CAMPSITES IN ITALY AND SICILY (DEC 2013-MARCH 2014)

REVIEWED BY MARGARET WILLIAMSON FOR THE ACSI WEBSITE

ITALY - CARAVAN PARK LA VESIMA, ARENZANO (Dec 2013)

Small campsite, mainly statics with a few places inside the prison-like gates for tourers. Squeezed between the railway and the main road, with the motorway viaduct above, it's very noisy. And no sight of the sea, which lies over the railway line and is accessed via a tunnel. Where were the photos in the ACSI Card book taken? The 'beach' is a patch of black gravel. But the staff were very helpful and gave us a good hook-up. After complaining about the 4-minute cold shower, we were given a pass for a different (indoor, heated, clean) shower room with a 5-minute hot shower! But why not offer that from the start? And a young donkey roamed the site grazing on the grass (though dogs are not allowed!) But we were glad the site was open - the motorway viaduct was closed to caravans because of high winds and we had to exit at Arenzano.

ITALY – CAMPING ROMA, ROME (Dec 2013)

Easy access from Rome Ring Road. A huge modern holiday village, attracting large groups of backpackers as well as touring motorhomes and caravans. Excellent facilities and free wifi. The price was high (and they forget to mention the local tax until you check out!) but it is the nearest site to the centre of Rome. Bus/metro tickets on sale. The restaurant was open and had offered very good take-away pizza. Less welcome was the noise from the bar until 1.30 am at the weekend.

ITALY – CAMPING MIRAMARE, LIVORNO (Dec 2013)

Phoned ahead to ask the price but was not told that pitches with sea-view cost an extra 10 euros per night, nor that the electricity included was only 2 amps and it was an extra 3 euros per day for a better hook-up. The receptionist argued at great length that 2 amps was 'normal' throughout Europe!

Arrived during siesta and followed instructions to choose a pitch and check in later. We'd chosen a sea-view place, we were the only campers on the site, and the extra price was demanded, making it well over 30 euros a night - in early December! Only after a very long argument and threats to leave was the extra 10 euro per night removed. 
Shower/toilet block was dismal and unheated. The restaurant was closed, the pitches were very tight (even the sea view ones). The view was nice but that was all - and certainly not worth all the hassle. Never again.

ITALY – CAMPING SPARTACUS, POMPEI (Dec 2013)

Excellent position, right opposite the Pompei archaeological site and very near A3 motorway. Pitches are small, tucked under orange trees. Bargain price with off-season card. Free Wifi worked well. Toilet/shower block needs serious renovation. Hot water in mornings only. But glad they were open when so many sites are closed.

ITALY – CAMPING MIMOSA, NICOTERA MARINA (Dec 2013)

A useful stopover on the way to Sicily. Sadly, the campsite was almost deserted, the restaurant closed and the WiFi (near reception only) barely working. Hard to believe the praise in earlier reviews! We were allocated a private WC/shower but the water was lukewarm and a grimy plastic curtain hardly separated shower from toilet bowl. To access the site you now have to drive through busy Rosarno rather than taking the ACSI Card book's route via San Ferdinando Porto, due to road closure because of the collapse of a bridge. We shall not be returning!

SICILY – CAMPING JONIO, CATANIA (Dec 2013)

A small campsite on the edge of busy Catania. Some pitches overlook the rocky shore (no beach). Though there was room there, we were directed onto a parking area behind the restaurant, next to a noisy road, with no view. Access to all areas was awkward and we had great difficulty exiting. The 'very modern sanitary facilities' do not exist. The drinking water taps were old and rusty, the toilet emptying point was blocked and overflowing, the showers were operated by pulling a dirty string - and they were cold and draughty. A pizza from the restaurant was very poor value, with hardly any topping. One night was quite enough.

SICILY – CAMPING SABBIADORO, AVOLA (Dec 2013)

Coastal site with beautiful gardens but two huge problems. Access is down a horrifying narrow lane, 500m long with sharp turns, no escape till the end and no room to pass even a pedestrian. Meeting an oncoming vehicle would block the lane. Leaving in an emergency, such as a fire, would be impossible. I can't understand how this campsite got a licence or how ACSI can recommend it.

The second problem is the management. The woman in charge was rude and unhelpful, claiming she did not understand any question, whether in English, French and German. I was told on the phone (and by other campers) that WiFi was free but she demanded 5 Euros for a very poor service.

Showers cost 0.50 Euros for a very short time and were open to the elements. When I asked about free showers for ACSI Card holders, I was reluctantly given a 'Chip' giving only 2 showers, renewable daily.

The gates to the beach were padlocked. The atmosphere was hostile, the bar closed.

This place should not be open as a campsite.

SICILY – CAMPING LUMINOSO, PUNTA BRACETTO (Dec 2013)

A very well run and peaceful campsite, directly by a beach enjoying mild weather. An excellent choice in winter at ACSI card rate, with extra reductions depending on length of stay. There are spacious level pitches on gravel, some with sea view. Every camper has a key to their own toilet, with basin and hot water, and all the facilities are modern and extremely clean, with limitless free hot showers and efficient laundry machines. Excellent WiFi throughout the site for a small charge. The baker's van calls daily and there are regular visits by the greengrocer, butcher and fishmonger. The owners could not be more friendly and their family includes an extremely helpful Englishman. Highly recommended, the best site of the 86 we've stayed on throughout the past year!

SICILY – CAMPING RAIS GERBI, FINALE (March 2014)

The site is dissected by a railway line and the access to the small stony beach is down long flights of steps. Pitches on concrete, with no privacy. WiFi free for one hour on arrival, after which the tickets are expensive. Village of Finale only 500 m away, but along a busy road - not accessible along sea shore. Very basic shops. Camp facilities old but functional. Restaurant closed. Washing machine OK, but no drier. The owner was very aggressive when asked about the metered electricity, as we were paying the ACSI Card rate. He refused to explain what was included, or the price per kWh if we exceeded the limit, and asked if we were so poor that it mattered to us! Next day a friendlier Receptionist said 3 Euros' worth per day was allowed but we must pay for any extra. When we left, however, no-one bothered to read the meter and we were not charged extra - so why the insults? We will certainly not return here.

SICILY – CAMPING MARINELLO, OLIVERI (March 2014)

A large campsite under eucalyptus trees, with a gate onto the beach. Facilities are dated but the toilets had paper and seats. The free showers were good and hot but washing up sinks had only cold water. The free WiFi worked well at our pitch and the receptionist was most helpful. Very quiet, with only 2 other vans. The small fishing village/resort had basic shops. Good walk along the gritty beach to the Marinello lagoons, a small nature reserve with a few birds. Winter ACSI Card rate applied.

ITALY – CAMPING ONDA AZZURRA, CORIGLIANO CALABRO (Dec 2013 and March 2014)

A large coastal site, with many overwintering campers from northern Europe. Electricity is metered, WiFi is free (though unreliable). It has a good campsite restaurant and shop, with other stores a short drive away. The small winter shower block is old but clean. There are piles of stinking rubbish in all the bins outside the site and along the lanes, attracting stray animals, which spoil the area. A great pity and a problem that has been present for several years!