Wednesday 24 May 2017

Silandro tio Toscolano - 126 miles

A dullish start to the day with a hint of rain in the air and with no servicing facilities we were away a little earlier than usual. Our target today is Lake Garda where we intend to stop for a few days.

Busy roads down out of the mountains as we again kept clear of the motorways, although for the short distance we could have used them today it wasn't worth bothering. Also we needed to do a small shop but, apart from an aborted attempt at a Lidl with an underground carpark, we saw no food shops at all until we got to Rovereto where a Eurospar with a reasonable size carpark saw to our needs. We also made this a lunch stop in the now very hot sunshine – we saw 33º at one point.

Decisions had now to be made for our stopover and the ACSI book was analysed for sites that would a/ be available to us, that is, were “in season for ACSI” and b/ accepted dogs. Then a matter of west or east shores; knowing from coaching days that the east coast was the more touristy we elected for the west and identified a site half way along the lake at Toscolano, quite a small town.

First view of Lake Garda

Narrow tunnels

Dropping into Riva del Garde

View across the lake to Malcacene

However the west coast road is, well, interesting! Quite narrow in places it has frequent tunnels and is up against the rock face for much of the time as well as being quite twisty – as the route notes said, a bit of a challenge for larger vans. We took our time and actually followed a French van all the way along whose driver obviously was not used to this sort of driving, but he/she managed. And by coincidence, they turned off at the same point as us although they were heading for a campsite a little further along. Photos were a bit sparse as much of the time we were in tunnels and at others Bren was gripping the sides of her seat............ Might save the dashcam file.

Riviera Camping is a holiday type site with all facilities, restaurant, bar, supermarket and swimming pool. However, despite many of the pitches being occupied by permanent caravans, there were very few in residence and most of the “extra” facilities only open at the weekend just now. The beach bar was open though. Found ourselves a nice pitch overlooking a small river, well stream really, running into the lake – lakeside pitches were not available to ACSI customers. Had to ask the receptionist to switch the electric back on; it's only 3 amps and obviously had been “tripped” by previous users. We'll have to be careful as well, that won't even run the low water heater setting!

So once set up a cool drink, ice cream and relax. Later after tea a quick service of the van then showers. It is very warm and humid and very hazy; might be a sticky night.

Where we stayed

Camping Riviera, Toscolano Maderna, west side of Lake Garda N45º38'4” E10º36'47”

170 pitches on level firm grass with electricity (3 amps), may need long cable. All usual facilities, plus restaurant, bar, supermarket, swimming pool (seasonal). Many pitches have permanent caravans.

€17 per night (ACSI) Lakeside pitches extra.