In the Papers

The Italian lakes are a picture perfect setting for a family holiday, but what is it like to spend a week on a campsite by the shores of Lake Garda? Greg Nixon and his family find out.

From the spectacular flight over the Swiss Alps to the breathtaking beauty of Italy, there really can be no better place than Lake Garda for a break.

The perfect weather only added to the enjoyment of what was a peaceful and relaxing week away from the hustle and bustle of life back home.

Our base for the next seven days was Garda Bella Italia, a vast campsite nestling on the shore of this most spectacular of lakes. Not just any old campsite, but one, which caters for thousands of tourists from around Europe. Some drive in, others fly and take the three-hour bus journey from Brescia or the train. Either way, the journey is well worth it.

Several companies operate from the site, including Eurocamp, which had provided us with our accommodation during our stay. Whereas many choose to pitch a tent – some of them vast mansions – or stay in mobile homes, our home was a static caravan. There are many different types, and we were given the Venezia.

The accommodation cannot be faulted. There is a wooden veranda to barbeque meals on and a welcome pack is provided which includes essentials such as cooking oil, washing up liquid and even a bottle of red wine, all of which keep you going until you have time to visit the camp store. Inside the caravan, the seating can be opened up to provide extra bedspace, but the bedrooms themselves are ample for a family of three, with plenty of storage.

What really does set this kind of holiday apart from any other camping trip you may have been on is the quality of the Eurocamp staff. Easily recognisable in their red and green uniforms, they are always on hand. From making sure the accommodation is up to scratch – it is spotless on arrival – to helping recharge lifeless MP3 players, there isn’t much they won’t do to make your stay as comfortable and enjoyable as it can be.

As for the campsite itself, I doubt there are many more in Europe with a more picturesque setting. Sitting on the banks of the lake, the walk down to the pebbled shore is breathtaking as the path opens up and Garda is revealed in all its glory. Campers from all over Europe come together in a show of united camaraderie, from sharing tips on lighting barbeques to handing over any left over food at the end of their stay. There is a wonderful atmosphere of friendliness that transcends any language or cultural barriers and really does enhance the holiday spirit. There is an ice cream parlour serving up a myriad of flavours as well as a bar which seems to show sport almost 24 hours a day and has the most wonderful chilled Italian beers on tap.

It seems churlish to find fault when the family had such a wonderful time, but the camp store was a little bit of a disappointment. Although well stocked for the best part of the week, it tended to cater more for its German visitors, even to the detriment of Italian cuisine.

There are a number of restaurants on site, but by far the most pleasant is La Terrazza, which overlooks the lake. The menu is accessible, the staff friendly and fluent in English and they have an attitude towards, and a knack of dealing with children that, to be honest, puts us Brits to shame.

During the day, there are five pools to keep everyone entertained, with slides and – most importantly for those with children – lifeguards on patrol.

In the evening, there is the constant, smell of barbeque smoke drifting across the camp and, after a meal, there is entertainment for the children in the pool area. While we were there, this consisted of a strange woman in a blonde curly wig miming to Italian and German pop songs, but scenery for other shows was being prepared during the day, no doubt for later in the season.

Then lake itself is crystal clear, its icy waters lapping the shore as fish weave in and out of the shallows. The locals promenade by its side, family groups spanning generations carrying out a tradition that has probably gone on for centuries.

The path takes you into Peschiera, a 20-minute walk from the camp. What was once a Bronze Age village has grown into a picturesque town, typically Italian and shaped by years of culture and conflict.

From the Roman ruins to the walls of the Venetian fort, cafes and restaurants line the side of the lake’s tributaries, while the locals punt or row their boats in and out of the harbour.

Gardaland is just outside the town, a haven for those with older children, especially if the weather takes a turn for the worse. It boasts roller coasters, shows, pirates and even dolphins. Further along the lake is Movieland Studios, a kind of Italian take on Florida’s Universal Studios, with thrill rides, children’s entertainment and Hollywood fun. Both parks are easily accessible by bus from Peschiera.

Forget any preconceptions you may have of holidaying by a lake rather than by the sea, and of taking your break on a campsite.

Erase those memories of caravan holidays in Wales when the rain lashed down for a week and the fog hid the sea.

Yes the scampering birds still wake you as they tap-dance across the roof at the break of dawn, and yes, it can still be quite a basic holiday.

But our week proved, if nothing else, that a Eurocamp holiday has everything a young family could wish for.