Arco & The Italian Dolomites - Summer 2009

Meet Leaders: Steve Ratcliffe, Hanya Gilbert, Jacqui Halford & Brian Davies.
 

Dates: Saturday 25th July - Saturday 8th August 2009.

Location: Arco - Lake Garda - Trentino - Italy.

NOTE ADDED AUGUST 2008: Please be aware that due to current political issues in Italy this meet may well be moved to a similar area in the Ecrin, France.

Overview:  We are planning to spend two weeks in the Climbing Mecca that is Arco, Italy.  Located at the north end of Lake Garda  with it's Mediterranean micro-climate, Arco isn't just about climbing, also the ideal location for water sports various, walking, sight seeing, arts and culture or just a relaxing family holiday in the sun!  The town is old and picturesque, with the medieval castle perched some 300m high on a rocky buttress above the narrow streets littered with pavement cafes and shops various.  Arco has a very healthy supply of ice cream parlours and pizzerias, both of which stay open late into the warm summer nights as the sun goes down and the authentic bars and restaurants come to life. 

If clipping bolts in the sun is your bag, Arco is your place, there are literally thousands of routes of every grade within minutes of the campsite, apparently the highest density in Italy!  Mountain walking and the well renowned via ferattas of the Dolomites are also well within reach, there are several lower level vias around Arco, with the high and exciting Brenta region only an hours drive away.

In short the opportunities are endless, there is literally something for everyone!  A trip not to be missed!

Logistics:  The dates stated are Saturday to Saturday, but bear in mind it would comfortably take two days to get down to Arco from Leicester by car.  If you do intend to drive, we would recommend getting an early ferry on Saturday morning, taking a night in a cheap hotel in southern Germany on Saturday night before finishing off the journey on Sunday to arrive in Arco mid afternoon.  It is possible to get the afternoon ferry on Friday, drive a couple of hours the other side before getting a nights sleep and doing the rest of the journey to arrive in Arco on Saturday night, this is a mission though!  Assuming arrival on Sunday Afternoon, you can then spend 11 nights on the Campsite at Arco.  It's advisable to get a good start on the Saturday of departure, a full days driving could put you in Belgium, have a night in a motel to get a late morning ferry on the Sunday arriving back in Leicester mid afternoon to get sorted and rested for Monday.  If enough people wanted to follow this suggested itinerary it would be worth taking a minibus.

If you wanted to fly, it is easiest to fly into Verona, which is just south of Lake Garda, and around 1 hour by car from Arco - you could get someone to pick you up or consider renting a car.  Alternatively you can get a train from Verona to Rovereto which is then only 20mins away from Arco if someone is collecting you.  As far as I know the only airline to do cheap rides into Verona are Ryan air, from Stan(shed)stead.  If you are considering hiring a car, there are other options, for example, Innsbruck is not too far and has flights from just about all UK airports.

Accommodation:  Depending on the preferences of those going (and availability) we will use one or other of the following campsites, both of which are located at the foot of the castle cliff, within walking distance of the town centre.  Han and I stayed on both sites last year, both are more than suitable, but each has pro's and con's as you will read below.  I point out downfalls in the sites not to put anyone off,  but to help you choose which site you would prefer, both are excellent places to spend a holiday and we will make a group decision nearer the time as to which one we use.

Both sites include electric hook-up on every pitch, use of all the facilities and sports courts etc as standard (this is the case throughout the most of Italy, unlike French sites for example that charge for electric etc separately).

