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Our Month-Long Family Camping Trip
This summer, we spent a whole month camping across Europe with our three kids (aged 8, 11, and 13). While camping isn’t exactly new to us, most of the places we visited were completely first-timers for the family. From wandering Corsican towns and soaking up sun on stunning beaches, to hiking in alpine mountains and relaxing by crystal-clear lakes, we covered a huge variety of Europe — and had an absolutely brilliant adventure along the way.
We started in the Ardèche, taking a few days to slow down and recharge after the mad end-of-term rush. Then it was off to Corsica, where rocky cliffs, turquoise waters, and hidden beaches kept us exploring — though not without a few navigational hiccups (dodgy roads and flip-flop hikes included!). From there, we drove through Tuscany’s rolling hills, tackled family-friendly trails in the Dolomites, and finished our trip at the stunning Lake Bled in Slovenia.
Along the way, we learned a lot about travelling with our older kids: how to balance adventure with downtime, where to find the best gelato, and how to keep everyone (mostly) happy in a tent for a whole month. In this post, I’ll share our route, favourite stops, and some tips for making family camping in Europe both fun and manageable.
France – Ardèche & Corsica
Decompressing in Ardèche (3 nights)
After a hectic end-of-term, we spent a few days in the Ardèche just chilling at the campsite. Normally I feel the need to be busy, but slowing down was actually lovely — reading, swimming, and letting the kids play. When the kids were little, the play always involved us, so it wasn’t downtime at all. It was much easier to be out and about. Now, although I don’t naturally relax, the kids enjoy the downtime and the relaxation, and they can play on the trampoline without me!
Exploring Bonifacio, Aiguilles de Bavella and beaches (5 nights)
We have wanted to go to Corsica for years and I’m so pleased we took the plunge this year. We took the overnight ferry from Toulon to Ajaccio and it honestly couldn’t have been better. We booked using direct ferries and it worked so well. We’re a family of 5 but booked a 4 person cabin, outside, ensuite cabin which worked out fine for all of us. We arrived in Ajaccio at 7am, parked in a central car park, enjoyed a morning dip and wander, picked up some breakfast treats, then headed to our campsite near Bonifacio in the very south of Corsica.
On the way, we stopped at Roccapina Beach — the road is dodgy, but the beach is lovely (although, not lovely enough to risk your car, in my view!).
- Activities: Exploring Bonifacio’s cliffs and old town, short hikes, and cliff-side views.
- Note: The Lavezzi Islands were too choppy for a boat trip, so we admired them from the cliffs, which was still pretty good.
Aiguilles de Bavella Hike with Kids
One day we headed up to the Aiguilles de Bavella, and wow — the drive alone was worth it, with beautiful views around every bend. I honestly wasn’t expecting to do much walking — I’d imagined it was all proper, hardcore hiking, and let’s be honest, we’re definitely not hardcore hikers. But we managed to find a 2.5-mile-ish trail straight from the car park that was perfect for the kids: easy, beautiful, and completely doable.
Pro tip: don’t forget proper shoes! We could have easily gone further if we’d had the right footwear, but of course, we were the family doing it in flip-flops.
Beach Days at Pinarello & Rondinara
These beaches were perfect for relaxing: swimming, sunbathing, and enjoying the scenery without any rush, although they do get very busy so be prepared for lots of people. The sea is beautiful though and the kids loved snorkelling in the crystal-clear water. We took picnics to keep costs down and they were really relaxing days chilling out and playing at the beach.
We stayed at Camping Di Liccia, and it was a really good spot — there was a pool, evening entertainment, and plenty of space on the pitches. It wasn’t quite as peaceful as the quiet campsites we usually go for, but we’d definitely recommend it and would happily stay again. The kids loved the daily sports tournaments and, despite the language barrier, got fully involved.
Sagone (4 nights)
When we were booking campsites we weren’t sure about this area but actually it was really beautiful and we’d definitely recommend to anyone coming to Corsica. the campsite itself was, again, more of a resort type campsite than ones we usually stay at but it had great pitches, clean facilities, a couple of pools, a park and pretty lively evening entertainment! The girls definitely enjoyed the foam party.
