With the caravan over the Reschenpass to Lake Garda

This is where your trip begins. Pack up at a leisurely pace and set off in the early morning so you arrive relaxed and without any time pressure in the Allgäu.

A well-kept campsite right on Hopfensee with views of the mountains, ideal for the first evening. The children can splash about at the shallow lakeshore, and you've got a meadow, playground and bathing area right on your doorstep.

Booking ahead is often cheaper here

A roaring waterfall on the edge of Füssen with turquoise-blue water and a short, family-friendly boardwalk loop. A good stop before you wander through the car-free old town.

A peaceful natural bathing lake in the woods with a view of Schloss Neuschwanstein, great for swimming and picnics. From here you can see the famous castles without having to fight through the crowds.

A site on the edge of Landeck that's open all year round, quietly situated and a handy stopover before the Reschenpass. A good base for splitting the stage to the lake, with clean sanitary facilities and close to the Inn.

The famous church tower rises solitary out of the reservoir, the landmark of the Vinschgau. A quick photo stop with a lakeside path where the children can throw stones into the water.

A family-friendly site in the sunny Vinschgau with a pool, playground and plenty of greenery, a good stopover before Lake Garda. Surrounded by orchards, cycle paths and mild South Tyrolean charm.

Booking ahead is often cheaper here

A flat, well-maintained cycle path through apple orchards along the Etsch, ideal for families with children. You can ride at a relaxed pace as far as Schlanders or Kastelbell and take the Vinschgerbahn back.

A site right on the northern shore of Lake Garda, where the steady wind draws in surfers and sailors and the mountain backdrop is spectacular. The children have shallow lake access, and you have the promenade and village within walking distance without narrow lanes.

Booking ahead is often cheaper here

A charming little town with a long lakeside promenade, bathing spots and ice cream parlours at the northern end of the lake. Lovely for families to wander around, swim and climb the old Torre Apponale.

An impressive waterfall that plunges deep into a gorge, accessible via secured walkways. A cool, exciting outing for children, just a few minutes above Riva.

A family-friendly site on the flat, warm south-western shore with its own lake access, a pool and plenty of room to play. Ideal for the second half of the lake stay, quieter than the busy north, with a gentle bathing beach.

Booking ahead is often cheaper here

A nature reserve on a rocky headland with the remains of ruins and wide views over the lake. A short, family-friendly walk, with a lovely bathing cove at its foot.

A narrow peninsula with the moat-encircled Scaligerburg and the Roman villa Grotte di Catullo at its tip. Fascinating for children, between moat, castle battlements and shallow bathing spots.

A flat, rocky-slab beach at the northern tip of Sirmione with turquoise, shallow water. Great for paddling, though there's no sand, so bring water shoes.

An elegant town with the longest lakeside promenade on the lake and a lively Saturday market. Perfect for a stroll with ice cream, fresh fruit and local olive oil from the region.

A traditional olive mill near Soiano, where you can taste and buy Lake Garda olive oil. An illustrative stop that also shows children how olives become oil.

A flat stretch of shoreline with a view of the Isola San Biagio, which you can reach almost dry-footed when the water level is low. The loveliest spot for one last swim together in the warm lake.