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Arrival and mountain scenery
The first stage is the longest of the trip, deliberately so, with mountain scenery as your reward.
Plan plenty of breaks — the climb over the Brenner Pass can see heavy traffic.
Long stage — plan in some breaks.
This is where your trip begins. You'll set off early to spread the long Alpine stage comfortably over two legs of the day.
An award-winning campsite in the Dolomites with a wellness area and views of the Sexten mountains. A good first stop after crossing the Alps, giving you a chance to catch your breath before the long drive south.
Booking ahead is often cheaper here
Crossing into the south
This is the most distance-heavy drive of the trip. If you'd rather take it easy, split it with a stopover near Orvieto and use one of the later buffer days for it.
Long stage — plan in some breaks.
A quiet, wooded campsite in the Phlegraean Fields, conveniently located west of Naples. From here you can easily reach the centre by Cumana railway or regional train, without having to take the motorhome into the cramped city.
Booking ahead is often cheaper here
City, pizza and history
Naples is lively and loud. Keep valuables close to you in the old town.
You wouldn't find anywhere to park a motorhome in central Naples anyway; the train connection is the relaxed way to go.
Naples' densely packed old town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site: narrow alleys, baroque churches, street food and the birthplace of pizza. Walk along the Spaccanapoli, look inside the cathedral with the Shrine of San Gennaro, and eat a proper Pizza Margherita.
One of the world's most important archaeological museums, home to the original frescoes and mosaics from Pompeii and Herculaneum. A great way to set the scene before visiting the excavations themselves.
Booking ahead is often cheaper here
Ancient city beneath the ash
A short drive, leaving plenty of time for the excavations.
The campsite sits right by the Villa dei Misteri entrance, saving you long walks.
The Roman city buried by Vesuvius in AD 79 is one of the most impressive archaeological sites in the world. You'll walk through complete streets, villas with frescoes, thermal baths and the forum. Allow several hours and bring sun protection and water.
Booking ahead is often cheaper here
A simple, practical site right by the Villa dei Misteri entrance, just a few steps from the excavations and the Circumvesuviana railway station. An ideal base for Pompeii and Vesuvius, with no need to move the vehicle.
A volcano with far-reaching views
Avoid driving a large motorhome up to Vesuvius — take the shuttle bus from Pompei instead.
Wear sturdy shoes for the dusty crater path; it can be windy and cool at the top.
From the car park at around 1,000 metres, a gravel path leads to the crater rim of the only active volcano on mainland Europe in about 25 minutes. From the top you get sweeping views over the Gulf of Naples and down onto Pompeii.
Booking ahead is often cheaper here
The Sorrento Peninsula
Sorrento is the key to exploring the Amalfi Coast car-free: boats and buses run directly from here.
The streets in the centre are narrow — don't drive the motorhome in.
A charming small town on a tufa terrace above the sea, with lemon groves, narrow lanes and views over the gulf. A good starting point for boats to Positano, Amalfi and Capri, and for buses along the coast.
A terraced campsite with sea views and a pool, within walking distance of Sorrento's old town. From here you can walk to the harbour for boats and to the bus stops along the Amalfi Coast, while the motorhome stays comfortably parked.
Booking ahead is often cheaper here
Turquoise water and pastel houses
Boats are the most relaxing and scenic way to reach Positano and Amalfi, with no hairpin-bend traffic jams.
In rough seas, boat services can be cancelled — take the SITA bus as an alternative.
The iconic village climbs steeply from the sea up the hillside in colourful houses and looks its best from the water. You'll step off the boat right onto the beach, wander through the steep lanes lined with boutiques, and take a look inside the Church of Santa Maria Assunta with its majolica-tiled dome.
See tickets on Tiqets(affiliate link)
The town that gives the coast its name, with the magnificent Cathedral of Sant'Andrea and its grand staircase. Narrow lanes, a paper-making museum and lemon specialities round out the stop. Boats also run from here to Ravello via Minori.