We did a road trip around the Calanques de Piana which was stunning; genuinely jaw dropping scenery everywhere and really didn’t take too long, avoiding the usual “are we there yet?”. We just followed Google maps and it was fine!
One day we just took it easy at the campsite, and on our last day we headed down to the beach for a final dip. We stayed at Camping Le Sagone, which we’d definitely recommend. The area — and the nearby beaches — felt much quieter and more relaxed than the busier south of Corsica, which made it a really lovely change of pace.
Bastia (4 nights)
Our last stop in Corsica, before catching the ferry to Italy, was just outside Bastia in the north. We’d picked a campsite right on the beach, which was such a treat. True to form, we spent most of our time exploring the area rather than just lazing on the sand (much to the kids’ disappointment!), but we did make sure to have one proper beach day before we left. The campsite itself (Camping San Damiano) was fine — probably my least favourite of the three we tried in Corsica — but the beach more than made up for it. Honestly, we’d go back just for that.
We spent one day wandering through the local area and another soaking up the sun on the beach, but the real highlight was our road trip around Cap Corse. The drive itself takes about three hours and loops you around the dramatic coastline of Corsica’s “finger.” At first, I wasn’t sure about it—it felt a little too busy—but before long the crowds thinned, and the roads opened up to reveal breathtaking scenery. Along the way, there are plenty of little spots to pull over for a swim, grab an ice cream, or simply pause and take in the view. If you’re ever in this part of the island, it’s an experience I’d wholeheartedly recommend.
✨ Travel tip – If you want to camp in Corsica and you want to book in advance then do so early. Our campsites were generally good but we were very limited in choice.
Italy – Tuscany & the Dolomites
Tuscan Countryside & Family-Friendly Campsites (3 nights)
Tuscany’s rolling hills gave us the most beautiful drives, dotted with charming little towns and a campsite complete with a pool (remember your swimming hat!), pizza restaurant and lovely Aperol. We camped just outside Florence, but in the end decided not to head into the city itself as we’d been in with the kids before during our epic italian road trip. The kids weren’t too keen on wandering around in the heat—and honestly, we weren’t too keen on dragging them—so we went in search of somewhere with a view, pizza, and ice cream instead. Fiesole turned out to be perfect. From there, we had an incredible panoramic view of Florence, plus we stumbled on some truly delicious (and wonderfully affordable!) pizza and gelato. Let’s just say I may or may not have developed a little pistachio ice cream habit…
Dolomites: Easy Trails and Scenic Adventures (4 nights)
The Dolomites absolutely took my breath away—and honestly, I wasn’t expecting them to. We were just trying to find a place to stay between Florence and Lake Bled (our final stop), and while scrolling through pitchup.com I started looking at campsites in the Dolomites. By the time we booked, options were slim, so I went with one that had no pool and no electric hookup—mainly because there wasn’t much else left! But wow… what a surprise it turned out to be. The campsite, Camping Marmolada Malga Ciapela, was tucked right at the foot of the Marmolada, with the cable car practically on the doorstep whisking you straight up the mountain. I hadn’t read much about the area and had no real expectations, but it turned out to be one of the most breathtaking places I’ve ever been.
I used all trails to find some kid friendly walks nearby and whilst there weren’t loads suitable for a non-hardcore-hiking enthusiast family, there were one or two that I felt we could tackle. We did a 10km walk which was out to Malga Ombretta and back. It was quite steep at times on the way there (but all downhill on the return) but my non walking enthusiast kids managed it (and maybe enjoyed it a little…).
We do love a good cable car ride, so of course we went in search of another one—and this time we found ourselves in the beautiful little town of Alleghe. The parking right by the cable car is very easy and cheap! From there, we hopped on the cable car up to Col di Baldi, which offered the most stunning views over the mountains. Instead of heading straight back down, we decided to make the walk back to Alleghe on foot. About halfway down, we stopped at Piani di Pezze for a bite to eat, and it was the perfect little pause. The kids loved the Civetta Adventure Park—ropes, swings, and plenty of climbing to burn off their energy while we enjoyed the fresh air as well as some delicious pizza and tiramisu.
We checked out the Serrai di Sottoguda, and while it’s a pleasant walk with a well-made path, I wouldn’t call it a must-do. The queue can get quite long, and honestly, the surrounding area offers views that are just as (if not more) impressive without the wait. If you’re planning your itinerary, I’d suggest saving your time for other nearby spots that give you more wow factor for your morning.
