Italian Campsites (Fly/Drive Holiday)

josip · 14-08-2019 8:32am

Lex Luthor wrote: »

We swam in the lake every day

I’d also recommend hiring a boat for an hour

Think it’s about 80eur but great fun

We swam in the lake too, just skirted the fish

€80 per hour, woof.

poppy37 · 14-08-2019 10:58am

Bella Italia is a great campsite, we have been there twice, last week in June first week in July and I’m in the process of booking again next year. It’s busy but as we prefer the lake the pool situation never bothered us. The pools by the apartments are never overly busy and if you go to the main pools in the afternoon you will always get sun beds. If you turn left at the lake entrance and walk a few mins there is a lovely area with pedalos and the water is very clean.

Have never had a problem with mosquitoes either but would use citronella candles in the evening time. It’s the area around Bella though that really makes the holiday. The walk to Pescheira is beautiful and nearby towns like Sirmione, Lazize, Garda etc are all well worth a visit. Add in Gardaland, Movieland and Caneva water park and there’s something for everyone.
I would highly recommend the Monte Baldo cable cars we did it this year on a day of 39 degrees but it was only 26 on the mountain and the views were gorgeous. Also hiring a boat is a must especially if you have good swimmers among you who love to jump off the boat.

Even though I would love to explore other parts of Italy at the moment Lake Garda and Bella Italia tick all the boxes

Lex Luthor · 14-08-2019 2:15pm

josip wrote: »

We swam in the lake too, just skirted the fish
€80 per hour, woof.

could have been longer maybe 90min

but you get the boat to yourself, 4 of us went on it and headed out into the lake and pulled up

Let my 2 lads do a bit of the driving aswell

I've hired jetskis for a lot more for the hour in other resorts

josip · 14-08-2019 2:25pm

Lex Luthor wrote: »

could have been longer maybe 90min

but you get the boat to yourself, 4 of us went on it and headed out into the lake and pulled up

Let my 2 lads do a bit of the driving aswell

I've hired jetskis for a lot more for the hour in other resorts

We usually hire a boat in Greece where a basic boat (30hp) is €80 for the day.
Understood that this thread is about Lago di Garda so some things are going to be more expensive than elsewhere.

Lex Luthor · 14-08-2019 11:37pm

josip wrote: »

We usually hire a boat in Greece where a basic boat (30hp) is €80 for the day.
Understood that this thread is about Lago di Garda so some things are going to be more expensive than elsewhere.

I got a 4 seater road buggy on a Greek island a few years ago for €80/day

Prices are not comparable between Greece and Italy

bells12 · 02-09-2019 5:19pm

For Bella Italia, can anyone recommend a good transfer company to get from Bergamo airport to the campsite as not renting a car.

poppy37 · 03-09-2019 7:21pm

bells12 wrote: »

For Bella Italia, can anyone recommend a good transfer company to get from Bergamo airport to the campsite as not renting a car.

We have only ever flown into Verona and taken a taxi to Bella Italia. I have however seen Garda Easy Travel and Go Opti recommended. There is a link to Go Opti on the bottom of the Camping Bella Italia website.

There is a very helpful Bella Italia group on Facebook. It’s a closed group but once you request to join you will be granted access very quickly

manshay · 03-09-2019 10:16pm

poppy37 wrote: »

We have only ever flown into Verona and taken a taxi to Bella Italia. I have however seen Garda Easy Travel and Go Opti recommended. There is a link to Go Opti on the bottom of the Camping Bella Italia website.

There is a very helpful Bella Italia group on Facebook. It’s a closed group but once you request to join you will be granted access very quickly

We used Go Opti from Verona to Bella Italia two years ago, they were excellent.

yellow hen · 04-09-2019 11:59am

We're thinking of doing our first ever eurocamp next year. Kids will be 4 and 7 so probably a good age for it. We've always loved Italy so I guess it came up first on our list. So has anyone any suggestions for a camp? Proximity to an airport that may have competitive airline rates would be good. Willing to rent a car but not sure if it would be necessary. thanks,

kirk buttercup · 04-09-2019 12:07pm

I've been to Lake Garda for the last 2 years in two different camps
Bella Italia which was brilliant . its a big camp great proximity to loads of towns around the lake and 10 minute drive from Garda land
really great place
and Eden which is on the other side of the lake much quieter but I really enjoyed it , it s pretty steep but great views and an amazing rooftop bar with a playground you can see just underneath it . you will need a car here as its not in walking distance to any town really .

great vibe around the lake we absolutely loved it .

you can fly into Milan or Venice or Verona

I would recommend a car for both

fdevine · 04-09-2019 3:29pm

Lots of campsites along the Lido di Jeselo/Venezia

Ferry ride from Venice or bus ride from Treviso. I'd recommend a car though.

