After arriving at Milan’s Malpensa Airport on the 9th June, we took a taxi to the nearby Indie Camper van depot to collect a VW California Camper. This van would be our home on wheels for the next nine days to travel around the lakes on the southern side of the Alps in northern Italy. Milan, we had visited before, so instead, we headed north to Lake Maggiore, only 25km away.

Map Northern Italy.

The van had an electric pop-up roof with a comfy double beds upstairs and downstairs, a kitchen with gas stove, sink and excellent fridge. It also had an outside shower, porta potty loo, chairs, table and came kitted out with linen, cutlery and crockery, pots and pans. Our first night was spent at the Smeralda campsite on the southern shore of Lake Maggiore.

Waking up at Lake Maggiore.

Annie having breakfast.

This automatic transmission van drives like a car and was the right choice for the narrow winding roads on the mountain sides surrounding the lake. Italian drivers are known for their racing skills, following in the footsteps of Emerson Fittipaldi, which made some of the hairpin bends exciting, with these fellows sharing the road.

Western shore of Lake Maggiore.

One of the villas next to the road.

Park4night is a handy app to locate campsites and free camping areas in Europe, so we used the app extensively to alternate between paying campsites and free parking sites, thereby halving our camping costs.

Our first Park4night free parking spot.

Driving up the western side of the lake to the top at Locarno, which is actually in Switzerland, we went through stunning villages against the mountainsides next to the lake. The Swiss villages were disappointing as the conservation of older buildings seemed non-existent, with bland modern buildings thrown in.

Lake Maggiore looking North.

Coming down the eastern side of Lake Maggiore we branched off at Laveno, to travel through Varese to Lake Como. The town of Como, still pretty, was a shock trafficwise, since my brothers and I travelled through here 50 years ago. To be expected though, as the place has become very popular and the roads and infrastructure became inadequate.

Looking back to the western shore.

From Como we drove north to Bellagio along a hair raising road shared with busses and trucks. Bellagio has also become a popular holiday destination, packed with tourists. We didn’t stay long before heading south to Lecco. From here our route took us through Bergamo, skirting Lake d’Iseo to Brescia and on to Lake Garda, the jewel of all the lakes.

Bellagio on Lake Como.

Our campsite at La Fornace on the east side of lake Como.

I’m enjoying a coffee, but Annie’s trading on the NYSE and ASX!

At this point, Annie was planning to join our Michelle for a hike through the Dolomites, northeast of Lake Garda, with her hiking group, while I rented a dinghy to sail on Lake Garda. Annie was still coughing after our Camino colds and decided to pull out of the hike, which was a good thing judging by the conditions Michelle and her group went through to reach the summit of Peitlerkofel at 2,800m.

For these young women, a walk in the park.

The summit of Peitlerkofel.

Relaxing after the climb. For context, the group summited the peak below the moon.

On the southern shore of Lake Garda is a little peninsula with a beautiful old town Simioni, reached by crossing a bridge. This place is worth a visit – we spent a day exploring the town before driving north to camp at Bardolino.

The entrance to Simioni.

Simioni surrounded by crystal clear water.

Simioni – beautiful courtyards with spring flowers.

From here we drove to Verona to camp at Oro Verde, a wine and olive farm outside town. Italy has many beautiful cities and towns, but in our book, Verona and Venice are at the top. Shakespeare’s play Romeo and Juliet was set in Verona. People queue up to see Romeo and Juliet’s houses.

“Agri-camping” at Oro Verde – Porta Potty used as a coffee table inside.

Verona – Piazzetta Mura Gallieno.

First, there are just a few minor details to sort out here. Yes, there is a house called the Casa di Giulietta in Verona, which we passed because of the crowds. But no, Juliet didn’t ever live there. Romeo and Juliet are fictional characters and our sweet Juliet never actually set foot on that balcony looking for her Romeo.

Verona – looking towards Basilica di Santa Anastasia.

Interior Basilica di Santa Anastasia.

The Palazzo Maffei.

The Arena di Verona, built in the first century AD, this is one of the best conserved Roman amphitheatres, whose seating area is made up of 44 levels and can hold up to 22,000 spectators. In summer it hosts Operas and concerts – Aida was playing when we visited.

The Arena di Verona.

What! A Roman Gladiator?

The Piazza delle Erbe.

Verona street scene – so many photos, so little space!

Heading back to Milan, we decided to use the Autostrada and although subject to tolls, was much quicker to travel – albeit nerve wracking with fast moving cars and trucks travelling bumper to bumper. Returning the camper, we had done 800km in the nine days and had a wonderful experience.

So much so, that Annie is now looking out for a second hand VW California camper for the family to use for Aussie outback trips! Our next report will be from the Netherlands.

Cheers for now

Annie and Dirk