See tickets on Tiqets(affiliate link)
Gardens, music and panoramic views
Ravello is a peaceful contrast to the hustle and bustle down on the coast.
If you'd rather walk: the path up from Amalfi via Atrani is steep but rewarding.
This peaceful hilltop town sits 350 metres above the sea and is famous for its gardens and views. The Villa Rufolo, with its terraces, hosts the Ravello Festival concerts, while the Villa Cimbrone offers the famous Terrazza dell'Infinito. Ravello is noticeably quieter than the coastal towns.
Greek temples on the edge of the national park
The temples are especially beautiful in the soft light of late afternoon.
The Cilento is noticeably quieter and less touristy than the Amalfi Coast.
Three of the best-preserved Doric temples in the world stand here on a quiet plain, built by Greek colonists in the 6th and 5th centuries BC. The accompanying museum houses the famous fresco from the Tomb of the Diver. A peaceful, striking contrast to Pompeii.
Booking ahead is often cheaper here
A campsite with direct access to the long sandy beach at Paestum, just a few minutes from the temples. A quiet spot, ideal for combining antiquity with time on the beach.
Booking ahead is often cheaper here
Quiet villages by the sea
Short drives, with plenty of time for the beach and the hilltop village.
The coves of Santa Maria di Castellabate are among the cleanest in the region.
This medieval hilltop village above the sea is one of the most beautiful spots in Italy and became well known through the film Benvenuti al Sud. From the piazza in front of the castle you look out far across the Gulf of Salerno. Below lie the fine sandy coves of Santa Maria di Castellabate.
A family-run campsite close to the beach in the heart of the Cilento National Park. Peacefully located, ideal for switching between swimming, short hikes and the hilltop villages.
Booking ahead is often cheaper here
Nature and sea
A deliberate rest day after the packed culture days.
Pack walking shoes and swimwear — there's hardly any supplies along the way.
A sheltered headland with Mediterranean scrub, clear water and a small offshore island with a lighthouse. A coastal path winds through pines and holm oaks to hidden swimming coves, a peaceful stretch of nature within the marine protected area.
An underground world and heading north
The drive to Orvieto is long, but you'll set off after visiting the caves in the morning.
If you'd prefer a shorter drive, split the route and stay overnight near Caserta or Cassino instead.
Long stage — plan in some breaks.
The only cave in Italy where part of the route is covered by boat along an underground river. Stalactites, vast chambers and an ancient cult site make the visit special. The temperature stays constant at around 16 degrees, so bring a light jacket.
Booking ahead is often cheaper here
A motorhome site below Orvieto's old town, perched on its tufa cliff. A funicular takes you up into the medieval town with its magnificent cathedral. A good stopover on the long journey back.
Umbria and the road to the lakes
Culture in Orvieto in the morning, then a drive to Lake Garda in the afternoon.
It's worth booking early for Lake Garda — in September it's still fairly busy.
With its shimmering golden façade, Orvieto's cathedral is one of the most beautiful in Italy, and inside, the frescoes of the Cappella di San Brizio are stunning. The whole old town sits on a tufa plateau, beneath which lies a labyrinth of Etruscan caves. Take the funicular up and leave the motorhome parked below.
A large, comfortable campsite right on the southern shore of Lake Garda with its own beach and pools. A pleasant spot to unwind by the water once more before crossing the Alps, with good access to Peschiera's old town.
Booking ahead is often cheaper here
The way back over the mountains
Depending on traffic at the Gotthard, the Alpine crossing can take longer — build in some buffer time.
Lucerne makes a lovely last evening, with its lake and old town.
A campsite close to the centre on the shore of Lake Lucerne, within walking distance of the lakeside promenade and well connected to Lucerne's old town. A peaceful, well-located finish before the last drive to Freiburg.
Booking ahead is often cheaper here
Coming home
A short final drive, and you'll be home by early afternoon.
The end of the trip. After just under two weeks, you'll return to Freiburg with memories of ancient temples, Vesuvius and quiet coves in the Cilento.
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