Camping Zocco

The pitches were cramped and completely lacking in shade. The olive trees offered no cover, and the heat became unbearable. I also had to send back a lasagna that wasn’t good, but they refused to replace it. When I tried to order pizzas for my young children, they wouldn’t sell them to me. Staff were rude and arrogant everywhere we dealt with them, from reception and the bar to the supermarket and pizzeria. Whenever we asked a question, they behaved as though we were a nuisance. There was no warmth or hospitality, and the poor service made it feel like they were doing us a favor by having us there. I wouldn’t recommend Camping Soco to anyone. There are better campsites around Lake Garda with a friendlier atmosphere and staff who care about guests. I’ll never come back.

We went to look at the site in person, but left without booking. The pitches seemed crowded and very small, with little greenery or room to relax. It didn’t feel comfortable or peaceful, especially for a family with a baby. We also hadn’t been told beforehand that the gates are locked from 11 PM until 7 AM, so no one can come in or go out then. And the idea that they’d keep our passports overnight if we booked made us uneasy. Other places just scan them quickly. The whole process felt inconvenient and unwelcoming, so we chose somewhere else.

The passport issue was what finally made us leave. We were told that if we booked, our passports would be kept until checkout the next day. Other guests said theirs had only been taken briefly at check-in. We wondered why we were being treated differently, and whether there was discrimination or bad intent. We know passport details have to be registered, but holding on to the documents made us uncomfortable. We are sharing this honestly and respectfully so others can make an informed choice, not to offend anyone. Our advice to avoid the place comes from our disappointment with the attitude and communication we experienced. We also found the place crowded, with people packed in close and little privacy. It felt chaotic rather than welcoming, and the reception was cold. A staff member named Jacopo came across as mean-spirited, arrogant, and disrespectful, and made us feel unwanted. We felt neither safe nor at ease, so we left and looked elsewhere. We had first passed by Via del Zocco, Manerba del Garda while looking for somewhere to stay. Cars weren’t allowed inside, so you had to leave yours outside, walk around to find a spot, then go back for the car if you found one. That seemed exhausting and inconvenient, especially in hot weather or with children or luggage. We’d also called ahead about prices and were quoted one amount, but on arrival were asked for much more with no explanation. That lost our trust. We didn’t even book and left straight away. I don’t recommend this place, especially if you’re looking for respect, transparency, and comfort. Note: According to Article 292 of the Italian Civil Code (Codice Civile) and rules concerning personal freedom, keeping someone’s personal documents as a guarantee or without their consent is considered illegal. In some cases, it may be classed as unlawful retention of an official document (ritenzione illecita di documento), or as restricting freedom of movement if the documents are not returned when the owner asks.

The view was definitely the best part. There’s a playground for kids, and the service was almost excellent, with animators and a clean swimming pool. The pizza and the delays were awful, though. You need a car or bike to get there. In general, I liked the place.