Camped beside Lake Garda, only two campsites here so just checked out next door, couple of Euros cheaper but my site is better...nice restaurant and bar, smaller etc etc.
Figured by looking at the Hotels beside the lake and calibre $ $ $ of cars parked outside they would be well out of my budget...
Well got here after a several adventures. It was an energy sapping day with 35+ degrees and very humid - never drunk so much water and soft drink in a day. My start is getting later and later ... 11am today with a 7.30 pm check into this camp site. Stopped at many service stations as they were air conditioned to cool off... Made some rare gear mistakes on this trip - clothes are just too hot for Europe summer touring, leather pants and my jacket are just too hot in 35 + degrees. Not only do you sweat you cook mentally. Stopped a few times to calm down and cool down. Managed to avoid the 'red mist' moments but today got close. If you give Italians enough room in front of you to fit a smart car (yes the length of my motorbike) - they will overtake you, if you should stray off centre of your lane for a nats whisker- they will overtake (or undertake) you. Pat mentioned that when you get near to Milano, you will have to do a ton (160 km per hour) or you will have fast cars up your behind (putting in politely...). Well yes I experienced that today, not Porches but Audis and Mercedes and the fastest 'empty hearse' I've ever seen + 160 km per hour - perhaps they were late for a funeral... So you either drive at 80 km per hour (truck speed) or about 140-160 km per hour! Tried the back roads and they were not much better, full of cheap truck companies (not willing to pay the freeway tolls) and poor roads mixed with small towns with cross walks and 50 km speed limits. Driving the back roads did allow me to see another side of Italy, deprivation + + and closed down factories. I was starting to wonder why there were so many immigrants hitch hiking beside the road in bikinis or tight dresses - ahhh that's because they were selling the local wares...something you would not see back home. Noticeably more expensive here, camp site almost last nights hotel price, fuel- paid E 220 euros for a litre today. Tomorrow relax a bit, swim in lake research mountain biking experience...low km if not a no km day...book perhaps a stroll beside Lake Garda.
On reflection I think riding in the Pyrenees and Spain is better - quieter roads and nicer climate. Hate to say it but Pat did suggest that...wisdom is a wonderful thing. Tomorrow may search a more remote place - which is my preference ...