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In March, we welcomed Flo our gleaming VW T6.1 Camperking conversion into the family. Little did we know she’d soon be whisking us across Europe on a whirlwind adventure filled with alfresco dining, jaw-dropping scenery, and a few unforgettable mishaps.
Chapter One: France, Fondue and Fiamma Fumbles
Our journey began with Le Shuttle, which transported us into Mesnil-Saint-Père, before we continued to Space 610 Lac Bleu in Annecy also known as the Venice of the Alps. It quickly became apparent that Annecy was one of the most magical destinations we had ever experienced. With our Cadac Safari Chef 30 sizzling away and the comfort of the rock-and-roll bed, Flo proved her worth as a travel companion from the very first day.
The return journey took us through Avignon, Marseille, Cassis, and Dijon, with temperatures soaring to 40°C and above. During this leg, we camped at Gigny Sur Saône, Sennercy Le Grand, and St. Quentin before reboarding Le Shuttle. One important lesson emerged: our Air Cove drive-away awning was cumbersome during short, two-night stays, particularly in the heat. As a result, we upgraded to attachable Fiamma sides, which proved far easier to put up and take down, and have since become our go-to choice.
Chapter two: Italy, Michelin Moments, and Mont Blanc Mayhem
On 4th September, Flo ushered us into the second phase: our Amalfi Coast adventure. We navigated through Dijon, Arran, Orsières, and Aosta. Due to maintenance work on the Mont Blanc tunnel, we were rerouted via the Alps St Bernard pass. After traversing hundreds of tunnels and conquering nerve-wracking climbs, we emerged with white knuckles and a deep appreciation for Swiss and Italian engineering.
Crossing into Italy, we were briefly stopped by the local constabulary but waved on without explanation! Our first Italian stop was Fornella Camping on the shores of Lake Garda pure bliss. We then followed a scenic route through Florence to the Amalfi Coast, encountering even more tunnels along the way. A special treat was our stay in Montepulciano at the Villa Svetoni Wine Resort, where dinner at Osmosi a Michelin-starred, dog-friendly gem was truly exquisite. If ever in the area, come hungry and adventurous.
Chapter three: Amalfi Coast - Sorrento Storms and Red Ant Regrets
On 11th September, we arrived at Villaggio Campeggio Santa Fortunata in Sorrento. Unfortunately, our arrival coincided with a storm and an invasion of red ants, leading to some regrets. The campsite was dated, the facilities disappointing, and the ant bites were relentless. On our first night, we dined at the onsite restaurant and witnessed a guest dispute over being charged for a more expensive bottle of wine than ordered. When we returned the following night, the same trick was attempted on us, but we refused to pay the difference. Lesson learned: always consult the reviews before booking.
Despite these setbacks, Sorrento, Positano, and Capri was stunning. Princess Maisie the Cavapoo was welcomed everywhere, including on ferries and in several excellent eateries.
On our departure day, we left early to avoid the morning rush, not realising it coincided with the end of the Italian holidays and the return to school. Napoli was chaos, with parents and children packed onto mopeds. It was nerve-wracking, but the views of Pompeii more than compensated for the challenges and sudden stops along the way
Chapter four: Pisa, Pitigliano, and the Final Push
Travelling north, we paused in Serrano and tackled Tuscany’s winding hairpin bends, with the medieval city of Pitigliano standing out as spectacular. An overnight stay in Pisa proved worthwhile, thanks to the local buses being both dog-friendly and free. San Remo provided one last dose of coastal beauty before Flo carried us home via Nice, tired but triumphant.
Final thoughts: Flo Forever
We ended our journey shattered, sun-kissed, and slightly bitten, but the experience was unforgettable. Flo, our dependable VW T6.1 Camperking, managed every challenge with ease. We are already looking forward to our next adventure.
To fellow Camperking owners: invest in quality equipment, always read campsite reviews, and appreciate the joy of a well-packed Cadac. Europe awaits and Flo is ready.
Thank you to Mark and Kathy for writing this brilliant blog piece for us! We are thrilled that you are enjoying your new T6.1 conversion, Flo!
At CamperKing, we offer a range of campervan models designed to suit different travel styles. Pop into one of our showrooms or book an appointment to speak to one of our team today!
