Where to in Italy this Summer

[Tim2]

Hi Folks

Happy New Year to all you fellow Italy Fans

We are just agonising over next year Summer's trip. 2006: Lake Como and Venice, 2007 Rome and Lake Iseo. Where to in 2008? That is the question. We will be going for c5 weeks with our Bailey Senator (7.2 metres) and, hopefully, new-to-us 4x4. We have to go in July/August as teachers. We like quieter sites with sea/Lake views and preferably somewhere we can make use of our Zodiac inflatable (with outboard). We may take Max the border collie and Sam 19 year old son with us but neither are certain??!!.

I quite fancy Naples and Sorrento but C is not too sure about the distance as she found Roma a bit far. I would love to see Capri and Pompei too. East coast is another possibility. We'd probably stop at a Lake on the way up or down - thinking of Garda or Maggiore.

I know this is very vague but would be grateful for ALL/ANY suggestions.

 

[BarryB_5039906]

Hi Tim

We love Italy but Tuscany is great. If you want a quieter place try Lake Bolsena, but to be fair we have not yet visited this area. Lake Garda is also lovely. BUT where ever you go just enjoy............

Happy travels BarryB

PS We are off to Florence and Garda with a week in the French alps first.

 

[giovanni_5060838]

5 weeks A......... I think you can do all of what you want to do.

Just obviously pace yourself both on the way down and on the way back.

You properbly know of this website...http://www.camping.it/

Not a mountain lover? otherwise the dolomites are something not to be missed, best bits are east of bolzano, from there you would then drop down to lake garda and venice.

"east coast" not a bad idea either, san marino [just inland from rimini] is a must too, culture wise add ravanna.

From the east coast you can take the A24 or A25 inland to rome,

whilst still catching a good look of the gran saso range.

For Naples and the amalfi coast, i would found a campsite north of this area, and visit these places by car or train.

Making your way back up gives you easy options to visit pisa [a morning worth] and lucca, worth a bit more. Hell your choice is huge.

But i guess you know all that.. good luck and enjoy.....

 

[KeithJ]

Hi Tim

If you fancy somewhere a bit different, and not too far to reach, we spent some time on the isle of Elba in 2005. The island was beautiful - reminded us very much of a Greek island. We thought it might be a bit remote and supplies scarce, but there was a large supermarket near the ferry port, and we stayed on a superb site only a few miles from the port. Once on site we were able to explore in the car without the van on the back. Ferry prices were reasonable too!

I haven't given specific details as I am writing this from memory, but if you are interested I will look up the site name and ferry details.

We only stumbled on the location in passing because we decided not too drive as far south as originally intended (Naples/Sorrento like you).

Let me know if you want any more information

Happy planning

Keith

 

[Tim2]

Hi Barry B, Giovanni and Keith

I will certainly look into all those suggestions as we do love mountains, sea and lakes with GOOD VIEWS and PEACE and QUIET and interesting cities thrown in for days out. We DON'T like Costa Butins type sites.

Keith I would be interested in more info on Elba if it's not too much trouble.

Thanks everyone

Please keep the ideas coming

 

[KeithJ]

Hi Tim

The campsite we stayed on was Camping Rosselba le Palme (number IT6688 in Alan Rogers guide), situated only about 15 minutes from the ferry port. The write up in the guide describes it well. There are some commercial holiday companies operating on the site but they were not intrusive when we went in June. A particular feature of the site that we liked was the central botanical gardens with palm trees etc. Also the swimming pool complex, and the perimeter walking/jogging/cycling track. It is about 500 metres walk down a track through the lush vegetation to the sea, but there are plenty of other beaches to discover by car around the island. The site is quite hilly, so probably not suitable for people who are not reasonably fit. The island certainly has mountains, beaches and blue sea, and beautiful views.

The ferry from Piombino (south of Livorno) to Portoferraio is operated by Moby lines (www.moby.it) and is very frequent throughout the day. It looks as though it will cost you about 250 euros return with your outfit in peak season - quite a bit more than we paid in June 2005 - but if you set that off against the extra fuel cost for travelling further south it is worth it I think. You can book through the web site, or other booking services, but we picked up tickets at the port (also available at garages etc nearby).

As I mentioned before there is a large supermarket on the island, near the port. (we even bought a bike there!!)

I cannot speak for how busy it would be in July/August, but it was quiet in June and I think would meet with your criteria.

Hope this helps. Let me know if I can be of further assistance.

Regards

Keith