SusanC10 · 10-09-2019 3:29pm

Any recommendations on Car Hire Companies at Verona Airport please?

Also how far in advance is best to book ?

TIA

Plumbthedepths · 10-09-2019 5:45pm

SusanC10 wrote: »

Any recommendations on Car Hire Companies at Verona Airport please?

Also how far in advance is best to book ?

TIA

Try Centauro rent a car or Autoeurope. I've hired through both and no issues. Just take lots of before and after photos. Get your excess insurance before you go. Booking in advance will give you a better selection to choose from.

westgolf · 10-09-2019 6:22pm

We used indigo car hire this year and found them excellent. They cover most of the airports that Ryanair flies into.

Lex Luthor · 10-09-2019 8:23pm

bells12 wrote: »

For Bella Italia, can anyone recommend a good transfer company to get from Bergamo airport to the campsite as not renting a car.

think we used suntransfers, no issues, would recommend

yellow hen · 11-09-2019 8:39pm

We're close to booking Bella Italia but just trying to figure out the accommodation. We could rent a mobile home for 1500 or an apartment for 1100. On the attached map, the apartments are in the cerise pink to the top right. I can't figure out if this is a good location or not? Are the apartments nice also? Can't guarantee a ground floor one at the time of booking which is a bit of a negative point for me.
https://res.cloudinary.com/holiday-images/image/upload/q_auto:eco,f_auto/v1427992098/mappa-2014-bellaita_csd0fy.pdf

poppy37 · 11-09-2019 8:58pm

yellow hen wrote: »

We're close to booking Bella Italia but just trying to figure out the accommodation. We could rent a mobile home for 1500 or an apartment for 1100. On the attached map, the apartments are in the cerise pink to the top right. I can't figure out if this is a good location or not? Are the apartments nice also? Can't guarantee a ground floor one at the time of booking which is a bit of a negative point for me.
https://res.cloudinary.com/holiday-images/image/upload/q_auto:eco,f_auto/v1427992098/mappa-2014-bellaita_csd0fy.pdf

The apartments are pretty small from what I’ve heard. We have only stayed in mobiles once with Eurocamp for around €1200 and this past summer with Select Camp for €1400. We have booked for next year direct with Bella Italia and the mobile is a Girasole Suite which includes towels and bedding for €1250.

It’s a big site but nothing is too far a walk, the bungalows and most of the apartments are near the pool area, the supermarket, veg shop and souvenirs, tobacco shop etc are at the bottom of the site beside the lake.

My advice would be to join the Bella Italia camping group on Facebook. It’s a very friendly group and even if you do a search of it you will find plenty of posts about the apartments. It’s a closed group but once you request to join you will be granted access very quickly. It’s about the only thing I use Facebook for.

yellow hen · 11-09-2019 11:17pm

poppy37 wrote: »

The apartments are pretty small from what I’ve heard. We have only stayed in mobiles once with Eurocamp for around €1200 and this past summer with Select Camp for €1400. We have booked for next year direct with Bella Italia and the mobile is a Girasole Suite which includes towels and bedding for €1250.

It’s a big site but nothing is too far a walk, the bungalows and most of the apartments are near the pool area, the supermarket, veg shop and souvenirs, tobacco shop etc are at the bottom of the site beside the lake.

My advice would be to join the Bella Italia camping group on Facebook. It’s a very friendly group and even if you do a search of it you will find plenty of posts about the apartments. It’s a closed group but once you request to join you will be granted access very quickly. It’s about the only thing I use Facebook for.

Thanks so much. I had been trying the bella italia site but everything seemed booked up. Then I found a girasole mobile for 7 nights for €660 so I booked it. Figured we could add 2/3 nights in venice at the end of the 7 nights. The site didnt require any booking deposit.. is that right?

poppy37 · 12-09-2019 8:28am

yellow hen wrote: »

Thanks so much. I had been trying the bella italia site but everything seemed booked up. Then I found a girasole mobile for 7 nights for €660 so I booked it. Figured we could add 2/3 nights in venice at the end of the 7 nights. The site didnt require any booking deposit.. is that right?

