Our campsites on Lake Maggiore in Italy

Camping in caravan, tent or camper van in front of the Borromean Islands

In the 15th century, a large part of Lake Maggiore was given in fief to the Borromeo family, a wealthy Italian family. The latter gradually bought all the islands of the small archipelago that stretches out in the waters of the lake. It was therefore renamed the Borromeo Islands. It is composed of 5 islands of which only 3 can be visited: Isola Bella, Isola Madre and Isola dei Pescatori. Isola Bella is entirely occupied by the Borromeo Palace, a perfect example of the Lombard baroque style. The palace and its sumptuous gardens, built in the 17th century, still bear witness to the splendour of an era. Isolda Madre is home to one of the most beautiful botanical gardens in Italy, covering 8 hectares. Isola dei Pescatori, finally, has retained its fishing village atmosphere despite the influx of tourists during the summer. One of the best views of the Borromean Islands can be had from the Mottarone (1491 metres) which stands on the shores of the lake. On the other side of the lake, the summit of Sasso del Ferro (1062 metres) also offers a wide panorama of the region. It can be reached by cable car from Laveno Mombello.

Stresa, the jewel of Lake Maggiore

Facing the Borromean Islands, the town of Stresa nestles on the shores of Lake Maggiore in Italy. This charming town has always attracted artists. Stendhal, Chateaubriand, Dumas, Dickens and Lord Byron spent time here. Hemingway even chose to set a large part of the setting of his novel A Farewell to Arms there. Stresa’s popularity peaked in the early 20th century, as evidenced by the Belle Epoque buildings facing the lake. During your camping holiday on Lake Maggiore, walk in the footsteps of these great writers as you stroll through the streets of Stresa.

Verbiana, the largest town on Lake Maggiore

Verbiana is the largest town on Lake Maggiore. Its district of Pallanza is a popular holiday destination. This district of Roman origin extends over a peninsula. It includes hotels, villas and parks as well as an elegant town hall built in the 19th century and supported by 32 arcades. The lakeside promenade offers beautiful views of the Borromean Islands. Not far away, the Intra district is the medieval centre of Verbiana. Its alleys are lively and contain many shops. Every Saturday morning the largest weekly market on Lake Maggiore is held in Piazza del Mercato and Piazza Don Minzoni. The beautiful park of Villa Taranto forms the border between the two districts. This park, which mixes English and Italian styles, is one of the most important botanical gardens in the world. It covers an area of almost 16 hectares and contains some 20,000 species of plants and flowers.

Cannero Riviera

With its terraced houses, hidden among vineyards, orange and olive trees, above the lake, Cannero Riviera has an idyllic setting. It is no wonder that such illustrious figures as Winston Churchill and Queen Victoria decided to stay here. During your visit to the Cannero Riviera, you will discover elegant villas, but above all a picturesque little port that has retained the charm of the past. Take advantage of your stroll in Cannero Riviera to go for a swim in the waters of Lake Maggiore. Nestled in a cove, the beach of Cannero Riviera is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful beaches on Lake Maggiore.

Cannobio, last stop before Switzerland

Cannobio is the last town on the lake before the Swiss border and is very popular with tourists. However, it wasn’t until the 21st century that this resort town had its heyday. The Romans were already staying here and in the Middle Ages a royal court took up residence here. The city has preserved elegant palaces built between the 17th and 19th centuries, stone testimonies of its glorious past. Its promenade with its old fishermen’s houses is one of the most beautiful on Lake Maggiore. The beautiful Piazza Vittorio Emanuele III, in front of the old port, is one of Cannobio’s most popular places to live.

Our selection of campsites on Lake Maggiore

On the shores of Lake Maggiore, or close to the lake, find our selection of campsites for caravan, tent or motorhome in Italy.

