Italy Summer 2026

[Neuromancer11]

Hi all, well after the success of my France Trip earlier this year, I'm definitely doing Italy next year (which was our original intended destination this year but didn't work out), I've booked 7 nights with an on pitch ensuite at Camping Fornella at Lake Garda in July.

My plan so far is to get an early Saturday morning crossing (Dover/Calais) and drive down to Troyes staying at Camping Lac De Orient for two nights, then drive to Chamonix and stay in one of the non-pre-bookable campsites down there for another two nights, heading through the tunnel and getting to Lake Garda Wednesday afternoon for the 7 night stop.

I'm looking for recommendations for on the way back for remaining 4 nights, ideally i'll get a late afternoon/early evening crossing on the Saturday, then drive straight up to Leicestershire getting back late(we did this last yeah from Lac De Orient so know its feasible), I'm thinking just 2x two night stop overs to minimise setting up and take downs, need campsites that are kid friendly and have excellent shower facilities, avoiding Aires this time as the wife needs creature comforts Anyone got any good recommendation, or indeed other ideas? was thinking east Switzerland or southern Germany maybe for the first stop, the somewhere further north before the run to Calais, i'd like to squeeze in Stelvio Pass if that lines up too

 

[scottk]

We stayed at Schloss Helmsdorf on lake Contance. Very nice with lovely facilities, shop on site and a good restaurant on site. You get vouchers for free bus travel in the area and there’s a good cycle path right outside the campsite. I’m sure there are lots of good campsites in this area.
One thing to note is you need to pay for showers 50c is usually enough. Washing machines, dryers and dishwashers are all free but you need to pay for the shower.

 

[sidepod]

Return via Innsbruck/Bavaria/Germany/Belgium.

Plenty to visit. Toll free motoring apart from a vignette in Austria.

 

[pluc99]

Lake Garda is beautiful and very popular. You'll be in a fairly built up area that is an absolute traffic nightmare, practically stop and go traffic all day along the lake road and good luck finding any parking. Ideally you'll not be moving the camper while you're there.

D1. Getting back, you could go to Bormio over either Lo Stelvio or Tonnale, the latter being a more relaxing drive than the narrow roads leading to Lo Stelvio. If you go via Tonnale you could still do an excursion up Lo Stelvio from Bormio .

D2. Bormio -> Flüela -> Davos or Klosters
D3. Davos/Klosters -> Walensee -> Interlaken/Lake Thun
D4. Interlaken -> Gruyeres -> Jura -> Pontarlier (F)
D5. Pontarlier -> Calais -> Home

 

[Louis II]

We did a similar trip a few years ago. Stayed at huttopia lac aiguebelette on the way to lake Garda and Strasbourg on the way back. Shame to go all that way and go through the mountains in a tunnel though.
If the crowds of Garda get too much this place is a nice escape and a bit of luxury for a day.

Baia delle Sirene è una piccola baia situata a Garda in promissimità della località Punta San Vigilio, Verona. Con una bellissima vista sul lago di Garda, potrai trascorrere del tempo di qualità, relax e divertimento

Baia delle Sirene, Garda, verona

www.baiadellesirene.com

 

[Neuromancer11]

thanks all, lake Constance as come up on an Ai recommendation too so I'll definitely look at that as an option, seems i messed my days up slightly as I've only got three nights on the way back if i get the crossing done on Saturday, kids aren't at school Monday so might have to come back Sunday instead

 

[Neuromancer11]

Lake Garda is beautiful and very popular. You'll be in a fairly built up area that is an absolute traffic nightmare, practically stop and go traffic all day along the lake road and good luck finding any parking. Ideally you'll not be moving the camper while you're there.

D1. Getting back, you could go to Bormio over either Lo Stelvio or Tonnale, the latter being a more relaxing drive than the narrow roads leading to Lo Stelvio. If you go via Tonnale you could still do an excursion up Lo Stelvio from Bormio .

D2. Bormio -> Flüela -> Davos or Klosters
D3. Davos/Klosters -> Walensee -> Interlaken/Lake Thun
D4. Interlaken -> Gruyeres -> Jura -> Pontarlier (F)
D5. Pontarlier -> Calais -> Home

My plan is to largely stay at the Campsite.. 1100 euros for 7 nights i need to get my monies worth lol

unfortunately that itinerary requires to many stops, in in the situation where i have so much stuff in the van (and roof box) i need to expand outside, i.e. putting on a awning rooms and throwing everything in there so i can put the beds down i want to minimize that effort... I also need campsites with kid activities, sadly wonderful historic cities and ADHD/ASD don't work

 

[Neuromancer11]

We did a similar trip a few years ago. Stayed at huttopia lac aiguebelette on the way to lake Garda and Strasbourg on the way back. Shame to go all that way and go through the mountains in a tunnel though.
If the crowds of Garda get too much this place is a nice escape and a bit of luxury for a day.

Baia delle Sirene è una piccola baia situata a Garda in promissimità della località Punta San Vigilio, Verona. Con una bellissima vista sul lago di Garda, potrai trascorrere del tempo di qualità, relax e divertimento

Baia delle Sirene, Garda, verona

www.baiadellesirene.com

looks nice but puts me a bit too far west

 

[Viktorgeorge]

.... Shame to go all that way and go through the mountains in a tunnel though.

Baia delle Sirene è una piccola baia situata a Garda in promissimità della località Punta San Vigilio, Verona. Con una bellissima vista sul lago di Garda, potrai trascorrere del tempo di qualità, relax e divertimento

Baia delle Sirene, Garda, verona

www.baiadellesirene.com

We try to include the Simplon pass in our summertime trips currently, and avoid tunnels. This transforms the journey for us.

