Are eurocamps really that terrible? / Lake Garda in May

[Livingoncaffeine]

Been driving myself mad looking at online reviews of various eurocamps in Lake Garda. They all seem to have pretty terrible reviews and now I’m doubting myself.

We were already thinking of a eurocamp break this year (we have a 3yo and a will be 1yo if relevant) and thought Lake Garda would be ideal. I’d been doing lots of research when the Sun holidays offer came up. I had a little browse and was surprised to find some of the campsites on there.

Our favourite so far is Camp Butterfly and is £159 for 7 nights.

Now I know for that price we can’t expect much, but will it really be that terrible?

I am now re-reading all the different campsite reviews over and over again but not getting very far as they’re all pretty rubbish.

Should we just forget eurocamp and look elsewhere? We really can’t afford anything fancy!

Also, is there much to do in Lake Garda in May with a 1yo and 3yo??

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If you’re short on time, here’s a summary of the best Eurocamp sites Mumsnetters are recommending on this thread:

😎Altomincio Family Park, Lake Garda, Italy

😎Bella Italia, Lake Garda, Italy

😎Del Garda Village and Camping

😎Campeggio Europa Silvella

😎Camping Village Riva Blu

For more inspo, check out our guides to the best Eurocamp sites for families, the best Eurocamp sites in France, the best Eurocamp sites in Italy and the best Eurocamp sites in Spain.

MNHQ

You'll have a fab time! Ignore the reviews. You can get the train to Verona for the day, it only takes around 15 mins. The train or boat trips would be fun for the LO. Great food and wine for half nothing everywhere and they LOVE kids. You can't go wrong, especially at that price. We went in July/August and it was too hot and too busy. I'd go back in May or June.

With bad reviews too, look at what the reviewer is complaining about - often it's stuff that will be irrelevant to you. Someone will be complaining because it rained the week they went, another will be because their DC was ill, another because the people in the next door caravan were noisy, etc.

Not been to Italy ones but we did them years ago and loved it. Sometimes it's cheaper to book directly through the campsite so check that first before booking. I'd happily book to use them again.

Lake Garda in may won't be very warm. It's mountainous and in the north of Italy. It's lovely but maybe not for camping

Maybe we got lucky as every time we have been end of May it's been boiling and we were all swimming in the lake. Butterfly campsite will be great am sure, location is perfect.

@garlictwist we’re not fussed about it being hot, won’t exactly be sunbathing with a 1yo and 4yo anyway, And staying in a caravan. We will pack waterproofs just in case!

@mirmc It’s the food and drink I’m most excited about to be honest! And yes think we will plan a few day trips.

Love eurocamp! Always have a great time.

Also been to northern Italy a few
Times in may and always been good weather

We stayed at Bella Italia in April 2013 with a 1yo and 4 yo. It was our first caravan holiday (with Keycamp at the time). Didn't hire a car either.

We were very unlucky with the weather as it was freezing, like winter basically (think hat, scarf and gloves cold). But we still had a good time. Went to Verona for the day and did a pedalo ride on the lake too.

OP have you already booked your flights yet?

@Meredusoleil not yet!

Bookmarking!

@Livingoncaffeine

mominitaly.com/lake-garda-with-kids/
This may help. We lived south of garda and got married end of May near there, it was 30 degrees. Absolutely my fave place on earth.

@Livingoncaffeine can I ask...how was it?! We're hoping to go to Bella Italia soon ...

I like Eurocamp as a holiday with small children. My only grumble would be the on-site food, which was awful in every one I’ve been to- really weird to be somewhere where the food generally is so great and be serving up frozen pizzas etc. So I’d always leave the site to eat or cook for yourselves.

Did you go @Livingoncaffeine? how was it?

This might help those making plans. I follow on SM, the family have made a recent trip and written a review.
https://www.northeastfamilyfun.co.uk/2024/06/del-garda-village-and-camping-lake.html

Bella Italia Is fantastic and Peschiera del Garda is just lovely. So easy to visit Verona, Milan, Sirmione & other lake towns etc. Gardaland is great fun if you like theme parks & the most gorgeous restaurant just a short walk away (Vecchio Mulino Beach - make a reservation though)

Just seen some new comments on this which was my original thread so just thought I’d update. We went to Lake Garda in May staying on one of the Sun holiday deals and we had the best time. Weather wasn’t great but we couldn’t have been more impressed with Eurocamp. We are now Eurocamp converts and eagerly planning more trips, and we’ll definitely be going back to Lake Garda too as was brilliant for a family holiday (two children aged one and four).

Glad to hear you had such a wonderful time OP! Thanks for the update.

The lakes will be freezing in May

Lakes are ajways freezing but ok in hot summer weather

Would it be. Nice in in October?!

We stayed at Butterfly last September. Had some fab food in the restaurant and a lovely time generally. Migross supermarket is great, book the best caravan you can, by end of season the basic one was a bit battered (although a lot of them had damage from that hail storm last year so hopefully they have been fixed) DD4 keeps asking when can we go back!

Thanks Klingfilm - we need sun! And we’re concerned that Spain etc would be TOO hot. Of course mates went to lake guards and raved about it 😁

@Moommoo
Depends on when in October . We visited Peschiera in October half term once and whilst it was fairly pleasant in the day time, it was pretty cold in the evening/ early morning . A lot colder than I had expected.

In terms of Spain, I've been to both Barcelona area (Sitges) and Malaga area (Nerja) at October half term and it was very nice - a bit cloudy at times but not what I would consider too hot at all . When I've been early October it was a lot warmer though .