They will email you in about a week to ten days(they are v slow so be prepared) you will have to create an account and then they will send you on details for a bank transfer for the deposit. It’s easier to do it in the bank than online. It could take another few days before they confirm they have it. You don’t have to pay the balance until the day before you go home.

That’s a good price you got, ours is for ten night end June beginning of July

yellow hen · 12-09-2019 8:58am

poppy37 wrote: »

They will email you in about a week to ten days(they are v slow so be prepared) you will have to create an account and then they will send you on details for a bank transfer for the deposit. It’s easier to do it in the bank than online. It could take another few days before they confirm they have it. You don’t have to pay the balance until the day before you go home.

That’s a good price you got, ours is for ten night end June beginning of July

Brilliant, thanks poppy. We might be neighbours there... we go on 24th june!

Lex Luthor · 13-09-2019 5:30am

I had a family member come back this year and stayed in the bungalows
Said very bad inside
Very little mod cons and basic
No toaster/kettle even
Run down
Wouldn’t stay in one again
We stayed in a Avant from Eurocamp
Much nicer
Better off with the mobiles I think

yellow hen · 13-09-2019 8:57am

Lex Luthor wrote: »

I had a family member come back this year and stayed in the bungalows
Said very bad inside
Very little mod cons and basic
No toaster/kettle even
Run down
Wouldn’t stay in one again
We stayed in a Avant from Eurocamp
Much nicer
Better off with the mobiles I think

Do you know, the web photos even look a bit sad and drab. The mobiles look more compact alright but definitely brighter and more modern.

Now on a different note, we were looking at the cost of transfers from Milan airports and they're approx 160 e/w so we're thinking of hiring a car from Milan and returning it to Verona as we take a day trip there. Would you recommend car hire? (we've two small kids so moving between different types of public transport after getting off a flight is never going to go well).

Plumbthedepths · 13-09-2019 9:18am

Saw so much on here about Bella Italia, decided to give it a go. Booked a Girasole for my wife and I. 7 nights from May 2nd next year I know it's cooler than peak season but still warmer than here at that time of year. 216 euro for the 7 days, 230 euro to Ryanair and 99 euro for the car hire. Circa 550 euro for a week's holiday at Lake Garda, bargain.
Just have to break it to the wife we are going to Italy for the 9th time, ;-)

Plumbthedepths · 13-09-2019 9:20am

yellow hen wrote: »

Do you know, the web photos even look a bit sad and drab. The mobiles look more compact alright but definitely brighter and more modern.

Now on a different note, we were looking at the cost of transfers from Milan airports and they're approx 160 e/w so we're thinking of hiring a car from Milan and returning it to Verona as we take a day trip there. Would you recommend car hire? (we've two small kids so moving between different types of public transport after getting off a flight is never going to go well).

I would always recommend car hire as it gives you so much freedom, but having the hassle of travelling with child seats can be a pain. Public transport from the lake area to Verona is very good and really inexpensive.

Lex Luthor · 13-09-2019 9:41am

We booked a taxi through sun transfers from Verona and back again
Our lads were 16 & 14 at the time so we already had decided before we went that we were not going to do a lot of travel around as the last 4-5 holidays comprised of car hire and just doing a lot of driving
We hired bikes for a few days and basically walked or took the bus to the water park and garda land from the town
Milan airport to Bella is a bit of a trek though
Probably as other have recommended and with you having 2 small kids its just better all round
Check with the hire company about dropping off at another airport as they might charge an extra fee

You definitely made a better choice with the mobile. I find especially with the likes of the mobile home companies they upgrade them frequently
Eurocamp had only just put in the Avant home the year before so they were great
The bungalows I was told look run down and probably never got a lick of paint since they were built

Lex Luthor · 13-09-2019 9:49am

yellow hen wrote: »

We're close to booking Bella Italia but just trying to figure out the accommodation. We could rent a mobile home for 1500 or an apartment for 1100. On the attached map, the apartments are in the cerise pink to the top right. I can't figure out if this is a good location or not? Are the apartments nice also? Can't guarantee a ground floor one at the time of booking which is a bit of a negative point for me.
https://res.cloudinary.com/holiday-images/image/upload/q_auto:eco,f_auto/v1427992098/mappa-2014-bellaita_csd0fy.pdf

I don't see the Girasole marked in the index of the map but they have green rectangles on the map, maybe this is them?

