By: Lorraine Waddell
With its spectacular mix of beautiful countryside and historical cities, Italy has long been one of the top European holiday destinations. The excellent selection of campsites, usually located near the major cities, beautiful scenery and sights means that camping in Italy offers the best of both worlds – rural seclusion, close proximity to the bustling cities, and easy access to the local attractions for families and couples who camp here.
Deciding to take a camping holiday in Italy is the easy part – choosing between the many highlights of the country is the real challenge. The three main areas for camping in Italy are Tuscany, the Italian Lakes and the Adriatic Coast. Each offers its own unique break, and choosing a destination depends very much on what kind of holiday you want to have – profiled below are the highlights of these three potential choices for a camping holiday in Italy.
Tuscany
The rolling hills of Tuscany, dotted with vineyards and picturesque towns and villages, is one of the most memorable parts of Italy. Campsites are divided between the inland region, the excellent Mediterranean coastline and two of Italy’s most impressive cities, Rome and Florence. This is the perfect choice for people who want to combine cultural tours in the cities as well as the natural beauty of the countryside. Gourmets will also find plenty to enjoy in Tuscany; the wine and cuisine is world renowned.
The Italian Lakes
The Italian Lakes is perhaps the most beautiful region in the country, a series of enormous inland lakes, framed by mountains in the north of Italy. Camping holidays here are especially popular with families looking to relax by the lakes or to enjoy the many watersports including sailing and windsurfing. Lake Maggiore, which extends all the way up to the Alps, is the place of choice for walkers and mountain lovers, while Lake Garda, located at the heart of the country, is the centre of watersports in Italy. If you’d like a taste of city life, chic Milan and romantic Verona are just a short distance away.
The Adriatic Coast
Home to perhaps the finest stretch of coastline in Italy, camping holidays in the Adriatic Coast are the perfect choice for holidaymakers who like their beach holidays. Lido de Jesolo is a lively and popular resort that has the best beaches in the area, and there is one other local highlight that simply can’t be missed – Venice. This spectacular canal city is one of the classic sights of the world, and camping in Italy is the perfect way to visit it on a day trip while avoiding the expense of staying in the city itself.
