We're off tomorrow, and, as always with our Aug trips, leaving the planning very late. But driving from the UK, with a tent in the back of the car, we've got quite a deal of flexibility.

Thurs of next week is Ferragosto; presumably most people will take Fr off as well as a bridge to the weekend. But how do you think things will be on T,W 13,14? It's then that we're likely to be driving from Orta to Marche.

And are there any happy campers amongst readers? I don't recall much on this past postings. Is it reasonable to expect vacancies in campsites around the Sibillini foothills (Sarnano/Amandola area) on the day before Ferragosto?

Thanks, Paolo, for the driving lights tip (language forum).

Jonathan

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Kim,

Vacations began last weekend, they sort of bracket ferragosto. Traffic was orribile to seaside locations, and I don't know about camping, just camper vehicles, which are terrifically popular.
Weekdays are always better as concerns vacations. I wouldn't worry about that until evening of the 14th.

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I wouldn't worry about that until evening of the 14th.

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By which time we hope to be settled in Le Marche. Thanks for the quick reply. The weather in Lombardia looks pretty nasty for the next few days: I'm hoping that all of those hills around Orta will give it a nicely protected microclimate But if it's horrible, then we'll go straight down and do our walking in the Sibillini rather that in those enticing looking valleys between Orta and Domodossola.

Though we would like to try the swimming in Lake Orta. If that doesn't work out though, there's always Lake Fiastra in the Sibillini. Anyone know it?

Jonathan

Campers beware..it has been storming and hailing. come prepared.
some campgrounds were evacuated due to small Trombe di aria..cyclone's???

It tore off roof tiles and moved cars here in Rufina , near Florence and I have seen flooding and damage on the news in Northern Italy.

One pound hail stones anyone?

Judy Divina Cucina
Florence
Everyone should try being Italian at least once a day!!

Jonathan, have a great trip. I look forward to hearing about it when you get back.

Best,

David, usually in NYC

Thanks, David. After reading Judy's weather stories and browsing the 5-and 10-day forecasts on the web, I think it might be yet another year when Orta gets shelved (we were originally intending to visit last year). But east of the mountains, in Marche, looks a little more promising for next week. Fingers crossed

Restaurant reports promised on our return.

Jonathan

Pictures, too, I hope.

Buon viaggio!

Bill
Gazetteer of Italy

And a report about camping in Italy. Lucky Jonathon to toss things in the car and drive to Italy (except a right hand drive car in a left hand drive country will be something to get used to). A word of advice - drive on the right!!

Pauline from Slow Travelers

Grazie, Bill! I got my first digital camera in June, so I'm still getting used to it; haven't yet tried posting anything in public. But I'll certainly be teking lots of pics ...

And to Pauline: the only awkward moments when driving rhd cars in Europe are motorway tollbooths and overtaking big vehicles. But with a trustworthy passenger ( ) it's easy enough. I haven't really written about camping before - with the board's readership seeming to be predominantly US and Aus based, it didn't seem very relevant. But our Castiglione/Bevagna trip last year (a few restaurant reports posted) was camping, as were the previous 2 Augusts in Italy, and another 4 years before that in France. So if anyone wants to know more, I'd be happy to write more.

But not until our return on 29th. I might very occasionally drop in to an internet cafe - but for me the Aug trip is very much one for getting away from the screen and keyboard. Lots of books to read, and plenty of cds of Beethoven quartets (Bill has his Bach cello suites, I have my late Beethoven quartets )

Jonathan (whose boat leaves from Dover in just over 5 hours, so is signing off )