Our plot was located up in the far left #76, 3 spaces left of the TO Area I think

It was really quiet and right by the front which suited us perfect and had nice shading from the sun to sit out on the deck

I hope they improved the WIFI cos its diabolical there and mobile reception was terrible aswell

josip · 13-09-2019 10:20am

Be very careful driving a hire car in Italy, especially in towns/cities.
There are a lot of experiences here and the motor forum of fines for speeding in zones that are purely revenue generators for the local councils.

yellow hen · 16-09-2019 9:38am

I booked last Wednesday on the Bella Italia website (https://www.camping-bellaitalia.it/en/) but haven't yet heard from them yet re paying the booking deposit. Does that sound abnormally long?

poppy37 · 16-09-2019 9:15pm

yellow hen wrote: »

I booked last Wednesday on the Bella Italia website (https://www.camping-bellaitalia.it/en/) but haven't yet heard from them yet re paying the booking deposit. Does that sound abnormally long?

No it usually takes at least a week if not ten days. It’s not the easiest way to book but worth it for the savings

yellow hen · 16-09-2019 9:47pm

poppy37 wrote: »

No it usually takes at least a week if not ten days. It’s not the easiest way to book but worth it for the savings

Ah that's fine. No hurry so long as it's the norm. Was a bargain price so I definitely won't complain.

redmissb · 17-09-2019 2:05pm

We were in Bella this year, stayed in Acacia mobile. It was fine, could have been cleaner but got such a good price I let it go. Mum and her friend were there too and stayed in one of the apartments..basic but clean. They got a ground floor one, I wouldn't book them myself as I'd prefer decking outside and wouldn't like upper ones as balcony looked very small. Booked again for next year, staying in a safari tent with Eurocamp, location of tents is amazing..right down at the lake. Such a beautiful part of the world, can't wait to go back again/

beggars_bush · 16-10-2019 2:49pm

Hello
we were thinking of flying into Milan in late June and hiring a car and going camping for 3+ weeks in the north of the country
couple travelling with a 20 month old

can anyone recommend a few campsites?
we're not into huge campsites and self catering is our usual choice
sites with a pool would be a plus

we were in the french alps for 2 weeks last year so we thought Italy might be a nice change

thanks

crunchie1 · 17-10-2019 11:48am

Hi, we're hoping to travel to Italy this yr (kids 8 +6).,Looking at Altomicio, MArina De Venezia & Spiaggia E mare :eek:..Worried about the #Mosquitos! Has anyone any recommendations on any of these , however after reading the posts i'm looking at Bella Italia even though we dont like large parks..
Thanks

greenspurs · 17-10-2019 3:22pm

We stayed for 1 week last summer in Ca Savio.

Really great spot, would recommend.
Near the beach, great facilities , and not too far for a day trip to Venice

ncmc · 17-10-2019 4:43pm

beggars_bush wrote: »

Hello
we were thinking of flying into Milan in late June and hiring a car and going camping for 3+ weeks in the north of the country
couple travelling with a 20 month old

can anyone recommend a few campsites?
we're not into huge campsites and self catering is our usual choice
sites with a pool would be a plus

we were in the french alps for 2 weeks last year so we thought Italy might be a nice change

thanks

Can I ask, did you stay in Campsites in the French Alps and if so, which ones? We have holidayed in Annecy a few times over the last few years and love the area, but the nearby campsites are a lot more expensive than a SC apartment would be. Not sure if it's worth the extra spend.

josip · 17-10-2019 4:58pm

ncmc wrote: »

Can I ask, did you stay in Campsites in the French Alps and if so, which ones? We have holidayed in Annecy a few times over the last few years and love the area, but the nearby campsites are a lot more expensive than a SC apartment would be. Not sure if it's worth the extra spend.

We stayed in Nature & Lodge near Chamonix a couple of years ago.

https://goo.gl/maps/dSu8LiX4aaeqXdiV9
Campsite very nice.

No pool, but excellently located if you're there for the mountains.

beggars_bush · 17-10-2019 6:35pm

ncmc wrote: »

Can I ask, did you stay in Campsites in the French Alps and if so, which ones? We have holidayed in Annecy a few times over the last few years and love the area, but the nearby campsites are a lot more expensive than a SC apartment would be. Not sure if it's worth the extra spend.

Pralognan la Vanoise. Chalet in campsite with indoor pool. Beautiful spot and lovely campsite. Graded walks that start from the campsite
La Rosiere. Mobile home with small outdoor pool. Great views, campsite a bit basic but met out needs when out hiking with baby

beggars_bush · 23-10-2019 9:28pm

beggars_bush wrote: »

Hello
we were thinking of flying into Milan in late June and hiring a car and going camping for 3+ weeks in the north of the country
couple travelling with a 20 month old

can anyone recommend a few campsites?
we're not into huge campsites and self catering is our usual choice
sites with a pool would be a plus

we were in the french alps for 2 weeks last year so we thought Italy might be a nice change

thanks

I'm quoting myself here but would anyone be able to suggest a few places?

