Europa Syllveya (not sure of that spelling) which has to have the cleanest sanitaries of any site I have EVER stayed on anywhere. Dutch owned (I think or it may have been German) they speak some English and though a little cramped it has a great pool and direct access onto the lake. The lakeside is a bit of a gathering place for teenagers late evening but I only know that cause thats where ours went, there was no distubance or late night noise. We went home up through Switzerland one year and the Italian dolomites/Austria another. I thoroughly recommend taking a leisurely tour and making stopovers of 2 or 3 days as there is so many great places to see en route. Have a great holiday.
We are off to Italy tomorrow for a couple of months, going via Switzerland for a change instead of Austria. We go for a couple of months 2 or 3 times a year, love Italy, especially Sicily. Elba is also lovely and well worth a visit.
Our next hol in May and June is planned to be around the Italian Lakes and will probably spend some time in Switzerland as well. Having bought the Vignette, might as well make use of it.
We camped at a fantastic site booked through CCC Carefree brochure - it was near Venice called Ca Savio. Fantastic experience really good site with security staff (but not at all in your face). We never heard of any problems and certainly felt safe.
We went Folkestone to Dunkirk then drove through Germany and Austria passing close to Lake Garda on the way to Venice. Stopped first night in Munch and completed the journey easily the following day.
Probably the best camping holiday we ever had.
------------- David Pulman ... flaps extended, gear down and settled on final approach for a smooth touch down
I drive from England to Italy regularly (I own a camp site in Tuscany). My preferred route takes between 17 and 20 hours (plus overnight stop clearly) and starts with a ferry crossing with Norfolk line. This goes to Dunkirk and is much quieter (no coach parties or foot passengers) from Dunkirk follow the motorway:
Dunkerque
Follow N225 then A25 to Lille via Armentieres
Lille
E42 via Mons, Charleroi towards Liege Turn right before Liege onto A4E411 towards
Luxembourg
Metz
Follow A4 E25 also called E35 to
Strasbourg
Colmar
Mulhouse
Basel
Gottard
Luzern
Bellinzona
Lugano
Milano
Parma
Modena
Bologna
Firenze
Follow A1 south past Siena.All the bridges are numbered. Turn off just past bridge No. 273 to
Sinalunga
Trequanda
Montisi
San Giovanni d’Asso
In Switzerland you will pay a road tax but it's cheaper than the French road tolls further south.
We camped at a fantastic site booked through CCC Carefree brochure - it was near Venice called Ca Savio. Fantastic experience really good site with security staff (but not at all in your face). We never heard of any problems and certainly felt safe.
Would echo the recommendation for Ca Savio - very well run site, but relaxed with it. Van came around each night and 'nuked' all the mosquitoes in the trees. Supermarket on site was cheaper than the local one in the town. Great pizza place on the beach just outsite the campsite entrance. Great day trips into Venice - catch the boat just 5 minutes from the campsite, 45 minute trip into Venice, then spend the day hopping off and on the water-taxis.
As for the route to get there (we were travelling with four children aged 2 - 7), we spent two nights in the grounds of an old castle on the banks of the Rhine near Koblenz, 3 nights in the French Alps at site in Susten, 2 nights at a site by stream near Lake Maggiore, and a week at Ca Savio. We broke the journey home by spending 3 nights near Annecy.
However we were 'Eurocamping' so we had no setting up to do when we got to the site, but the distances were not unbearable even with 4 kids in the car ... but we were ably assisted by TV/Video player in the car!
We did 5 weeks away from Calais last summer in our motorcaravan. Had a great time and our itinary was through France (Camping Les Saules, Bailleul), Luxembourg City (Camping Kockelscheuer). We then had 3 nights in Munster (France) and then on into Switzerland. You could have as many/ few nights as you liked around Bern, Interlaken, Luzern. We then went to Lake Lugano (Eurocamping Agno). We went through the St Gotthard tunnel - no extra charge other than your Swiss motorway vignette £20. In Italy we stayed on Lake Garda at Riva del Garda, (Camping Monte Brione) a 5 minute stroll into Riva. Very good site.Came back over Brenner pass in rain and thunderstorms but the views are supposed to be great! Then through Germany (Augsburg -Camping Lech has great showers and toilets!), Black Forest, Lux'bourg, Bailleul, Calais. (All campsites in Caravan Club book except Lugano).Both ways we paid out very little in tolls (£28 whole trip). Have a great time.
Amazing family weekend with old steam engines, classic car displays, market stalls, and full catering and bar. And camping on site - Save £25 by booking in advance.
Topic: Italy