• Camping Arco (http://www.camping.it/english/trentino/arco/info.asp); This site was built relatively recently and is noticeably newer in appearance than Camping Zoo, it has a whole host of facilities, including tennis courts, badminton and a bouldering wall (see their website for a full run-down).  The site is effectively the towns municipal campsite and is located next to the municipal (Olympic size) swimming pool, which you have free use of during it's opening hours (usually 9am - 5pm - there are however strict rules, silly swimming hats and jobs worth lifeguards, so arsing about is kept to a minimum).  There are a large number of toilet and shower blocks that are all pretty new, although we did find that these were not kept overly clean when the site was especially busy, there were also times when the hot water ran out in the older shower block.  Pitches are very large and easily cater for the large standard issue club tents, or those taking caravan's, some are amongst the tree's near the river, and others in open fields with some tree's for a bit of shelter.  There is free wireless internet around the shop and reception etc, and the usual host of washing and drying facilities on coin operated machines.  Camping Arco is the more expensive option, fee's can tot up here as they do charge for dogs and additional cars unlike the Zoo.

• Camping Zoo (http://www.camping.it/english/trentino/zoo/info.asp); This site has been around a bit longer, in fact quite a lot longer, as those who visited Arco much earlier in their climbing careers (Brian) remember it, and by the sounds of things to be much the same is it is now.  Located about 1km further out along the same road as Camping Arco, also on the banks of the river sarca, Camping Zoo is set in a peaceful spot, mostly amongst the tree's, a little more rudimentary than Camping Arco, but much less strict about being quiet at night etc.  The site has all the same range of toilet and shower facilities, although older, we found them to be nice and clean and always plentiful with the hot water.  The guy in the reception/shop is very friendly and always keeps a stock of ice cold beers in the fridge for a reasonable enough price to warrant several trips in an evening!  Camping Zoo has less sports facilities, but does however have it's own swimming pool which is pretty large and stays open till the reception shuts (usually around 11pm).  Washing machines and tumble driers available on coin meters.  There is a nice pizzeria/bar about 500m up the road for nights out without walking all the way into town.

Costs; As with everything at the moment, the costs are going to be higher than we might like... and I will tell you no lies - holidays in Europe are no longer a particularly cheap option!  There are however ways of minimising the costs (such as sharing the giant pitches that you get on these campsites), and camping is still the best value for money option for us adventurous types!  Most importantly, what price can you put on the laughs and good times that will be every minute of this trip?

I have tried to be as thorough here as possible and working prices out at the current rate of 1.20E to the GBP, assuming 13 nights on the campsite in Arco, and allowing for a nights accommodation during the travelling either way...

• Campsite Fees;  Average cost for a pitch including 2 adults, vehicle, electricity and use of all facilities as explained above is £305 at Camping Arco and £271 at Camping Zoo. (Additions per night are: Camping Arco - Adults £6.90, Children(3-11) £5.80, Dogs £3.40, Cars £4.20.  Camping Zoo - Adults £6.25, Children(2-12) £5.40, Extra Cars and Dogs Free).

• Transport Costs, Driving;  Ferry crossing prices are not yet available but expect to pay £70 for a standard car at this time of year - maybe more - with up to 5 passengers, it is 980 miles driving from Leicester to Arco through Germany (no auto route tolls) if your car is reasonably economic you might expect a per mile cost of around 12 pence at current fuel prices, making these assumptions your car may well munch through £240 worth of fuel for the round trip... if you think this is a lot, you are welcome to take my van! 

• Transport Costs, Flying; Ryan Air Stanstead to Verona based on same dates this year £275.00 for 2 adults return - you are highly likely to get a much better deal than this booking for next year well in advance, you can either then hire a car, or get the train direct to Rovereto which is 20mins from Arco for someone to collect you.

• Food & Entertainment;  how long is a piece of string?  Supermarket shopping is pretty comparable to budgeting at home, only fresh fruit and traditional fare is of much better quality and value for money.  Beer and wine is pretty cheap from the supermarket, but relatively expensive in bars and restaurants.  Pizza or pasta main dishes in a restaurant would cost around £8 and the pizza's are huge.  It is possible to have a great holiday here without spending a huge amount in restaurants and bars, entertainment is largely the lake with it's beeches, and the hills around us, so the costs here are mostly minimal.

Further information regarding the activities and climbing will be posted later... along with more detailed costing.  Feel free to contribute from your research.