A holiday for families in Italy
Italy is one of Europe’s top destinations. Visitors fall in love with the history, lifestyle, people and the unforgettable food. The desire to dip into the dolce vita; to feel and live like a local brings people back year on year. My question to you is; have you ever wondered where Italians go on holiday? You might be surprised to know that one of the best loved breaks for Italian families is camping! I am going to tell you all about it because I think it is a real gem. Italians have refined the art of camping and added their signature dash of the dolce vita!
3 day, 2 Nights
2300km
3 Countries
I started to holiday like an Italian
If you are one of the many millions of people who visit Rome each year, you will no doubt recall the vibrant nightlife, the vocal locals and the buzzing vespas. But, if you visit during August time, you will paint a different picture of the city. You will find eerily quiet streets, few locals and traffic. This is because the 15th August is a worker’s bank holiday and many businesses and offices will close the two weeks each side of this date. Romans leave the city heat behind and head off on their holidays. Family run shops shut, metal shutters tightly are closed and the sun bounces from the solemn marble sculptures. The city is left in the custody of tourists. And where are they? Many Italians will take their holiday within Italy at camping sites. Renting a caravan or tent and enjoying the fun and relaxation of ‘campeggio’.
My Italian partner and I started a family in 2019 and since having children, our holiday preferences have become more focused around the kids. When they are happy, it is easier for us parents to relax. With young children, we crave a holiday where time to go as slowly as possible. Many friends take their annual holiday at campeggio so decided to give it a try too. We embarked on our first campeggio!
It is clear to see why Italian families return to camping each year. They are built around simplicity and relaxation with the added bonus of good food and some luxury.
What do you get with Campeggio?
Firstly, to make it easier for you, there is a huge variety of parks to choose from as well as accomodation to stay in. There really is something for everyone.
The sites are usually well equipped with swimming pools, family pools and even private beaches. There will be play parks and usually a piazza for entertainment and music. There will be restaurants, bars and coffee shops with a range of meals and refreshments served throughout the day.
We stayed in a fixed caravan, also know in Italian as a roulotte. This accommodation is bright and clean. Inside, the beds were comfortable, an en-suite bathroom with reliant hot water. The kitchen area was perfect for the option of self-catering and a table that was comfortable. Outside, we had a private decking area and a handy veranda to offer shade during those hot afternoons. The outdoor table on the balcony was the most used part of the caravan. It was cool and relaxing for our lunch and playing card games to the tune of the summer cicadas.
How we spend a day at Campeggio
Itinerary of one day :
After breakfast, we slip on our swimwear and flip flops and head to the pool or to the beach. The kids splash around in the family pool and create games and share toys with other families. In Italian culture, children are very socialable and in public areas, they will freely play and share with other children in the space.
Be aware of the Italian rules for swimming pools as a swim cap is usually mandatory for anyone who enters the pool. These caps don’t need to be the tight rubber kind, but a soft swimming cap especially made. They are sold in any sport shop in Italy and are used to prodect the pool from loose hair.
After the kids are worn out, we wander back to the caravan for a lunch of seasonal ingredients like, tomatoes and olive oil, mozzerella, fresh bread and pasta al sugo. Then, importantly some down time to digest and think and do nothing in the shade! Perfect. Late afternoon, as the heat of the sun starts to cool a little you can start your day again. This time, maybe the park, visit a local town, a bike ride? The afternoon is a busy time. Italian shops will often re-open at 16.00 and people restart their activities into the evening. The aperitivo comes after 1800 when you start to feel a bit of hunger creeping in. An aperitvo at the bar is considered a family time and children will be more than welcome. After 19.30 it is dinnertime. A time to spend together around the table, taking your time and enjoying your food. My 3 year old’s favourite dish is spaghetti alle vongole. Anytime we went to the restaurant, my children would run to the kitchen window to see the fresh fish laying on the ice. But the evening doesn’t need to end there. After dinner we wander to the Piazza where people gather to see the entertainment. At out camping in Orbetello, an hour of children’s entertainment started at 21,00. The kids loved this appointment!
This time is just right for a relaxing family holiday. There is just enough entertainment to really slow down, forget about work and reconnect as a family.
How to choose a location
Choosing the general location first gives you more options on how you are going to travel and what experiences you will get out of your trip. Some camp sites are located in the mountains, providing access to walking and biking activities. Others are near beaches and will give you the choice of water sports, fishing villages and ports. Then chose your site. Look at different amenities and activities that best suit your needs. Look for parks that are located near major train hubs that are either connected directly of that have car rental near by.