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Original poster

Norcenni Girasole eurocamp

19 replies

PeacheyPeach · 08/06/2022 16:30

Has anyone been to this site in Italy?
Would you recommend it for family with little ones and teenagers? Do you need a car , are the pools cold?

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Original poster
PeacheyPeach · 10/06/2022 18:49

Hopeful bump !!!

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Eek3under3 · 10/06/2022 18:51

I would post on the eurocamp facebook group :). It’s called eurocamp unofficial supporters club, you will get more responses there!

willstarttomorrow · 10/06/2022 20:41

We have been twice. The first time DC was 8 and made a while gang of friends. We also went when she was 14 and had a good time. There are 2 pool complexes. I do not think they are heated but not an issue as both times we stayed were in August. We did it without a car, taking the train from Pisa via Florence. You are better off with a car though if you want days out independently because there is nothing in walking distance and you would be reliant on the camp transport to the local town/station (which was not running due to covid the last time we stayed- not sure if it has been reinstated) or taxis.

The first time we booked loads of excursions via the camp which were good and allowed plenty of independent time to Rome, Sienna, Florence and some activities. We also stayed in Pisa first so travelled from there to some other places really easily. Again I am not sure if these have returned following covid but the company has it's own website (and direct accomodation) you can check through. We found it a really easy holiday and it was nice not to drive.

There is a lot happening on site, it is quite a large scampite but spread out and I did not feel crowded. It depends on how much you want to get involved with activities- lots of people use it as a base for local touring whilst many families stay on site more and use the kids clubs etc. It is a great central base in Tuscany with a car. The views are wonderful and there is a lovely relaxed atmosphere. There is a decent supermarket on although it is cheaper to stock up at the lidl in town if you can. Also many restaurants on site.

We did not use Eurocamp. We stayed with Venue holidays the first time in a mobile home and Canvas in an amazing lodge tent (loo and bathroom- lots of space) the second time. There are lots of companies on site so maybe check through the Allcamps website for your dates for a comparison. Eurocamp tends to be more expensive although European companies tend not to include a final clean so just be clear when you are booking. You can find maps of the site online showing where the accommodation is for each company.

We preferred the 'bottom' end with the big pools although families with young children tend to opt for the 'top' with the lagoon pools. A road train does link them though so easy to spend time between the 2. It also is perfectly possible to walk up/down between both via the sports courts - reviews suggest it is like the Alps. It is certainly hilly but doable a a steady pace. Hope this helps!

Benjaminsniddlegrass · 10/06/2022 21:01

I went a few years ago with DD2 at the time, was beautiful, we really enjoyed it. I would highly recommend a car, so many beautiful towns to explore but would definitely need a car. Nice big pools but there was also a little pool for smaller kids and if I remember rightly there was a park for younger kids rather fortuitously placed by the bar.

Original poster
PeacheyPeach · 10/06/2022 22:14

@willstarttomorrow wow thank you for all your info that's very helpful 😊
@Benjaminsniddlegrass thank you also 😀 how did you find Italian roads when driving? I'm a bit of a nervous passenger!!

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thefirstfortyeight · 10/06/2022 22:17

I preferred the top lagoon pool (had teens!)

We booked directly with the site.

The roads were fine and driving was easy.

Wandering around the site in the evening was magical 😊

Benjaminsniddlegrass · 11/06/2022 00:17

My DH did the driving tbf as I was still in major sleep deprivation mode, but it's not that bad at all, I don't like steep drops on roads, in Montenegro I had to basically close my eyes whenever we drove anywhere but I was fine there, didn't find the Italian drivers too insane.

Original poster
PeacheyPeach · 11/06/2022 19:27

@thefirstfortyeight was there many places to eat in the evening?

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thefirstfortyeight · 11/06/2022 20:11

From memory (it was a few years back) there was a restaurant at the top bit by the pool and two by the bottom pool plus a pizza place there. My partner is Italian and was prepared to be disappointed with food but was really pleasantly surprised. We ate out a few times, had takeaway pizza a couple of times and also ate in - you could get cooked chicken, salad, bread etc in the shop.

Original poster
PeacheyPeach · 11/06/2022 20:33

@thefirstfortyeight fab thank you xxx

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Madamecastafiore · 11/06/2022 21:00

What's the accommodation like? My husband just raised his eyebrows when I showed him the website. I think the kids would love it!

ElderflowerAccordian · 11/06/2022 21:07

I worked here as a rep (for canvas though). It’s a lovely site. Very hilly although maybe I just remember that because our live area was down a hill.

pools aren’t cold from what I remember. Bars are nice, pool bar serves food which is nice. 3 restaurants onsite, all very good food.

you need a car if you want to venture out on your own although they do organise trips door to door (sienna and Rome I think). Taxis were fairly cheep though but this was 12 years ago. Florence is easy to get to by train.

it’s big enough and has enough facilities to suit all. Im
sure there’s other things but I can’t quite remember

Original poster
PeacheyPeach · 17/06/2022 16:19

@ElderflowerAccordian thank you for your insider info!!
I know a lot of places in Italy have the swimming cap rule does it apply here?

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Summerwhereareyou · 17/06/2022 16:53

Euro camp is an operator with caravans not often2rhe xaxuowing the whole site

Summerwhereareyou · 17/06/2022 16:54

Sorry, often the actual site owner's uabe Bette acdmd.

Once in France I was astonished at how eurocamp, has crammed 8n their Caravan compared to the site operator

ElderflowerAccordian · 17/06/2022 17:49

PeacheyPeach · 17/06/2022 16:19

@ElderflowerAccordian thank you for your insider info!!
I know a lot of places in Italy have the swimming cap rule does it apply here?

No it didn’t but again that was 12 years ago.

willstarttomorrow · 17/06/2022 23:24

@PeacheyPeach no swimming cap rule last time we were there in 2020.

willstarttomorrow · 17/06/2022 23:36

@Madamecastafiore there are loads of accommodation options through various companies. Use allcamps with your dates and various options will come up. Some of the European companies offer more luxury (eg a dishwasher) but usually charge more for cleaning. We stayed in a lodge tent through Canvas in 2020 (v cheap as covid times). It had a bathroom and kitchen and was more spacious than a static caravan. There is no air conditioning but it really was not needed because it was in a shaded part of the site, it was actually quite cold at night. We have stayed before in a caravan and much preferred this option- it felt more restful for some reason! It is an amazing place for children which makes a happy holiday for adults.

Original poster
PeacheyPeach · 18/06/2022 19:22

@willstarttomorrow did the lodge tent have showers , proper beds?

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