Postcard from Lago d'Iseo

The late-summer sun has deserted us for our stop-over at Lago d’Iseo, one of the lesser-known Italian lakes. We arrived at Camping Sassabanek, a lakeside holiday camp, in sunshine: the pressure has dropped and we have had thunderstorms through the night and this morning – our third day here.

We are a short walk away from the town of Iseo on the south-eastern shore of the lake. There’s a small harbour, pier and promenade. There are stylish shops and outdoor cafes in the back streets, and restaurants at the water’s edge. In the town centre is a statue of Garibaldi, a famous local lad. (No! he didn’t invent a biscuit). This is mainly an Italian resort with comparatively few Northern European visitors. It’s at its best when the sun shines!

We’re here to enjoy the culture of the Veneto region; to swim in the outdoor pools (closed due to lightning risk), and to rendezvous with our chums, Pat & Ray, who are touring the Lakes. We first met them in Croatia three years ago. This morning we all walked into the town to visit the market; unfortunately, the mother of all rainstorms caught us and we ended up sheltering at the pier, watching the rain lash about us, as the thunder rolled around the mountains.

The site here at Iseo is one of two large holiday and sports complexes at the southern edge of the town. There are several small campsites to the north. The campers here are mainly Italian families in semi-permanent encampments with awnings and canopies, kitchen sinks and televisions. Surprisingly, the sound levels are kept well down so they don’t all have to watch the same channel!

It’s drying up now, but the forecast is for more of the same. We leave on Sunday towards Trieste and a two-night stop at Aquilea, near Grado.

Camping Sassabanek used to be an ACSI discount site, but is no longer. For info on this site go to

http://www.sassabanek.it/en/home