Motorhome & Campervan Hire in Italy

• As with the rest of mainland Europe, drive on the right-hand side of the road! Drivers turning right have priority.
• Always give way to trams and trains.
• On the motorway, drive in the right-hand lane. The other lanes are for overtaking only.
• The speed limit in Italy is shown in km/h. In built-up areas the speed limit is generally 50km/h, main roads are 90-110km/h, and on motorways and dual carriageways it’s 130km/h.
• Red lights at a traffic light mean stop, there is no exception like in the USA where it is sometimes possible to turn right at a red light.
• Many cities have ZTL zones where traffic may only enter with a permit at certain times of the day. Look out for white signs saying “zona traffico limitato” above a red circle, with the hours that the ZTL is enforced stated below.
• Many motorways in Italy are toll roads, where you must get a ticket when you enter the motorway and then pay for your journey when you exit. Follow white signs marked “Alt Stazione” unless you’re planning to use an app, in which case you can follow the yellow “Telepass” signs.

There are plenty of campsite options throughout Italy, with many of them selling their own produce or hosting activities during the day. Camp on eco-farms in the countryside, sleep right by the beach on the coast, or park up for the night at a convenient campsite right on the edge of a city before a sunrise exploration.

• Beach Campsites: in Italy often have deck chairs and umbrellas available for your use. Some have private access to the whole beach, and others have fresh fish markets each day.
• Nature camping: is the best way to sum up many of Italy’s small and independent campsites. Often family-run, they make the most of the farms, forests, or hills where they’re situated, meaning you’ll be parked up with amazing views, surrounded by meadows, or snuggled into a nook in the forest. Camp on a BIO farm and you’ll often be able to purchase produce grown right there, or stay a night at a vineyard campsite and sample their wines. Plan your overnight stays in advance and book privately owned camping pitches with the roadsurfer spots app, or spontaneously on the go!
• Holiday Parks or Holiday Villages: are the complete opposite to a calm and peaceful farm campsite, but these absolutely serve a purpose. Many of them come with extensive swimming pools, waterparks, activities, restaurants, and even wellness centres, and so they’re great for families on a camping trip who just want a bit of fun and luxury for a few days (or a whole week! Why not?!). The kids will love the wide range of things to do, parents can relax knowing that they don’t have to be the sole source of entertainment, and you can get a family meal without the immediate clean up that’s necessary in a motorhome.
• City Campsites: aren’t the bucolic idyll that you might be envisaging when you think of camping in Italy, but there’s no denying that they’re extremely convenient when you want to make the most out of your time. They can be found both on the outskirts of cities and closer to the centre, and allow you to leave your vehicle in safety while you use public transport to get around for the day.

• Fair of Sant’Orso, January, Aosta Valley: if you’re looking for somewhere to find traditional Italian craftsmanship, this is it. The Sant’Orso fair showcases everything from wood sculpting to leather working, and weavings from lace to wicker.
• Battle of the Oranges, February, Ivrea: to commemorate a 12^th-century battle, participants in the battle of the oranges divide into nine teams and spend three days throwing oranges at each other.
• Carnevale, February, Venice: Although Carnevale is celebrated all over Italy, the city that people flock to is Venice for its sumptuous costumes and celebrations. Carnevale marks the beginning of Lent and is celebrated throughout the country with parades, balls, street performances, concerts, and boat processions.
• Infiorate di Spello, June, Spello: in this small Umbrian town, intricate patterns of flowers are arranged throughout the streets in a carpet covering around one mile. The patterns are spectacularly detailed, and are created to celebrate the religious festival of Corpus Domini.
• Feast of Saint Rosalia, July, Palermo: see dancing, theatre, and celebrations of both folklore and religion, with a procession that thousands travel to witness. Feast on traditional Sicilian delicacies heavy with fresh seafood, and stay for the fireworks that mark the end of the celebration.
• Umbria Jazz Festival, July, Perugia: ten days of Italian and international music, most of it free, in a beautiful Italian town? Need we say more?
• Fiera Internazionale del Tartufo Bianco d’Alba, October, Alba: for those of you with less than perfect Italian, this is a white truffle fair and an absolute highlight for foodies. The fair and accompanying market can be found in Alba on weekends in October and November and includes a white truffle walk.

It can be a little overwhelming choosing where to go in Italy with your campervan hire; there’s not one region in the whole country that doesn’t have something special to offer! Read on for a breakdown of what you can find in some of the best spots.

• Tuscany: soak up the art and architecture of Florence, the birthplace of the Renaissance and home to the majestic Duomo, before heading to Pisa to see the famous leaning tower. Don’t miss the striped cathedral in Sienna! Tuscany has incredible countryside, making it the perfect place for hiking as well as finding fresh and seasonal produce.
• Lombardy: situated in the north of Italy, Lombardy is home to many of Italy’s lakes including Como, Garda, and Maggiore. Head here to explore quiet lakeside towns and relax in nature. You’ll also find the Italian Alps for outdoor adventures whatever the season, as well as buzzy cities like Milan, Italy’s wealthiest city and home to Milan Fashion Week, da Vinci’s Last Supper, and an incredible food scene.
• Lazio: home to Italy’s capital, many people head to Lazio to explore Rome’s ancient ruins. Must-sees also include Tivoli, dating back to 1215BCE and where you’ll find the nature park of Villa Gregoriana, hiking in Monte Catillo, and stunning historic villas, as well as the ancient city of Viterbo. To escape to nature, head to the Apennine Mountains.
• Campania: this region in the southwest of Italy is famous for its dramatic and colourful Amalfi Coast, traditional Neapolitan pizza in Naples, and ancient Pompeii with towering Mount Vesuvius in the background.
• Umbria: one of the best activities in Umbria is truffle hunting, which can be done all over the region. Once you’ve gorged on truffle-covered food, visit the Marmore Waterfalls (the tallest man-made waterfalls in the world!) and go white-water rafting on the nearby Nera River. Visit artsy Arezzo and medieval Orvieto, and check out quaint towns and villages like Spello, Todi, and Citerna.
• Liguria: the Italian Riviera is world-famous, but it’s not just for the rich-and-famous! This stunning coastal region is full of colourful buildings and cobbled streets in the likes of Ventimiglia, and bursting with history in medieval Apricale and the incredible pedestrianised village of Bussana Vecchia. Slow down in Varigotti and relax on the beach in this colourful town set between the sea and the hills, or pull on your walking boots to tramp along the many hiking trails in the region.