Hi Glyn
We've been to northern Italy for the last 2 summers with our 'van. When you say a beach do you mean a sea beach? There are a number of the Italian northern lakes with beaches.
If you want a sea beach the Jesolo Peninsula has a whole line of good campsites stretching along the Adriatic. This, also, has the bonus of easy travel, by ferry, to Venice. We stayed at Camping Cavillino for 2 weeks in 2006 and had a super time.
If a Lake beach is enough we stayed at Camping La Riva in 2006 where the river runs into the northern end of Lake Como. Good views and a small beach on the riverside. In 2007 we spent 2 weeks at Camping Riva San Pietro on Lake Iseo. No beach really but swimming pool and Lake swimming/boating too and Lake and mountain views "to die for". We love Italy.
If you want to read my reviews of the above campsites you can find them here. There are a number of other reviews of Italian sites too, including a few others on the Jesolo Peninsula.
http://www.ukcampsite.co.uk/sites/results.asp?region=Overseas&county=Italy
That website has lots of interesting posts on Italy on its message boards too.
If you have any other questions just post them and I'll answer if I can.
Best wishes.
Tim
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