There are other Alpine passes too, of course. @Webbah_in_Switzerland has posted previously about the Furka Pass, which we have yet to do but much look forward to possibly next year:

Ideas for this weekend in Switzerland?

Hey all This weekend we’d like to go somewhere in the van, but not a campsite this time. Anyone know some hidden gems you can recommend? Something around 1 hour drive from Zurich is ok, but more if it’s worth it. Cheers Dan

vwcaliforniaclub.com

Parkplatz Tätsch · Unnamed Road, 6491, Realp, Switzerland

âââââ · Car Park

maps.app.goo.gl

 

[Adeline]

We have experienced nightmare campsites by Italian lakes. No boundaries and campsites packed. Double check to make sure you get the space you need without having to eat out of you neighbours’ plates .

 

[Dom1nion]

Hi all, well after the success of my France Trip earlier this year, I'm definitely doing Italy next year (which was our original intended destination this year but didn't work out), I've booked 7 nights with an on pitch ensuite at Camping Fornella at Lake Garda in July.

My plan so far is to get an early Saturday morning crossing (Dover/Calais) and drive down to Troyes staying at Camping Lac De Orient for two nights, then drive to Chamonix and stay in one of the non-pre-bookable campsites down there for another two nights, heading through the tunnel and getting to Lake Garda Wednesday afternoon for the 7 night stop.

I'm looking for recommendations for on the way back for remaining 4 nights, ideally i'll get a late afternoon/early evening crossing on the Saturday, then drive straight up to Leicestershire getting back late(we did this last yeah from Lac De Orient so know its feasible), I'm thinking just 2x two night stop overs to minimise setting up and take downs, need campsites that are kid friendly and have excellent shower facilities, avoiding Aires this time as the wife needs creature comforts Anyone got any good recommendation, or indeed other ideas? was thinking east Switzerland or southern Germany maybe for the first stop, the somewhere further north before the run to Calais, i'd like to squeeze in Stelvio Pass if that lines up too

We stayed near Limone Sul Garda back in June this year, where you can park the van on the shore of the lake. Our trek was a bit more contrived than just a drive there and back, but we tried to keep off the Tolls and many of the major routes where possible and did tunnels and switchbacks aplenty. Natterer See near Innsbruck, is a lovely place to stop over on the way or on the return leg. I blogged the trip if you want a full check on the places we visited and stayed (ignore the heading): https://woodys-wanderings.blogspot.com/2025/04/lets-go-to-ireland.html

 

[Up10]

I'm looking for recommendations for on the way back for remaining 4 nights, ideally i'll get a late afternoon/early evening crossing on the Saturday, then drive straight up to Leicestershire getting back late(we did this last yeah from Lac De Orient so know its feasible), I'm thinking just 2x two night stop overs to minimise setting up and take downs, need campsites that are kid friendly and have excellent shower facilities, avoiding Aires this time as the wife needs creature comforts Anyone got any good recommendation, or indeed other ideas? was thinking east Switzerland or southern Germany maybe for the first stop, the somewhere further north before the run to Calais, i'd like to squeeze in Stelvio Pass if that lines up too

Just south of the Italian Riviera with swimming pool and restaurant on site. Pizzas by the pool too. Small pitches but very friendly and calming between the olive trees. Clean showers and laundry facilities. Tellaro is a lovely walkable village with Apperols to die for. Avoid the hotels at the top end but head left into the main village. Check Google maps to see where I mean.

Campeggio Gianna | Camping Liguria | Tellaro di Lerici

The campsite is located 300 meters from the sea in a quiet position among the olive trees in the magnificent Golfo dei Poeti and a few steps from the Cinque Terre.

www.campeggiogianna.com

 

[Up10]

Alternatively, if you are going via the Brunnen Pass, this is a fabulous, small site within walking distance of the old town of Verona. No pool but a very environmentally maintained site with a fantastic G&T terrace overlooking the town. Small mobile homes and campers only.

Verona City Camping: campsite in the historic center of Verona

www.campingcastelsanpietro.com

 

[willwander]

We have experienced nightmare campsites by Italian lakes. No boundaries and campsites packed. Double check to make sure you get the space you need without having to eat out of you neighbours’ plates .

We’ve only stayed at a few, but the quality was ‘variable’. Avoid the ones with permanent residents. The best sites we stayed at in Italy were all run by Germans.

 

[Caliconfidential]

I used to love France but since travelling to the alps through Germany I would not go back through France. Black Forest especially baden baden is brilliant with fabulous views, cheap beers, good food and fab campsites and park ups.
Also the roads are free and you can fit in a trip to Bruges too.
Enjoy

 

[Neuromancer11]

Campeggio Gianna | Camping Liguria | Tellaro di Lerici

The campsite is located 300 meters from the sea in a quiet position among the olive trees in the magnificent Golfo dei Poeti and a few steps from the Cinque Terre.

www.campeggiogianna.com

Verona City Camping: campsite in the historic center of Verona

www.campingcastelsanpietro.com

those both look like, however unfortunately are in the wrong direct for the trip back, I've decided on Lake Constance for the first two nights of the return trip - just need a site that will allow only two nights in what will be high season.

that just leaves the remaining two nights further north to figure out, i like the idea of driving up through Germany and Belgium, avoiding the French tolls is a bonus! i did query the missus on a trip via the Nürburgring, but was promptly given a "no f*****g way!" lol

 

[Neuromancer11]

We have experienced nightmare campsites by Italian lakes. No boundaries and campsites packed. Double check to make sure you get the space you need without having to eat out of you neighbours’ plates .

did a fair bit of research on Camping Fornella and reviews all seem really positive, there's a few youtube vids too... i booked the largest pitch with private ensuite so should be good space wise, the only downside is the lack of shade on these pitches