Lake Garda

naughtysmurf

We have done diy holidays for the last number of years, really want to go back to Italy, have done Rome / Sorrento & Venice / Bibione in the past, wouldn't mind having a crack at Lake Garda but struggling to find accomodation that isn't way outside our budget

Would need 2 bed apt, hotels don't suit, southernish end of lake, reasonably close to a town onsite pool suitable for kids & be able to walk in the evenings for dinner, lake etc, 15 mins max

If anyone can help please

We stayed in a place in Lazise last year (actually a few hundred metres outside the village), private apartment rental, only a handful of apartments but also a pool. Two bedrooms, though one was quite small (bunk beds), living room/kitchen and a big balcony.

If we were going back again we'd stay in the same place, and we'd recommend it to others - but I can't say for definite about the pool's suitability for kids (our son was 13 at the time), and it's borderline for your 15 minute walk. I recall it was about 12-15 minutes to the centre of Lazise, but it's a bit of an uphill walk back home.

But if it sounds like it might be worth your while looking at, post to say so and I'll give you details (I've no connection with it, btw).

Technique

There's a good campsite at the southwest corner of the lake called Bella Italia.

www.camping-bellaitalia.it

I've stayed in apartments on the campsite. They have their own pool, plus access to all of the park's amenities including a decent restaurant. The town of Peschiera is a short walk away, and ferries leave from here to the towns around the lake. It's just off the autostrada, and a short drive from Gardaland, Verona, Sirmione etc. There are loads of reviews on Trip Advisor etc.

Technique

Technique wrote: »

There's a good campsite at the southwest corner of the lake called Bella Italia.

www.camping-bellaitalia.it

I've stayed in apartments on the campsite. They have their own pool, plus access to all of the park's amenities including a decent restaurant. The town of Peschiera is a short walk away, and ferries leave from here to the towns around the lake. It's just off the autostrada, and a short drive from Gardaland, Verona, Sirmione etc. There are loads of reviews on Trip Advisor etc.

Good shout. Some people we know stayed there last year and again this year and recommended it highly. We tried to book in there for a holiday this year but we left it too late. Peschiera is a good central location for getting to places at the southern end of the lake, and for travelling to places like Verona and Venice.

naughtysmurf

Deleted User wrote: »

We stayed in a place in Lazise last year (actually a few hundred metres outside the village), private apartment rental, only a handful of apartments but also a pool. Two bedrooms, though one was quite small (bunk beds), living room/kitchen and a big balcony.

If we were going back again we'd stay in the same place, and we'd recommend it to others - but I can't say for definite about the pool's suitability for kids (our son was 13 at the time), and it's borderline for your 15 minute walk. I recall it was about 12-15 minutes to the centre of Lazise, but it's a bit of an uphill walk back home.

But if it sounds like it might be worth your while looking at, post to say so and I'll give you details (I've no connection with it, btw).

Ulysses1874, any details much appreciated on the apartment, not sure about Bella Italia for us, like to be able to go back somewhere real quiet in the evenings but wont totally rule it out just yet,
Cheers.

Jake The Fat Ma

We stayed here last year
http://www.piantelle.com/eng/index.php

beautiful place.

kaltz

We stayed in Bella Italia with the 3 kids (9,7,4) this year and are planning a return trip. We also stayed in the apartments at the back of the site and they were nice and quiet in the evening time as all the entertainment is at the other end of the site. About a 15 minute walk to Peschiera along the lakeside. We booked direct with Bella Italia and will do the same this year.

mooshimonster

What apartments did you stay in? thought I'd booked acc direct with the campsite a few nights ago got a confirmation e mail and no back but havn't heard anything since.are they normally slow?they were to send an e mail telling me how to send on deposit etc.

kaltz

I stayed in the Ibisco apartments which were booked direct with Bella Italia. They are notoriously slow to follow up on emails etc. I've found it quicker to follow up any e-mails with a phone call.

If you're looking for flights Aer lingus are flying to Verona this year which is about 20 mins away from the site. Good flight times as well.

ReallyWiggy

mooshimonster wrote: »

What apartments did you stay in? thought I'd booked acc direct with the campsite a few nights ago got a confirmation e mail and no back but havn't heard anything since.are they normally slow?they were to send an e mail telling me how to send on deposit etc.

I'm in the exact same situation. I booked online last weekend, got a reference number but the follow up email to pay deposit never came. I rang them on Wed and they said it will come. Just no indication of when though. Will post here if it does come

mooshimonster

Thanks folks...will give them a call was starting to panic!!

have the flights booked with aer lingus to verona great times beats getting up in the middle of the night to get a 7am ryan air flight !

Would appreciate any words of wisdom /advice you may have on the campsite/area...what to see/avoid....have two children 12 and 10..we usually like to see something of where we are too so won't be sticking to base all the time...however we won't be hiring a car but hear things are pretty much easy to get to with public transport.