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firenze, city of arts

The biggest problem on your first camping holiday in Tuscany is how to reconcile the desire to take your time and enjoy the gentle way of life that pervades the whole region, strolling through the colourful markets or sipping a glass of chianti in the shade of an olive tree in the cobbled piazza of a medieval village, with the desire to see as much as possible. For a long time now, Tuscany has been a land of artists. And few places in the world can boast such a wealth of masterpieces. Its cities, in particular, contain architectural treasures left over from the great hours of the Middle Ages and especially from the Italian Renaissance. Here, each façade, each fountain or each church is a source of wonder. It must be said that in the 14th and 15th centuries, when Italian art was lighting up Europe, Tuscany was home to, or saw the passing of, all the greatest creators of the time. Sculptors, painters or architects, all seem to have made an appointment to turn the region into a real museum. If all the cities can boast one or more monuments of great beauty, our preference is for Firenze, Pisa or Siena. Firenze is the jewel of the region. The entire city is a veritable museum with some of the most spectacular Renaissance monuments and the world’s finest collection of Renaissance and medieval paintings. Here, the glorious past of the city where the Medici ruled is present at every corner. Its cathedral, with its sumptuous pink, white and green marble façade, is one of the most famous monuments in the country, and the Palazzio Vecchio, the city’s traditional seat of government, offers a glimpse of 14th-century Florentine magnificence. Such a profusion of masterpieces has one unfortunate consequence, however: the influx of tourists from all over the world. For these must-see sites, remember to book your place in advance.

pisa, a leaning city

In Pisa, the Piazza dei Miracoli, dominated by the famous Leaning Tower, has a cathedral (Duomo) which was once the largest in Europe. Its facade, with its green and ivory marble stripes, served as a model for the Romanesque churches of Tuscany. If you look closely at the city, you will be surprised to discover that, although it owes its reputation to its tower, it is the whole city that is leaning. The soil of the city is in fact composed of a mixture of sand and clay which makes it particularly loose. The medieval architects did not take this into account. Thus, without reaching the inclination of the tower, the Duomo or the Palazzo Agostini also lean. So do many of the bell towers in Pisa. But this does not detract from their majesty.

Siena, medieval city famous for its Palio

Siena, on the other hand, is a medieval city where Gothic triumphs over Renaissance art. Its cathedral, in particular, is a jewel of its kind. However, the main interest of the city lies in its maze of cobbled streets and its historic centre, where traffic is prohibited wherever possible. If Siena can be visited at any time of the year with the same pleasure, discovering the city during the Palio, its mythical horse race where the different districts of Siena compete, is a unique experience. For those who are not afraid of crowds!

tuscany, land of good food

Alongside these large towns, Tuscany has a multitude of small towns and medieval villages, often perched on the hills. Although their architectural interest is more or less great, they often have a more authentic charm than the large Tuscan cities. However, towns and villages are only one of the many aspects of Tuscany. You have to leave them to discover the rich countryside where vines and olive trees are grown. For the land is an essential element of Tuscan culture. It is synonymous with good things. The region has 8 DOCG (Denominazione di Origine Controllata e Garantita) wines, including the famous Chianti. But don’t hesitate to move away from these most famous appellations and try some of the less prestigious wines, which hold some tasty surprises, especially off the Etruscan coast, south of Livorno.

Nature tuscany

Because of the exceptional artistic heritage of its cities or the finesse of its agricultural production, we often tend to forget that Tuscany is also a region where nature holds an important place. This small piece of Italy has three national parks: the Parco Nazionale delle Foreste Casentinesi (the largest and best preserved forest in Italy), the Parco Nazionale den Apenino Tocano Emiliano (which encompasses the Apennines) and the Parco Nazionale dell’Arcipelago Toscano, the largest marine park in Italy. According to legend, Venus was born in the latter, throwing jewels into the sea on occasion. These would have become the islands of the archipelago off Piombino, the largest being the island of Elba. He reminds us that Tuscany has a large coastline dotted with Etruscan archaeological sites and seaside resorts where it is good to come and bask in the sun and taste some seafood specialities.

our campsites for caravan, tent or motorhome in Tuscany

We offer you a selection of campsites in Tuscany for your holiday in a caravan, tent or motorhome.

The post Camping in a caravan, tent or motorhome in Tuscany: a certain idea of la Dolce Vita appeared first on Emplacement de camping pour caravanes, tente et camping-car.