Lake Garda - Italy

[murphyslaw]

Looking to drive down with 3 kiddies - yes I know we are mad!!!! Looking for recommendations for accomodation on the lake. Preferably cottage/apartment as most hotels wont take 5 to a room! Also any recommendations for stops enroute from Calais most appreciated. Thanks

murphy, we've booked 4 return seats in august with BA for under £400. is it really worth the drive??

Its not the money so much as we want the flexibility! and the opportunity to see other places enroute

do you not fancy camping? we're in a mobile home with air con on a lovely site in an elevated position, with views across the lake.

oh, ok.

yes - we have looked at that too but are checking out our options!!!! Which site are you staying at? Have you been there before and would you recommend it?

eden. with canvas holidays. havent been before but the customer reviews are fab. its a smallish site with good facilities and great location and childrens clubs ( our dds will be 4 and 6.)

We drove from South Wales to Lake Garda last Easter, had an excellent time, and the drive was all part of the holiday. I have 2 dd's, aged 7 and 10 at the time.

We went on the shuttle - Folkestone - Calais, and had our first overnight stop in Reims (partly because it was convenient, partly because I spent 2 years there as a student and fancied going back). We stayed here, (the review in English is me), and it was great.

On the second night we stayed in Lucerne here, which despite the so-so reviews on the site, we found to be fine for what we needed.

When we got to Lake Garda, we stayed at this campsite through Siblu (we used Tesco clubcard vouchers) - would definately recommend it, and also would recommend booking direct, I haven't checked lately, but when I was looking last year, I think it worked out cheaper. It is a massive site, with everything you will need, but not many British people (you may think this is bad or good!). It is on the shores of the lake, and 15 minutes walk from the nearest town.

We managed a day trip to Venice - about 2 hours on the train (I think), also went to Gardaland for the day, as well as up monte baldo in the cable car.

On the way home, we stayed in a hotel near Mulhouse, and then in Reims again.

As you can tell, we had a fab time, and would heartily recommend it to anyone, as long as your children are good travellers...

We went to Lake Garda last summer and stayed in a two bedroomed air-conditioned apartment on the Bella Italia campsite which is located at the south of the lake in Peschiera. We flew into Brescia and out of Verona airports and hired a car. We travelled pretty much all round the lake and I recommend staying somewhere between Sirmione and Torri del Benaco. IMO the west coast isn't so scenic and the east coast has more going on for families although, bear in mind, it is much busier. The towns of Garda, Lazise, Sirmione and Torri del Benaco are gorgeous. In order to take the cable car trip up Monte Baldo we also stayed one night in the Hotel Capri in the mountainous resort of Malcesine at the north east of the lake. Have a look at Venere for a selcetion of hotels.

We stayed at Eden with Canvas in 2004 when DCs were 3 and 5. We enjoyed it but site is very steep; not suitable for them to ride their bikes. They also really missed sandy beaches so with hindsight would have gone to the venetian riviera. We drove down and stopped in a hotel in Switzerland. Journey was fab.

Oops crossed posts with emsiewill. It seems we both stayed at the same campsite. We did book direct via the Bella Italia website.

Lots of good sites on the lake, static caravans and bungalows. Bargains canbe had booking direct with parks.

Take your pick Tip- cut and paste the name of the sites you like the look of on that site into google to find the camp sites own website, the link on that website is just to the same one??

Thanks everyone - have just booked Eden Park - looks lovely just sorting out stops enroute now!

ohnoherewego, did you see my post about our forthcoming holiday at the eden campsite? please tell me some good things about the site we are not worried about the sandy beaches, tbh.

bumping for any more from anyone.

We're thinking of either Bella Italia or the Del Garda site. I'm only concerned about the reputation for being "busy" on that side of the lake.

You people who have been to Bella italia - did you stay in the mobile homes or the bungalows when you booked direct. I can't find anything on the website about what they look like / difference in faciliies, and to be honest, I want the more attractive one for when I sit outside with my book and a glass of wine. Any thoughts???

Sod it we've booked Del Garda!!! And a week in Tuscany. The deed is done. Sooooooooooooo excited.