OPEN DECK for CAMPING CARS and CARAVANES.

As per Italian Authorities Guardia Costiera "Camping Onboard" is authorized with some limitations: (circ dd 06/08/1998 Prot. n. 87/004387/Sic.Nav.).

In Italy too the word camping car is used!

Yes, they certainly call them camping cars in France. (Just because hetmij lives in Europe doesn't mean she knows what things are called everywhere in Europe!)

In Italy, they can also be called camping cars, but that's mainly because so many French drive to Italy in their camper cars. Italians also call them caravans because the British do, and I've even seen the term "motorhome" in Italy. But to each other, Italians generally call them campers.

It's also true that camp sites can be very convenient to large cities in Italy, and there are also campsites in many scenic places, by the seas, the lakes and in the wine country.

oldognan,

Here's some links to camper travel in Italy

http://www.reidsitaly.com/planning/lodging/rving.html

http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...p-to-italy.cfm

http://www.guardian.co.uk/travel/201...lidays-camping

If you are going to Scandinavia I would certainly recommend looking at a camper as an option. However, I honestly think a camper is more of a headache in Italy or France, specially given the fact that you could rent a nice apartment/house very cheaply. Given the cost of fuel and the added risk of a costly breakdowns I really do not get the appeal of a camper for a European vacation which focus is not natural parks...

Viajero2,

I really don't know the costs of a camper van, so I can't compare, but Italy's cities are actually an extremely small part of Italy, and it seldom takes more than an half hour to find oneself in a scenic place just beyond the city. Many Northern Europeans from Scandanavia, the Netherlands and Belgium drive campervans to the Riviera and other parts of Italy. it is a popular way to go.

No one has given hard numbers. A quick Google search indicates that a three week rental starting and ending in Milan for a motorhome with only 2 beds will cost $4700 with a 150 km. daily limit--perhaps something cheaper can be found. I think that train travel and and low cost accommodations would be more sensible, given that the OPs "don't want to travel extensively".