Travelling in a motorhome in Italy: From North to South, Part One

Yes, it is! Italy is the perfect summer holiday destination for travelling by motorhome. From the Alps in the north, to the sunny beaches of Sicily in the south, it offers an incredibly diverse range of landscapes, culture and cuisine. Travelling by motorhome gives you a freedom and flexibility that other modes of transport can hardly offer.

With our van Marty, we traveled through Italy for a whole month this year, from the north to the very south of Sicily in April. In a few articles, we’ll give you a run-down of our trip, the best campsites and places we discovered along the way, and offer helpful tips on how to survive the tourist-crowded Amalfi in a campervan and not go crazy. And much more.

Route planning

We will go through the basic areas to consider when planning your trip.

Best time to travel

The ideal time to travel around Italy is in spring (April – early June) and autumn (September – October), when temperatures are pleasant and tourist crowds are smaller. We started our trip in early April with the beginning of Easter. We recommend this period with all ten of us. There are far fewer people on the streets, and on the roads, than in the summer. At the same time, you won’t be completely alone in places and especially over the weekend you will know that the main tourist season is around the corner. Nature is waking up and you won’t be surprised by the unbearable heat outside or inside your four-wheel house.

Another equally important factor of pre-season travel is that you have a wide range of campsites to choose from, as none of them will be at full capacity. Most campsites have been operating since the beginning of April and even the most popular ones are happy to accommodate you, and even at better prices.

Indicative timetable

We recommend at least three weeks to enjoy each region. We traveled for a month and it was already on the edge as we moved to a different place almost every day. A minimum of 6-8 weeks is ideal for exploring each region and the surrounding area, although this can be challenging when combined with work. If you are able to work remotely, we recommend working during the week with evening shifts and having Fridays and weekends free to explore the area (personally verified).

Caravan preparation

Check the roadworthiness of the vehicle, equipment and don’t forget all the necessary documents and insurance before your trip. If you have a motorhome, it definitely deserves a service after the winter. If you rent a motorhome, you have less to worry about. Either way, renting will definitely cost you less in the off-season and the dates will be more flexible.

TIP: We recommend the Campiri online platform for booking a motorhome. With the code TRVL1500 you get an extra 1 500 CZK discount on your reservation.

Planning a trip

Planning a trip and holiday with a motorhome, especially in a new destination, can take a lot of time and you’ll need long evenings to plan it. We recommend making a list of destinations you definitely want to visit first and planning the rest of your trip around them. Don’t complicate your travel with unnecessarily long transfers, but at the same time always try to return by a different route to create a circuit. The great thing about Italy is that if you want to travel from north to south, you have the option of using motorways all along the way, which will speed up your journeys on certain stretches. The motorways in Catania and parts of Sicily aren’t even tolled. Even if you decide to take a route other than north to south, the roads in Italy are good, safe in most places, and you can usually avoid the winding coastal roads by taking a better route further inland.

Planning a holiday in Italy but don’t have time to plan? Drop us a line and we’ll be happy to help, or check out our ready-made itineraries.

Main regions of Italy

How to choose from a wide range of destinations in Italy? These are the regions we visited along the way, each with a completely different atmosphere and characteristics. Here we offer a short description of the destinations with inspiration of the places and what you can discover in them. So which ones will you choose for your holiday?

Northern Italy

Alps and lakes

• Destinations: Lago di Como, Lago Maggiore, Lago di Garda
• Activities: Hiking, cycling and water sports
• For whom: Do you love active holidays? There is no better and more beautiful place than the Italian Alps and lakes. You can combine great cuisine with beautiful lakes and amazing walks in the surroundings.

Venice

• Destinations: Venice (Venezia)
• Activities: Sightseeing in the historic centre, gondola ride, visit to museums and galleries
• For whom: Romantics and fans of history and art. Venice offers a unique atmosphere that you won’t find anywhere else in the world.

Verona and the Dolomites

• Destinations: Verona, Dolomites (Val Gardena, Cortina d’Ampezzo)
• Activities: Historical sightseeing, hiking, skiing and climbing
• For whom: For lovers of culture and nature. Verona is ideal for those who appreciate history and romance, while the Dolomites are a paradise for outdoor enthusiasts.

Central Italy

Tuscany

• Destinations: Florence, Chianti, Siena, San Gimignano
• Activities: Tours of historic towns, wine tasting, cycling in the countryside
• For whom: For fans of art, history and gastronomy. Tuscany is ideal for those who want to experience authentic Italian culture and enjoy great wines and food.

Rome

• Destinations: Rome (Roma)
• Activities: Visiting historical monuments (Colosseum, Forum Romanum, Vatican), city walks, gastronomic experiences
• For whom: For all those who want to explore one of the most important historical capitals of the world. Rome is ideal for lovers of history, architecture and culture.

Cinque Terre area

• Destinations: Monterosso al Mare, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola, Riomaggiore
• Activities: Hiking along the trails between the villages, swimming, tasting local cuisine and wine
• For whom: For those who want to experience a “different” Italy. Cinque Terre is perfect for those who want to experience breathtaking views and charming villages on steep cliffs with the most beautiful walks along the ridges.

Southern Italy

Naples and the Amalfi Coast

• Destinations: Naples, Pompeii, Amalfi Coast (Positano, Amalfi, Ravello)
• Activities: Visiting archaeological sites, beaches, hiking
• For whom: For explorers of history, archaeology and beautiful scenery. The Amalfi Coast is ideal for those looking for a combination of history, natural beauty and tourism.

Puglia

• Destinations: Bari, Alberobello, Polignano a Mare
• Activities: Sightseeing in the historical centre, visit to the trulli in Alberobello, relaxation on the beaches
• For whom: For those who have had enough of traditional Italy though, there is plenty of history, architecture and beautiful beaches to be found here too. Puglia offers a combination of cultural heritage and beautiful coastline.

Calabria

• Destinations: Tropea, Reggio Calabria, Aspromonte National Park
• Activities: Hiking, swimming, sightseeing, typical farms
• For whom: For travellers looking for a less touristy and more authentic experience. Calabria may be one of the poorest regions in Europe, but it offers beautiful nature and a quieter atmosphere than other tourist areas.

Sicily

East Coast

• Destinations: Catania, Etna, Taormina
• Activities: Climbing the Etna volcano, sightseeing, relaxing on the beaches
• For whom: For adventurers and lovers of nature and history. The east coast of Sicily offers a combination of active relaxation and cultural experiences.

West Coast

• Destinations: Palermo, Valley of the Temples of Agrigento, Zingaro Nature Reserve
• Activities: Sightseeing in historical towns, visiting archaeological sites, hiking, swimming in the clear sea
• For whom: For lovers of peace, culture and beautiful beaches. The west coast of Sicily is rich in cultural heritage and beautiful scenery.

In the next article we will look at each area separately with details on camping, what to see and experience, and recommendations for the best campsites and parking… coming soon…

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