Camping Bella Italia Peschiera, Lake Garda, Italy

Bella Italia they called this site. And it was a perfect little corner of Beautiful Italy. Sitting on the banks of the lake, postcard views on all sides, this was the ideal base for exploring and an ideal activity-packed site if you like to just hang out.

Our three-bedroom Vivaldi became a proper little mobile home from home for the fortnight and it was our fourth time with Thomson Al Fresco.

These guys know their geography. Each site carefully chosen, each area a holiday paradise.

Bella Italia had a fantastic pool complex . . . plus, tennis and basketball courts and soccer pitches. Or try the bike hire or watersports on the lake.

Magic The site also boats two fantastic restaurants - one right on the water's edge where you can make your way through the menu as the sun sets across the water.

The area is old Italy at its best. Ancient cobbled streets, market days, pavement cafes and restaurants with work-ofart pizzas. And from here you can catch a boat to all corners of the lake.

This area is a jewel of Italy. Where mountains meet water, Garda is dotted with adventures to be had.

For a start we were within three miles of the country's biggest theme park Gardaland with white-knuckle rides to give Orlando a run for its money.

And there's Movieworld, a film-based theme park with scary rides like the Tower of Terror, stunt shows and haunted houses.

Next door to that is a huge waterpark with enough flumes and slides to satisfy any daredevil kid.

But the real magic is not in the commercial attractions - it's the natural beauty. Hire a car and navigate the circumference of the lake and explore the ancient towns where, if the terracotta tiled roofs had the power of speech, they'd be singing opera to the heavens.

Malcesine is magnificent, jutting out into the clear water on one side and dominated by the ice-capped peak of Monte Baldo on the other. As you make your way round the lake - negotiating the snakes of Italian Sunday drivers (but, hey, what's the rush anyway) - a little, selfcontained world unfolds.

You'll pass through towns like Torbole and Riva, more touristy but nonetheless attractive resorts. And you'll hit the tangy delights of Limone, one of the most unusual and magical locations I've experienced.

Heading back to our base, Sirmione is a (not so hidden) treasure. It's a favourite with both tourists and Italians. It's one of the lake's oldest communities . . . a walled town built on a peninsula stretching out into the blue.

As you enter over a drawbridge past the moatsurrounded castle it's just like a film set.

Further afield is the wonderful city of Verona. If you know your Shakespeare, this is one of that Bard boy's literary targets. And you can get your photo taken on the balcony Juliet perched on to get Romeo all hot and bothered.

Thomson Al Fresco holidays are so good because they tease you with the surroundings and tempt you to put on an explorer's hat - but you can easily stay on the campsite and laze.

And there are bars, a fruit and veg shop, internet cafe and amusement arcade, newsagent. . . . even a toy shop.

The accommodation's a treat too. Our air-conditioned mobile home had three bedrooms, a big lounge/diner/kitchen, shower-room and bathroom.

Si, this break was MOLTO BUONO, with Bellas on it!

Go Lake Garda - A Week for two adults and up to three children in a Puccini luxury mobile home at Bella Italia, Lake Garda, Italy costs from £249. Thomson Al Fresco offers luxury mobile home holidays across Europe on 44 of the best parks in France, Spain, Portugal, Holland and Croatia.

To book or to find out more information visit www. thomsonalfresco.co.uk. Alternatively, call 0871 231 3292.