Tenuta Ca’ del Pioppo by Pierre & Vacances

We liked the quieter, simpler feel here compared with the big Lido Union camping next door. The two campgrounds are partnered, so you can use the other one’s facilities if you want, though it felt far too organized for our taste. The spacious pitches were lovely, the children’s pool was great and had been renovated in May 2024, and the reception women were kind, patient, and happy to answer questions. WiFi was stable during our stay. Toilets and showers were spotless and well cared for, with a children’s area and baby facilities. The water taps are tucked into bushes, so some pitches can’t easily reach them. Shopping is better at local supermarkets: two pears or apples for € 2,50 at the site shops is ridiculous. Our pitch near the sea cost more, but the bar played loud music from 8AM until 11PM. In the pre-season, with mostly families and older visitors, we didn’t need to be woken or entertained by remixed pop. It drowned out the sea, and woke our children several times. Background music might be fine, but the same loud remix playlist was too much. They should ask guests what they think.

People here are friendly and helpful, and the beach is pleasant enough with a cafe open early in the morning. The shop has everything and isn’t expensive, so you could spend the whole holiday on site without needing to leave. For small kids it’s ideal: there’s a great pool area, and the newer amenities are cleaned day and night. The restaurant is good and reasonably priced. It’s like most campgrounds in format, but I couldn’t fault this one.

My friend visited with his children during the first week. He checked out of his caravan before 10.am, but because his flight wasn’t until 11pm, he ate at the restaurant and used the pool. Reception then spoke to him badly and charged him a late checkout fee, despite those being paid services. They also make you hand back the wristbands and WiFi cards before leaving, as though you might sneak back in. The WiFi doesn’t work anyway. And the on-site supermarket is much more expensive than the one at union lido. I had a great 13-day stay because the site is connected to union lido, but leaving turned it sour. Reception holds your passports when you arrive. The evening before I left, I explained I needed to drive to the U.K. and wanted my passports and to pay the tourist tax before leaving at 4. 30am. They said I couldn’t do that until 7.am, even if I left my car outside the campsite the night before. I can’t imagine what you’d do if you had a 7.am flight and needed to leave at 4.am. They showed no sympathy and said I had to leave before 11pm or wait until after 7.am the next day. I felt like a hostage. It ruined the whole experience.

Italy is one of my favourite places to camp. This site is small, quiet, clean, and close to the beach, with good services. For what you get, it’s fairly inexpensive. You can also use all, or most, of the facilities at its “brother” Union Lido camping.