Otherwise it's back to France we go

Plumbthedepths · 23-10-2019 9:44pm

beggars_bush wrote: »

I'm quoting myself here but would anyone be able to suggest a few places?

Otherwise it's back to France we go

Milan to Lake Garda is not a mad drive. A little place called Pacengo close to Lazise has a nice sized campsite right beside the village. Close to the lake and some nice restaurants vin the village and a self service laundry which is important with a 20 month old, my memory of this campsite was very child friendly and a nice pool area but you also have the lake. It's only a few K from Pescheria del Garda, which is the autostrada exit.
If driving is not an issue there is a lovely campsite outside Rome called Camping Fabulous. Nice sized camp with a nice pool and good amenities on site. Public transport close to the site into the heart of Rome is brilliant.
Milan to Rome is a long drive but if it were me I would spilt it over two days.

crunchie1 · 28-11-2019 12:27pm

Hi, going to book altomincio this weekend..Finalising dates and have a query about the weather in early June or last week in June..Just afraid the weather wont be good on the first week of June? Any experiences?
Thanks

beggars_bush · 02-12-2019 1:49pm

Flights booked
Accommodation sorted
Car hire, done

De Bhál · 02-12-2019 1:53pm

crunchie1 wrote: »

Hi, going to book altomincio this weekend..Finalising dates and have a query about the weather in early June or last week in June..Just afraid the weather wont be good on the first week of June? Any experiences?
Thanks

don't know about the weather in June but we've spent the last 2 family holidays in Altomincio.

Loved it

SusanC10 · 02-12-2019 2:19pm

beggars_bush wrote: »

Flights booked
Accommodation sorted
Car hire, done

Do you mind my asking which company/website you used for Car Hire ?

beggars_bush · 02-12-2019 3:21pm

SusanC10 wrote: »

Do you mind my asking which company/website you used for Car Hire ?

auto europe and then hertz.

€470 for 23 days, which works out at €20 per day

I used auto europe last year and found them fine

SusanC10 · 02-12-2019 3:32pm

beggars_bush wrote: »

auto europe and then hertz.

€470 for 23 days, which works out at €20 per day

I used auto europe last year and found them fine

That's a great price. We have 21 days so will give them a go.

beggars_bush · 02-12-2019 6:47pm

I actually forgot to say where we're going
Flying into Milan Linate
Le Ecrins NP in France for 9 days
Onto Le Devoluy in France for a week then back to Lake Como for a week.
Using house exchange for the middle week so that's more or less a free week.
Delighted to have it booked

crunchie1 · 02-12-2019 7:29pm

De Bhál wrote: »

don't know about the weather in June but we've spent the last 2 family holidays in Altomincio.

Loved it

Thanks.. booked end of June 9 Nights with the human company for 600. The relief when its booked!!

highly1111 · 26-12-2019 5:06pm

Hi All,

I'm researching a week in Bella Italia and there's a 3 bed mobile available for a week through booking.com for €1500. Has anyone booked through booking.com or directly with the site? I'm just a little worried about the standard and not having the back up of a eurocamp style rep if we go direct? has anyone any experience?

Thanks a million

josip · 26-12-2019 8:44pm

highly1111 wrote: »

Hi All,

I'm researching a week in Bella Italia and there's a 3 bed mobile available for a week through booking.com for €1500. Has anyone booked through booking.com or directly with the site? I'm just a little worried about the standard and not having the back up of a eurocamp style rep if we go direct? has anyone any experience?

Thanks a million

We've booked directly with Bella Italia before and found them very accommodating; they gave us a discount when we left a day early.

We've used booking.com for many places around Europe. Once, when the hotel made a mistake with the reservation, they sorted things out for us and secured a room upgrade and a 50% discount.

poppy37 · 14-05-2020 12:15pm

Resurrecting this thread as I just received confirmation from Bella Italia this morning that our booking has been moved to 2021. I requested this a week ago and asked would they honour this years price which they agreed to do. They were very easy to deal with and it gives us something to look forward to.

Roll on 2021, I would love to get away in September/October even for a city break somewhere but it looks highly unlikely at this stage.

Italian Campsites (Fly/Drive Holiday)

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