From 5 to 2...

[sapto]

Last year we had almost five weeks to travel around Austria, Germany/Bavaria Part and Slovenia with our three month son.
This year we had to shorten our time as life circumstances had changed (wife is working again) and we had to split in a two week and maybe a one week trip.

We are planning to go to Umag/Istria in Croatia and want to do two stopps on our way there (Bergamont in Italy and Wine Camping Saksida Slovenia). We‘ll keep you posted

 

[sapto]

So we started at 6 pm in Central Switzerland and it took us 3 hours to get to Bergamo in Italy (paid so fare around €30 toll). We had no major problems to cross the boarder or pass the Gotthard Tunnel (although they had some traffic jam in the morning: +4 hours).

We parked in the underground garage and enjoyed the freedom of a 2m van. We booked a room in the Winter Garden Hotel next to the airport and it was superb for our purpose: Get some rest and have the opportunity to start early in the morning.

We often speak about getting/saving for another/bigger MH but we got a „big bath/living room“so still no option for us.

 

[sapto]

After breakfast we started to drive in direction of Triest (A4) to enter Slovenia (A34/H4 and then the 204). There were quite a few construction sites and sometimes they slowed down the traffic but we only had once kind of a „traffic jam/stop n‘ go“. Our goal was to spend a night in „Saksida“. We‘ve been here twice (summer and autumn) and we like the idea of staying next to a vineyard.
Ingrid and her team were great again and the place was busy and our impression was that the facilities almost couldn‘t cope with this amount of people. However we are def back!

Home - Vina Saksida

Our services Saksida Estate in Vipava valley Reservation Reservation Recent news Our estate is a part of ART CIRCLE and every year we host academic artists at the campsite. During their stay they visualize and create great artistic pieces which then decorate the estate. This year we will be...

www.vinasaksida.com

 

[sapto]

Edit: Saksida is great for kids with the small pool and playground.

 

[sapto]

After some rain and temp around 20 degrees celcius we left Saksida the next morning. BTW next to us a nice Ford Nugget, a T4 but we were the only California here.

We drove to the boarder of Croatia on the A1 and changed in Koper to the 11. There was little stop n go but all in all only +15 min and we arrived in Istria (this time we didn‘t stop in Piran however can def recommend to do it).

Although I‘ve been on Island Cres, Krk and next to Novalja (Pag) we‘ve missed the Norther part of Croatia. Time to get to know this area!

Travelling with our son was great so far. We started around 11 am and he soon fell asleep.

BTW: We only took our Thule Cross 1 with us and our bicycles. Fits us so far.

 

[sapto]

Almost forgot to say: We arrived happily in Camp Finida (about 200 pitches) between Umag (5km) and Novigrad (10km). A lot of MH/caravans (D, NL, I, SLO, HR) and only about 5 Tx (1xT3, 2xT5&2xT6).
Sunset in the evening.

Shade is key and we have a nice place here!

I would recommend the classic pitches (Seafront isn‘t really seafront or you haven‘t got any trees for shade).
EDIT: Pitch 121 looks great but no trees.

Camping Finida in Umag, Istria, Croatia - Plava Laguna

www.istracamping.com

More pictures will follow as the homepage pics are „older“ ones.

The camping got three washing blocks, a small restaurant and a shop.

 

[sapto]

Get some bread and sweets here:

7 am until 1 pm

Or visit the shop until 9 pm to get almost everything you might need.

 

[sapto]

Pitch 130 was perfect mix with shade and sun. 3 pitches away from the sea&we could see the sea from top bed

Close to the bathroom nr 2 (nr 1&3 were little more comfortable, however they were also very close to our pitch).

Yesterday sunset. You can see the seafront pitches with no trees at all. Always personal decision but we prefer some shade.

 

[TripleBee]

Nice story and nice pictures.

This is why we have a California. To make these wonderfull trips.

 

[sapto]

We took our bikes with us and rode the 5 km to Umag. Small/nice town with some serious shopping (Konzum/Plodine) and also some souvenier shops with salt, beach wear, toys and cute caffees and a harbour.
IMO not as beautiful as Piran (SLO) but worth a visit and maybe we just didn‘t see the „cool“ places.

On our way to Umag we rode halfway next to the sea or on specific cycling paths (last part arriving from Camp Finida).

 

[sapto]

Alright time to say goodbye to Camping Finida. All in all:
- Great site for kids (dogs were not allowed on the sandy beach but there were plenty of spots for dogs)
- Not too many pitches
- Friendly
- Very calm and silent (honestly you could hear the 502 at night - didn‘t bother us)
- Got everything you need
- No „kids programm/shows“

To remember:
- Classic pitch is great (look for numbers around 120-130
- Contact them ahead makes things easier
- They do have some overnight spaces i front of the camping, when you arrive late and are in a hurry in the morning.

