Luca Hänni misses real camper feeling after Italy trip

The Regional Administrative Court of Bolzano annulled a 2025 municipal ordinance banning overnight parking of camper vans in public lots in Wolkenstein. The court ruled that the city council lacked authority to impose such traffic restrictions, and a subsequent mayoral decree was also legally insufficient. The lawsuit was filed by the National Association of Camper and Motorhome Owners. The municipality must reimburse the association's legal costs, amounting to a five-figure sum.

The municipality of Spoleto has renounced a €108,000 grant from the Italian Ministry of Tourism for the expansion and redevelopment of the camper area on Via del Tiro a Segno/Ponzianina. The decision was forced by a veto from ANAS, which cited safety concerns due to the site's location under the Flaminia state road overpass. An alternative plan to use part of the Ponzianina parking lot was rejected as it would reduce space for tourist buses. Mayor Andrea Sisti has instructed technical offices to find a new location near the Spoleto Sfera mobility hub.

The author first pitched a tent on the Italian Adriatic in 2007 at the 'Ca’Pasquali Camping' site. Nineteen years later, he returned to the same location, now renamed 'Ca’Pasquali Village' and rated five stars. Reservations are now mandatory, and the infrastructure has turned a simple pitch into a full-fledged resort complex.

Italian manufacturer Etrusco has expanded its camper van lineup with the CV 640 PB+ for the 2027 model year. The 6.36-meter van, built on a Fiat Ducato, features an electrically adjustable lift bed at the rear, allowing the space to serve as both a sleeping area and cargo hold. The storage compartment measures 73×111×180 cm. The model also includes a Skyview glass roof and a compact Variobath. Price is €80,990; debut at the Caravan Salon in Düsseldorf.

Stellantis has confirmed the return of the Fiat Ducato's 160 PS engine (2.2-liter turbodiesel) from 2027. The engine will be available exclusively to motorhome and camper van manufacturers, not commercial customers. It comes with a 6-speed manual (380 Nm) or 8-speed automatic (400 Nm) transmission.

Starting October 1, four northern Italian regions — Piedmont, Lombardy, Emilia-Romagna and Veneto — will ban diesel vehicles meeting Euro 5 standards (roughly 2009–2015 models). The restrictions cover cities like Venice and Milan. Many motorhomes, often kept for decades, may not comply, affecting travel plans.