Slovenia – Ljubljana (1 night)
We only had one night to spare before heading to Lake Bled, so we booked an Airbnb near Ljubljana. At first, I wondered if we’d given ourselves enough time in the city—but one afternoon in Ljubljana turned out to be perfect for us. The Slovenian capital is small, charming, and easy to explore on foot, with a relaxed, welcoming vibe.
We spent the day wandering through Ljubljana’s historic Old Town, admiring the pretty streets and river views, stopping for some delicious Slovenian food, and—of course—enjoying locally made ice cream. If you’re traveling through Slovenia, even a short visit to Ljubljana is absolutely worth it.
For dinner, we tried Moji Struklji Slovenije, a restaurant highly recommended by our Airbnb host. The food was incredible, and they even offer vegan options, making it a great spot for all types of travellers.
Lakes and lakes (4 nights)
Visiting Lake Bled: The Perfect Mix of Relaxation and Adventure
Our final stop in Slovenia was Lake Bled, and it turned out to be the ideal combination of relaxation and outdoor adventure. The lake is every bit as stunning as the photos suggest—crystal-clear water, calm and inviting, and surprisingly not too cold for swimming despite its glacial origins.
We stayed at a campsite on the lakefront, which had one unbeatable advantage: I could slip out early in the morning, while everyone else was still asleep, and enjoy a peaceful swim with the entire lake to myself. The campsite itself wasn’t my favourite, but with a location like that, it was hard to complain.
⚠️ Travel tip: Lake Bled gets incredibly busy during the day, especially in summer. To avoid the crowds, try arriving early in the morning or later in the evening for a quieter experience.
Things to Do Around Lake Bled and in the local area
We had three full days to explore, which gave us the chance to enjoy some of the best things to do in Lake Bled and around:
Walk around Lake Bled – The loop around the lake is easy, scenic, and perfect for stopping at different swimming spots along the way.
Relax at a Lido – We stumbled upon a lakeside Lido area, which was perfect for families it was 45 euros for all of us (but the price goes down after 3pm. The kids loved the diving boards and slide, while we enjoyed the laid-back atmosphere.
Hire a paddle board – This is a great way to get away from the crowds on the lake. Once away from the shore the lake is much less busy and you can appreciate the beauty and tranquillity of the lake. The cost is 15 euros an hour.
Ride the toboggan – This is a pretty cool activity if you fancy a break from the lake. The Toboggan is a short drive away, kids under 6 are free and it’s great fun!
Swim in Lake Bohinj – We loved this. There are car parks around the lake and it wasn’t difficult to park, although it is busy (there’s a theme here!). The lake is beautiful, clear and less crowded than Lake Bled. There are also campsites on the banks of the lake and are much less commercial (and much more basic) than the ones around Lake Bled. If that’s your vibe then they’re worth checking out.
Tip: Avoid peak hours to beat the crowds and stock up at local shops for picnic lunches.
Conclusion: Why Family Camping in Europe Works
Another month of family camping in Europe is behind us, and honestly, my love for it feels completely renewed. After a few years of chasing long-haul adventures, I’d started to wonder if our camping days were fading into the past—but this trip reminded me just how much I adore it.
What an adventure it’s been: hopping between islands, lazing on beaches, winding through mountain roads, and swimming in alpine lakes. The sheer variety Europe offers never stops amazing me. It’s such a patchwork of landscapes, languages, histories, and traditions—you could spend a lifetime exploring and still only scratch the surface. (Though thanks to Brexit, we’re limited to 90 days at a time… sigh.)
✨ Travel tip: If you’ve been thinking about a trip like this, my advice is simple—go for it. We’ve been camping for years, but I promise we are far from polished. We’re the kind of people currently holding our car and windscreen wiper together with brown tape. We wing it more often than not, and somehow it still works out. That’s the beauty of camping—it doesn’t have to be fancy, and it’s one of the most affordable ways to see so many incredible places.
So if you’re sitting there wondering whether you could pull it off, trust me, you can. And if you’ve got questions or need a little encouragement, I’d love to help—just reach out!
Kitchen Family Travels 