 

[sapto]

We are driving South to visit Novigrad.
Tipp: Google for Plodine or Konzum at the beginning of the centre: Free parking up to two hour (Ulica Carlotte Grisi 1
52466 Novigrad). 5 min walk to the old town.

Novigrad was wonderful: Medival town with harbour and some nice places to swim along to the city wall. So do not forget your towel.

We stroll around and found a nice playground with shade right next to the famous church (15kn to enter the tower, Veliki trg).

 

[sapto]

After Novigrad we arrived in Rovinj Camping Val Saline. Coming from Camp Finida to this place was kind of a difference. There weren‘t any kids animation nor sports programm here there are several activities and shows. It doesn‘t bother us so far we just weren‘t aware of this kind of camping.

Playground for kids is save and great

Pool 1

Washing blocks and pool is great and clean. It would say fancy and new to us. Separate rooms for families.

 

[burnercan]

Sitting back at home after our few weeks on the road, it's great to see a thread like this to follow along with another journey! Keep the great pics and reviews coming. Many thanks!!

 

[sapto]

Our Pitch is huge. We are not used to such big spaces with water and shade. Situated next to the pool/besch bar and reception, it‘s a „Comfort“ pitch a little bit above the „mainroad“.

Sunset

 

[sapto]

Yesterday evening we had storm and thunder. However everything went okay. Lower the roof, wind in the awening and fold down the bed. Easy

Our son‘s getting some teeth so that was more challenging but he‚s fine and today is sunny again. We are planning our further trip as we soon have to be back home. Ideas are to spend another night somewhere in Istria or drive to Camp Danica, do a short walk in Ljubljana (one of my favourit capitals in Europe) or we drive home through Italy again.

 

[andrejab1]

Weather's supposed to be really nice in the next few days in Slovenia

 

[sapto]

Some more pictures about the camping
Spa&Wellness

Restaurant

Some of the super Mare pitches

Sunset at the beach (stone)

Own mini harbour

You can see two roofs...

Camping wildlife

 

[sapto]

Time to say goodbye again to Camp Val Saline.
Some thoughts about it:
- Good/superb facilities (washing blocks)
- Great place for kids (mini club&sport)
- Great sport facilities (soccer, basketball, tennis and mini golf - I think everything is free except tennis).
- The beach is long enough and offers variouse sort of shade (chairs for free)
- Different sort of pitches (important to check them first on sight). We loved our 144! Water and shade
- Bus connection to Rovinj (around HRK 40)
- Shop with all kind of products incl mini camper shop (adapters, carpets, tarps)
- Fruit and vegetable shop offers great value for the price
- Beach bar at the pools is nice
- Pool are great for kids
- Camping is clean and the staff is friendly.

For 3 nights (2 adults, 1 baby) in the comfort zone we paid 1569 HRK/CHF 230.

Would we come again: Yes, def!

 

[chez786]

great thanks for sharing

 

[TripleBee]

Wow, that is not cheap.

 

[sapto]

Weather's supposed to be really nice in the next few days in Slovenia

Yes we hope so! Went for lunch to Piran and head North now

When around the coast of Slovenia: Piran is defo a place to visit. Parking is - depending on time and day - easy. However today we had to find an alter ative to the „main“ parking just before you enter Piran. We followed thw signs „Fiesa“ and found a parking next to a cementry/doctor-building.
From here we walked from top-bottom to Piran and had a fantastic view of it (otherwise you walk along the sea).

 

[sapto]

Wow, that is not cheap.

No it wasn‘t. But we enjoyed it. Returning to Slovenia: we had to stop at Saksida! Pool, host and location is just great. A lot of kids, one Beach and dinner with sunset&wine.

Home - Vina Saksida

Our services Saksida Estate in Vipava valley Reservation Reservation Recent news Our estate is a part of ART CIRCLE and every year we host academic artists at the campsite. During their stay they visualize and create great artistic pieces which then decorate the estate. This year we will be...

www.vinasaksida.com

 

[TripleBee]

I know what you mean.
The trip makes it all up.
Thanks for sharing your vacation pictures!

 

[sapto]

Ljubljana:
First of all this city needs/deserves way more than a couple of hours for lunch. As I wrote before you have so many things to do and see here. And to be honest it is still one of my fav capitals. 17 years ago I visited Ljubljana as part of a school trip and since the I kinda fell in love with this city.

But facts here: We parked in the garage Kapitelj and this is just 1 from centre. California (2.1m hight) parking at its best.
Great for kids: All the dragons around town, the castle/Grad, bridges, food market, touristic electro train.
We ate a lovely lunch (mixed plate, humus and satay) at Gostilna Vida, Gornji trg 15 and stroll around the shops.