Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Regional Forums > Europe
Europe Topics specific to Western and Eastern Europe, from UK to the Russian border, and south-east to Turkey.
Photo by Daniel Rintz, Himba children, Namibia

The only impossible journey
is the one
you never begin

Photo by Daniel Rintz,
Himba children, Namibia



Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 6 Jun 2010
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Nottingham, UK.
Posts: 24
Camping in Italy ~ Advice needed!

We are planning to drive down to Italy with our three kids in the Landrover.

The route will be down through France and into the Alps, then down to Tuscany, then north to Lake Como, and back to Nottingham.

Unfortunately because of the kids summer holidays we are restricted to the last week of July and August.

We’ll be camping, but as we’re not sure of the route, we won’t be booking any places to stay in advance.

Do the camp sites get booked up?
Will we end up sleeping in the Landrover?

What is the best camp site directory – Garmin POI’s (like Archies) or websites?

We're looking for small un commercial sites...

Any advice much appreciated ~ Mrs. Nimrod & family ~
__________________


Last edited by David Nimrod; 6 Jun 2010 at 11:52.
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 6 Jun 2010
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Oxford UK
Posts: 2,102
My experience is that the sort of sites the kids would like are the ones that'll be booked up at that time of year. In similar circumstances I've turned up at many sites with the family in tow to be told they're full and after the third or fourth have said the same it can get a bit worrying. Not so much of a problem with the smaller sites away from the main areas but if they're young kids they'll get bored.

Fortunately my kids are a bit older now so all of the above was from pre internet days when a guide book and a map was the best you could hope for. These days I'd suggest trying to keep one site ahead by booking the next one the previous day, or if that's not possible at least trying to ring them ahead of turning up. The calls may be pricey but probably less than the cost of fuel on a wasted journey
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 7 Jun 2010
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Melbourne, Australia
Posts: 198
Hi,

Last year we drove from Brighton to Portugal via Calais, the year before we drove to Cordoba via the Picos de Europe. I have to say we have never booked anything but the ferry, and only been turned away once in France. Both trips where in August, which is peak season.

It is a risk, and judging by the responce above it is a pot luck situation. The good thing is that there are so many campsites it is unbeleivable. You could book into a municiple overnight and arrange another one for the next day as a solution, if it happens to you?

Download the GPS waypoint files for campsites from this forum. It has most sites in it.

Have fun.

Dan
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 7 Jun 2010
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Oxford UK
Posts: 2,102
It does very much depend on where you are. Finding a site through most of France won't be a problem. There are thousands of them and in the non touristy areas there will be plenty of space even in July / Aug. It's the tourist areas that will be packed - ie the Med coast in France and Italy.

Some parts of the Alps also. We have a flat in the French alps, in a popular summer cycling area, with five or six campsites nearby. If there's a cycling event on all of them will be full for a week or so.

I've not stayed at Lake Como but have spent a couple of camping holidays at Lake Maggiore in Aug. We prebooked but site after site in the area had full signs.
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 8 Jun 2010
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: stirling
Posts: 33
Hi...Camping Gran Bosco of Salbertrand in Alta Val di Susa
this is where i,d normaly head for...plenty off room and good facilities.....
We normaly head from calais to a place in france called Dole where you will find a nice campsite next to a river in the town(just follow the signs for camping)this is our halfway mark.....
Then next day head for susa..........
Staying at Gran bosco in the susa valley you will be near a lot off mountain tracks infact they are all around you.....bikers and 4x4ers use this site for that purpose......
if you head into the local supermarket which is turn right out off the campsite and left before you go through the tunnel into a place called oulx i think if memory serves....you can buy a local map(green)which shows the lanes and locations....but be aware some are closed!!!....talk to people in the campsite for up to date info or just tag along with others.....
On these amazing tracks you can camp for free and have big fires... buy a decent alps map that shows the scenic routes and you can do the St Bernards passes ,Val d isere, Another nice place to visit is Zermatt in Switzerland where theirs a nice campsite on the outskirts looking at a glacier....you have to bus into town as no cars aloud....
Theirs a lot off places and passes and cols to visit......im just guessing travelling with kids you,ll be restricted a bit with the miles per day?????
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 9 Jun 2010
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Nottingham, UK.
Posts: 24
camping in Italy...

Thanks to everyone who replied to my question on camping in Italy.

Very helpful and all good advice!

Anyone out there knowledgeable on off roading (4x4) routes in Italy?

It would be good to know some Garmin POI's too!

Many thanks ~ Mrs. Nimrod.
__________________

Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 10 Jun 2010
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: stirling
Posts: 33
Quote:
Originally Posted by David Nimrod View Post
Thanks to everyone who replied to my question on camping in Italy.

Very helpful and all good advice!

Anyone out there knowledgeable on off roading (4x4) routes in Italy?

It would be good to know some Garmin POI's too!

Many thanks ~ Mrs. Nimrod.
Google Translate

Not sure if the link worked?????????
if not try google and tap in Alpenrouten...you,ll have to translate to English unless you speak or understand German....
Go into the reigions section and tap in Italy....
North piedmont and South piedmont and Aosta.......
the site gives you all the info and grades the lanes and passes....
All my tracks are up top in the head....but ive found this site useful from time to time....
stu...Forgot to say......Once youve got the jist off the site and need the full info on a track...r.e..grid refs etc etc....you,ll need to read the site in its mother tongue German...for some reason it wont show in English.....
Reply With Quote
Reply


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
WANTED - Camping Equipment - UK, France or Italy kuntushi TRAVEL Equipment for Sale / Wanted 2 17 Feb 2010 23:38
Advice on Italy trip unionroofer Route Planning 3 1 Jun 2009 09:00
advice needed - fuel needed for stans and mongolia ExtremeGene Equipping the Bike - what's the best gear? 7 12 Nov 2008 12:40
camping in france and italy. futronix Route Planning 2 26 Nov 2003 23:13
Advice? S. Italy,Greece,Turkey, Black Sea MCP Europe 2 12 May 2003 04:06

 
 

Announcements

Thinking about traveling? Not sure about the whole thing? Watch the HU Achievable Dream Video Trailers and then get ALL the information you need to get inspired and learn how to travel anywhere in the world!

Have YOU ever wondered who has ridden around the world? We did too - and now here's the list of Circumnavigators!
Check it out now
, and add your information if we didn't find you.

Next HU Eventscalendar

HU Event and other updates on the HUBB Forum "Traveller's Advisories" thread.
ALL Dates subject to change.

2024:

Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!

Questions about an event? Ask here

HUBBUK: info

See all event details

 
World's most listened to Adventure Motorbike Show!
Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)



Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance.

Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers.

Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.

Ripcord travel protection is now available for ALL nationalities, and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes!


 

What others say about HU...

"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia

"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK

"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia

"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA

"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada

"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa

"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia

"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany

Lots more comments here!



Five books by Graham Field!

Diaries of a compulsive traveller
by Graham Field
Book, eBook, Audiobook

"A compelling, honest, inspiring and entertaining writing style with a built-in feel-good factor" Get them NOW from the authors' website and Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Amazon.co.uk.



Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!

New to Horizons Unlimited?

New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!

Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.

Susan and Grant Johnson Read more about Grant & Susan's story

Membership - help keep us going!

Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.

You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.




All times are GMT +1. The time now is 14:12.