Technique

mooshimonster wrote: »

Thanks folks...will give them a call was starting to panic!!

have the flights booked with aer lingus to verona great times beats getting up in the middle of the night to get a 7am ryan air flight !

Would appreciate any words of wisdom /advice you may have on the campsite/area...what to see/avoid....have two children 12 and 10..we usually like to see something of where we are too so won't be sticking to base all the time...however we won't be hiring a car but hear things are pretty much easy to get to with public transport.

Gardaland is good, 20 minutes away on a courtesy bus from outside the campsite. Verona is a really nice city, especially in the evening when the heat and the crowds have subsided. Sirmione, the next town along the lake, is pretty. Take the traghetti (ferries) to the other lakeside towns as well.

naughtysmurf

Missus knocked Bellia Italia on the head so it's South of France this year, pity as Verona flights with Aer lingus are reasonable at the mo.

mooshimonster

kaltz wrote: »

I stayed in the Ibisco apartments which were booked direct with Bella Italia. They are notoriously slow to follow up on emails etc. I've found it quicker to follow up any e-mails with a phone call.

If you're looking for flights Aer lingus are flying to Verona this year which is about 20 mins away from the site. Good flight times as well.

when you book direct with bella italia are the apartments in a different location to hotel/mobile homes advertised in various brochures.Got my confirmation from them so delighted now and looking forward to trip.Booked the Lavanda apt I know it's small hope its not too small but having a balconey swung it for me!!
Have you any tips re shops/places to eat/things to do/daytrips etc would be really appreciated

kaltz

From what I've seen the ones that are booked direct seem to be in the prime locations near the pools. Ours was in a great spot overlooking one of the main pools (there are about 7 in total). As for recommendations, the Terrace restaurant was the best one in the park. Its overlooking the lake and is very reasonable. Carafe of house white was €7 with pizza starting at €4. The Corte Riga was good some nights when there was a clown entertaining the kids. Shops are limited on site but the town is about a 15 minute stroll along the lake. Only outings we did were to Gardaland and the Aquarium. I'd give the Aquarium a miss , Sealife in Bray is better. The kids loved Gardaland and some great rides for the adults (Raptor and Blue Tornado). Didnt do anything else but laze around the campsite. We're going back this year for 2 weeks in June and may venture to Verona and Venice. Its a great spot, the kids will have a ball, the foods great and its very family orientated. Enjoy

mooshimonster

Thanks a million for that.We've done the aquarium in Bray so will give it a miss!! Great to hear that gardaland is good mine just love theme parks and scary rides...portaventura and disney done over the past few years.
Hoping to venture to verona if it's not too hot so will be interested to hear how you get on.
You said you booked independently ...how do you get to campsite from airport? We're flying aerlingus into verona and wonder what's the best option?...one last thing!! are the mosquitos as bad as everyone has told me they will be ?
Thanks

How do I get rid of cross looking icon!!!meant to click smiley one sorry!!

mooshimonster

Thanks!!!

Technique

mooshimonster wrote: »

how do you get to campsite from airport? We're flying aerlingus into verona and wonder what's the best option?

I've stolen this shamelessly from Trip Advisor as I'd been looking at the various options myself:

What is best depends on what time you arrive and the size of your group.
The Airport shuttle Verona Airport to Verona train station costs €6 per person.
aeroportoverona.it/en/…aerobus.asp
What happens next is up to you.
FROM VERONA TRAIN STATION
There is a bus LN026 Verona to Brescia which runs every hour goes via Peschiera and along Via Bella Italia (takes ~ 50mins)
trasportibrescia.it/upload/…LN026.pdf
Don't know the cost (this comes under Brescia Transport) but the Verona Bus service to Peschiera (62-64 see below) Verona to Peschiera is a T4 Tariff which is €3.40.
A Regional train from Verona Train station to Peschiera costs €2.85 Adult (€1.50 children 4- 12) - these trains take ~ 15mins and run every hour-ish.
In between are the more expensive Intercity services
Then jump in a cab at Peschiera train station. www.taxipeschiera.it often have taxis on the rank at Peschiera train station.
So for a family of 4 with kids 4-12 it would cost ~ €33 to Peschiera train station.
Although it is only 3km to Bella Italia if you jump in the cab there will be a start price (~€3 )+ number of passengers + bags. There will be also a minimum fare ( ~€5) - maybe in the end it has cost you overall €40 to get there.
A tranfer Verona-Peschiera with a private company like www.peschieratransfer.it would cost €55
Just for Info 62-64 Verona Bus service (Verona - Peschiera FS (train station) and entire east side of the lake (calls at Gardaland and the Aquapark)
…verona.it/atv_www/…62-64.pdf