Campervan, RV & Vanlife News
A citizens' committee, along with Legambiente, Italia Nostra and Lipu of Bergamo and Brescia, is launching a consultative referendum on the motorhome area project at Nistoi, invoking Article 64 of the municipal statute. Opponents say the project affects a green and protected area at hydrogeological risk, and that a nearby campsite already offers ample motorhome parking. They also question the need for a public-private partnership to support a private business activity.
On 26 September 2026, Palena, Italy, will welcome 37 motorhomes as part of the National Plein Air Day for Orange Flag towns, organised by the Italian Touring Club. Participants can join tastings of traditional local products, free guided tours with Luigia Di Sciullo, and visits to the Grotte del Cavallone. Mayor Verna credited Pedro Sciarra for helping Palena earn the Orange Flag designation.
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The Europa campsite in Menaggio, the only one in the town, has been put up for sale. The asking price is reported to be at least 5 million euros for 5,000 square meters of lakeside land designated for tourism. Owners Roberto and Giuseppe Bertarelli confirmed this is a starting price and that interest has already been expressed by multiple parties. The municipality is also considering purchasing the site, but the high figures make this unlikely. Concerns have been raised about the future of affordable tourism and the Lerai beach, the town's only public beach, which the mayor, Michele Spaggiari, has guaranteed will remain public.
From 9 to 11 October 2026, the third Camperfest — Destinazione L’Aquila will take place in San Demetrio ne’ Vestini (L’Aquila). The programme includes the Grotte di Stiffe, a tour of L’Aquila’s historic centre and a saffron DOP tasting.
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Work has started on a new serviced camper parking area in Pietra del Melo, along the SP 86 near Agnone. The site will feature children's play equipment, an exercise area and toilets, with completion scheduled for early 2027.
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In Italy, interest is growing in low-end motorhomes built by specialist manufacturers. La Gazzetta dello Sport selected models with base prices between 40,000 and 50,000 euros, around 450 cm long, mostly on Fiat Ducato chassis. Many novices start with used motorhomes. Prices refer to base versions without customisation.
The motorhome stopover "Un Po di Sosta" in Paesana has been awarded the Stella d'Oro di Eccellenza by the Italian Campers Confederation (Federcampeggio). The award was presented at the Salone del Camper in Parma during the meeting "Regenerative tourism travels on wheels". The prize was handed over by Federcampeggio President Emanuele Paolicelli and F.I.C.C. President João Alves Pereira. The award recognises service quality, environmental sustainability and support for local tourism.
A large fire broke out in a warehouse on Via Genazzano in Valmontone, used for storing boats, campers and agricultural machinery. The flames started around 12:00. The Rome Fire Brigade operations centre dispatched crews from Palestrina and Colleferro, supported by three water tankers and a breathing apparatus vehicle. By the time firefighters arrived, the fire was fully developed. No injuries have been reported. Law enforcement is on site; extinguishing and safety operations are ongoing.
Italian caravan associations have proposed raising the speed limit for car and caravan combinations to 100 km/h on motorways and 80 km/h on extra-urban roads. The initiative coincides with the Salone del Camper in Parma. Current Italian limits are lower than in most EU countries. The proposal is backed by InCaravan Club Italia, ACIT and the Tuttocaravan forum, citing modern safety systems such as hitch stabilisers and electronic sway control. Parliamentary and government review is awaited.
From Friday to Sunday, Santa Fiora (Tuscany) will host the national PleinAir Festival organised by the Paesi Bandiera Arancione association. Participants will stay at the semi-equipped camper area on via Martiri della Niccioleta, which has loading and unloading services. On Saturday, a guided tour of the historic centre includes Palazzo Sforza Cesarini, churches and Robbian works, followed by an aperitif and distribution of PleinAir 2026 gadgets. On Sunday, a guided visit to the Galleria Alta and the source of the Fiora river will be held in groups of up to 12 people. Optional visits include the Mercury Mining Museum of Monte Amiata and the Peschiera Park.
About 20–25 motorhomes parked in the Terme area have been without waste disposal and water filling for three weeks. The Ascione lot in Cervia is clogged, and viale Tritone in Pinarella has no water. Owners must travel to Cesenatico for basic services.
Salone del Camper — Caravan Accessori Percorsi e Mete will be held at Fiere di Parma from 12 to 20 September 2026. The 17th edition will feature four routes across Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Emilia-Romagna, Tuscany and Calabria, linking campsites, wineries and local producers. In 2025, open-air tourism in Italy exceeded 74 million presences, with an estimated value of 8.5 billion euros.
The municipality of Dogliani has published regulations for the motorhome area in Piazza d'Armi, inaugurated on 3 July and designed to accommodate up to twelve vehicles simultaneously. Access is permitted exclusively to motorhomes as defined by current legislation; parking is expressly prohibited for cars, motorcycles, unconverted vans, caravans, tents, vehicles without self-contained sanitary facilities, vehicles with 'nautical' discharge systems, and vehicles exceeding 35 quintals or the marked spaces. The maximum continuous stay is 96 hours from the moment of arrival, after which the area must be vacated and a minimum interval of 72 hours observed before re-entry. Loading and unloading services operate from 1 April to 31 October; during the winter period from 1 November to 31 March they may be temporarily suspended to prevent frost damage.
Construction of a new camper area in Piazza Oddone in Susa, Italy, is set to begin. The project, presented by Mayor Piero Genovese at the Salone del Camper in Parma, includes a first phase of works, a dog exercise area, and landscaping as part of the urban regeneration of the Re Cozio Archaeological Park. The aim is to encourage longer stays to explore local heritage and businesses.
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The Salone del Camper in Parma, held from 12 to 20 September 2026, confirmed 100,000 visitors over nine days. More than 60,000 online tickets were sold.
In 2025, over 44,000 motorhomes were purchased in Italy, including new and used: new registrations rose 10.56% compared to 2024, and used transfers increased 6.05%. According to the Association of Caravan and Camper Manufacturers, this reflects growing interest in recreational mobility, but does not indicate how many people live permanently in motorhomes. The open-air tourism sector reached 74 million visits in 2025, valued at 8.5 billion euros; 93% of wheel-based travellers consider this mode their preferred one. Among fulltimers are remote workers, retirees, freelancers and content creators; one account of 11 years living on board cites an average monthly cost of about 1,700 euros, excluding the vehicle purchase and travel.
The motorhome parking area on Via del Triangolo in Montalto Marina, recently opened, already shows signs of poor maintenance. Visitors report overgrown weeds on the gravel surface, untended green areas, and possible presence of rats and snakes. They are calling on authorities to carry out cleaning, vegetation cutting, and an overall inspection to ensure safety and usability.
A few months after its inauguration in May, the new motorhome stopover in Narzole has become actively used, with regular visits from motorhomers noted by those frequenting local sports facilities. Due to its strategic position, Narzole serves as a key link between the Langhe and the plain leading to the mountains.
Work has started in Macerata Feltria on a temporary camper parking area in the Pieve locality, near the sports facilities. The project is funded by an €82,500 grant and includes 11 pitches, a camper service area, internal road improvements, green spaces, lighting, an ecological waste collection point, Wi-Fi, and video surveillance.
The municipality of Montechiaro d'Acqui has secured €90,000 in funding from Gal Borba to build a new camper area. The project includes 5–6 pitches, an electric entry barrier, water, electricity and wastewater connections, and electric charging points. Work will begin in the coming days and is scheduled for completion by spring 2027. The area will complement existing tourist facilities such as a holiday home and an albergo diffuso system.