My driving in Italy story !!!

[BreweryDave]

Anyway, a brief update and an answer to an earlier question, we ventured back on to the motorway today!
Did the A15 from La Spezia up to Parma, before heading off the toll road to Mantova where we are now.

The motorway was....................fab! Hardly any traffic, smooth, wide lanes, and spectacular scenery !!! Mustve just been that coastal bit that was shite
( see pic for today's view from the cab!)

However, there's always a but isn't there
The normal road from Parma to Mantova was, shall we say bumpy? No, that's an understatement. I fully expect my van to completely collapse and desintegrate like one of those cartoon cars any moment !!! There can't be a single bolt left tight
Not even gonna open the cupboards
Can't open a beer either, it'll spray everywhere
Still, suns out and it's hot hot hot
And found a free car park with a free shuttle bus into town every 15 mins, so can't be bad! Gonna freeload tonight

 

[bobandjanie]

Hi Bob and Janie, try Bardolino it's fab, lovely cycle path along the lake to Garda, ACSI sites on the lake front, nice restaurants in Bardolino and boat trips across the lake. We were there last month and really enjoyed it..

View attachment 162809
View from the campsite continental Bardolino
View attachment 162810
Market day at Garda
View attachment 162811
Cycle path around to Bardolino

HI, arrived on site today, nice site but very busy only 2 acsi pitches to choose from, we are up the top near bins bit tight and can't get level but handy for showers toilets and for Janie to do the washing.
Had a nice cycle both ways but became weak at the knees and had to come back for a beer. I would say fun with a tag axle @BreweryDave . Bob.

 

[Badknee]

We took a caravan down to Sicily and back in 2014, never ever will I venture into Italy again. The roads were shite and the drivers were worse. Hated the whole trip with a vengeance.

 

[Mousy]

@bobandjanie which site are you on? There are a few lake side.

 

[bobandjanie]

@bobandjanie which site are you on? There are a few lake side.

La Rocca it's in a nice location but the acsi pitches are the first 4 rows from the road and full, the girl in reception said she has never known it so busy at this time of year, it seems everyone is going to lake garda. Bob

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[BreweryDave]

La Rocca it's in a nice location but the acsi pitches are the first 4 rows from the road and full, the girl in reception said she has never known it so busy at this time of year, it seems everyone is going to lake garda. Bob

Haha, that's cos they heard we woz cumin !!!
Arriving on Butterfly soony- glad I emailed ahead and booked !!!

 

[Mousy]

We looked at the Rocca site it was busy when we were there but it was easter.

Butterfly was packed and they sent us next door to a huge site, nice big (for Italy) pitches but full of noisy Italians...it was like being in the godfather but with plastic chairs and tablecloths.

We caught the train to Verona, nice and easy about €5, good day out.

 

[Clive and Kerri]

That must of hurt no being able to open a beer

 

[BreweryDave]

Just landed on Butterfly, big pitch (48) right opposite the pool and the bar - happy man !

 

[buttons]

You should try crossing Milan during the Friday evening rush hour. Not for the faint hearted either.

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[Clive and Kerri]

Having spent many many weeks working in Milan the whole place is not for the faint hearted

 

[TerryL]

Only been to Milan once, with a coach. Early afternoon we were parked up with around 100 other coaches in a nice open area in the centre, although not an official parking place. However we were not obstructing anybody despite being double and triple parked, just moved when someone needed out.

Then the local police chief, with all the gold braid and scrambled egg, turned up. Told us all to b----r off.

The next two hours were absolute bedlam in the already crowded city as 100 coaches all drove round and round trying to find somewhere to park, completely blocking up the road system!

Happy days!

 

[bobandjanie]

Well we left lake garda @BreweryDave Dave and Jackie and saw this truck, and thought well.....if he has not got milk on board he might have wine. so followed him and we are now in Croatia 28c and the sea is warm. Bob and Janie.

 

[BreweryDave]

Can't say we love Butterfly, bit like butlins too many holiday chalets and kids, and not really set up for touring vans Imho.
Town is good tho! Gonna hire a speedboat on the lake tomorrow !!!

Heading up to Malcesine on Friday ( ) and just might do the paragliding from the top of the mountain

Then it's north to Austria

 

[Drexxer]

Mount Boldo views are stunning!, as is Malcesine

We got married in the castle there, look forward to some pics

Andy

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[bobandjanie]

Janie is always saying she wants to do paragliding her 3.9m kite use to scare her at times.
Yes know what you mean about the site, a week was enough for us, but we enjoyed it and the staff are very friendly, might have seen the funster sticker and flagged up @hilldweller only joking Brian.
Safe travels might bump into you when get back in July. Bob.

 

[lindylou]

Well we left lake garda @BreweryDave Dave and Jackie and saw this truck, and thought well.....if he has not got milk on board he might have wine. so followed him and we are now in Croatia 28c and the sea is warm. Bob and Janie.View attachment 163455

Where in Croatia ? Any recommendations, we are in Slovenia at Ankaran and heading that way soon.

 

[stephsol]

Hmm, going to Italy for a few months in September, this topic has made me glad I've planned to enter via Switzerland. I hope it's not quite do mad.? Will be doing the boot so I'll have to deal with it sometime!