Italy Under Canvas | Print |
Written by Antonio Violante   
Saturday, 06 October 2012 20:24

As European holiday destinations go, Italy is not known as a cheap country, which is perhaps why it escapes the attention of many families. The cost of flights, accommodation and the perceived high expense of eating out in Italy can put off visitors from elsewhere in Europe, particularly Brits.  But it can also apply to Americans or Canadians as well.

However, a family break in Italy should be within reach of the average family, particularly if you take a different approach to its planning and execution. By swapping hotels for tents or caravans and ditching flights to travel across land or by Ferry, you can save yourself a great deal of cash and take in a lot of beautiful countryside en route. Of course, for a trip under canvas the weather becomes even more important. Luckily, there are many warmer months in Italy than in some other countries in Europe, with May through to September typically enjoying temperatures in the mid to late twenties.

a campground in Italy in the Dolomites regionAlthough sunshine is by no means guaranteed, the country definitely has a good track record. With so much to do and explore there’s plenty to entertain all of the family even if you are unlucky enough to suffer a break in the sunshine. One of the main advantages of opting out of the traditional package holiday and into a camping in Italy experience is that you can set your own agenda – this means keeping a tight grasp on your food spending if you need to and scheduling as many free or paid for activities as you like. Many of the campsites are designed with this in mind and therefore come complete with facilities you’d usually only associate with family apartment complexes, such as swimming pools, gyms and play areas.

If you typically enjoy the organized and comfortable feel of a package holiday, this needn’t be sacrificed just because you choose to stay in a tent, caravan or chalet. Some of the leading campsite providers allow you to book your holiday in much the same way as the traditional package holiday by paying for your ferry crossing, accommodation and insurance all in one place. This means you can save time as well as cash. Finally, if it’s a romantic break you are after rather than a family adventure holiday that needn’t rule out camping either. After all, is there anything more romantic than cozying up under the stars?

I don’t think so!