Seaside Italy

Italy has a very long coastline and we have travelled nearly all of it now and have come to the conclusion that it is one long overdeveloped string of cheap hotels and camping villages. Most of the towns are pretty tacky and long stretches of the coast are very boring with flat strips of grey sand meeting flat blue water. Inbetween all these are some really amazing coastal areas and wonderful beaches though. Our favourites included Gallipoli, Tropea and Maratea. Most Europeans like a summer holiday at the sea and as long as the sun is shining and they can rent a beach chair and an umbrella on a strip of sand, they seem happy. Staying in campsites at the beach, gives you a wonderful insight into Italian holiday life. It seems that the extended family moves lock, stock and barrel from the city to their caravan or cabin by the sea. Everyone loves living right on top of each other. There are no early risers and after breakfast everyone hits the beach. The team of teenage entertainment organisers hold aerobics, volleyball and bocce on the beach. After lunch, siesta is strictly observed until 4pm, when everyone returns to the beach. After dinner, at 9pm, organised caberet shows are held, with guests and all the kids joining in. This is followed by a disco of bad pop music and all the favourite "join in" songs like Macarena and YMCA ,until midnight when everyone goes to bed. And it is always the same,every night, in every campsite. We stay up watching episodes of House or Sopranos until lights out time.