Back in early 2020, I was attempting to arrange a Eurocamp trip to one of the Italian sites but news of something called Covid-19 started to swirl.
Thinking we'd better avoid Italy and head to Spain, it was all booked in for May that year. You don’t need me to tell you what happened next.
One pandemic and another baby later, and here we are in the summer of 2024 when we finally made it on our Italian Eurocamp trip to the five-star Bella Italia in Peschiera, Lake Garda.
The Cheshire-based company specialises in outdoor holidays across Continental Europe, with more than 400 parks in locations from northern France to the glittering beaches of Croatia.
Bella Italia is a vast site that attracts visitors from across Europe, the English were definitely in the minority but that just adds to its charm. Yes, it was busy but it was well-run, spotlessly clean, had a great atmosphere, and the location – next level.
The first night we arrived, late and hungry, our only option was the pizza menu (37 choices, I counted) in La Terrazze. A matter of minutes in Italy, and already one of the best pizzas I’ve ever had.
The Corte Riga restaurant is also excellent and located in an ancient courtyard, with a vast menu to suit all tastes.
One night, the extensive entertainment programme featured fireworks over Lake Garda which was a stunning spectacle.
There are also shows, a cute amusement park where rides and games for little ones cost one euro each, football sessions and aqua aerobics to name a few.
The site has direct access to the lakeside beach, where you can enjoy parasailing, para-flying and pedalos with slides.
We stayed in a three-bedroom premium holiday home that sleeps six people with much-needed air conditioning and outdoor lounge decking to relax on after a busy day exploring.
I’m one of those holidaymakers who cannot help but devour TripAdvisor reviews and join resort Facebook groups ahead of my jaunt.
A few gripes included long queues at check-in but our arrival time of around 9pm on a Wednesday seemed to work in our favour as it was seamless, although I spotted long queues in the daytime.
Another complaint was a mad dash for sun loungers around the pools when they opened in the morning and lifeguards removing towels if they were unoccupied for an amount of time.
But, again, not a problem for us as it wasn’t exactly a lounging kind of holiday – not with a six-year-old and two-year-old in tow.
We did spend a couple of afternoons in the pools – of which there are several vast, shallow ones with slides that the eldest loved, plus a quieter pool and one for swimming in (as long as you’re wearing a cap).
But there was just so much to see and do, we spent so much time out and about. It was nigh on impossible to fit everything in, in a week, but we had a pretty good go.
Peschiera del Garda
The town centre is about a 15/20 minute walk from the Bella Italia site along a path by the lake and taking in dramatic mountain views. We did that walk, a lot, and I never got bored of it. The pretty town is well-stocked with restaurants, some overlooking the lake like the floating La Zattera which had beautiful views.
But the stand-out restaurant was Pasta Salame, an authentic shop and delicatessen that also serves as an eaterie with al fresco tables set in a small Italian square and ‘the best tortellini’ my husband has ever had. My lasagne and the kids’ carbonara were also beautiful. Safe to say I won’t be bothering with pizza and pasta back home for a while, certainly not until the tastebud memories have faded.
Sirimione
The town of Sirmione is known for its thermal baths and medieval castle overlooking the lake and where my children got their hands on the biggest and tastiest ice creams they have ever encountered.
We hired bikes from Bella Italia and it was a glorious way to travel from Peschiera del Garda to Sirmione, taking about 90 minutes as we meandered and enjoyed stop-offs. The road network is fabulously set up for cyclists, and even I coped fine with cycling on the right side while the children were content in their trailer being towed by their dad.
The picturesque old town is surrounded by vineyards and, as you step inside, you enter through a castle fortress to be greeted by a bustling commune with cafes, restaurants, bars and boutiques.
We hopped on a boat (30 euro for four of us) for a beautiful 25-minute sail around the island, then caught a quick land train that took us down to Jamaica Beach which had loungers, a DJ, and a real beach holiday vibe. Just don’t forget your water shoes as it’s even rockier than most of Lake Garda’s beaches.
Verona
From the heart of Peschiera del Garda, the train station is about another 10-minute walk away. Once you get your head around the different train providers and which to catch, the journey to Verona is quick and easy on a comfortable, double-decker train.
And, wow, Verona – William Shakespeare’s so-called City of Love – does not disappoint. We hailed a cab outside the train station and emerged a short distance away at the incredible and imposing Verona Arena - a Roman amphitheatre in Piazza Bra built in 30 AD.
VIDEO: Verona/ Jamaica Beach in Sirmione/ Peschiera del Garda/ Fireworks at Bella Italia
We took in a quick history lesson via the information boards as we entered the spectacular structure, my six-year-old whooping ‘The Gladiator’ in delight as we tried to conjure up unimaginable times when folk flocked to witness grisly battles and hunts of exotic beasts.
Then we wandered around the city, took in Juliet’s balcony, the kids ate some more ice cream, we enjoyed some cocktails in the shade as the Adige River flowed and the intense Italian summer heat of 30-odd degrees shone down.
While scholars insist Shakespeare never actually visited Verona, I’m so glad we did.
Milan
The train from Peschiera del Garda took an hour and 40 minutes to Milano Centrale Station. Holidaying with a football-mad lad, we hopped on two trams to the San Siro Stadium – home to AC Milan and Inter Milan.
We explored the museum, stadium and grounds and this was my son’s favourite part of the whole holiday. Like I said, football mad.
Back into Milan and it was just as grand as you would expect and hope. Stunning buildings loom down on you and shops you could only dream of shopping in gleam in rows.
In the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, a lavish shopping arcade with the likes of Prada and Moncler, is the Legend of the Milan Bull.
The story goes, if you spin around three times with your heel on – ahem! – a particular part of the bull between its two hind legs, it will bring you good fortune. (I’m still waiting…)
Gardaland Theme Park
Got any Peppa Pig fans or thrill-seekers in your party? Then I’d highly recommend visiting Gardaland - Italy’s huge theme park visited by three million visitors every year.
My two-year-old was delighted by Peppa Pig Land and its handful of rides that are perfect for little ones.
It has everything you would want from a theme park – and more. Thrilling rollercoasters galore such as The Raptor, a Looney Tunes 4D cinema, play parks, tasty grub in the Kung Fu Panda-themed area. Oh, and cocktails on tap.
New for this season is the ride, Wolf Legend. Visitors are summoned to challenge the dizzy heights by performing a daring ritual: throwing themselves into the jaws of the stone animal to break the curse that imprisons it.
There are about a thousand more words I could write about this trip, but I’m off to see which Eurocamp site to visit next.
Price example (as of 5th August):
Thursday 19th September 2024
7 nights - 4 guests Classic 3-bedroom holiday home (sleeps 6) From: £490 per party (saving 19%)
Thursday 19th September 2024
7 nights - 4 guests Premium 2-bedroom holiday home (sleeps 5) From: £578 per party (saving 20%)
Flights from Manchester to Verona
July 24 return July 31
Ryanair Family Plus – total of £730 including 50kg of check-in luggage and pre-booked seats
For more information, visit eurocamp.co.uk/campsites/italy/lake-garda/bella-italia-campsite
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