An agreeable site close to the route from Saint Gotthard to the south, Riarena may appeal both to those who are looking for a convenient night stop and to those seeking a holiday site, as it has a medium sized swimming pool and a children’s pool. Most of the site is covered by tall trees and is in a peaceful setting, although regular trains pass by. The 210 pitches (150 for touring units) are now all individually marked, with 10A electricity connections available. July is the busiest month – there is usually space at other times. There may be some aircraft noise from a small airfield nearby.

Camping Delta is an easy 800 m. walk or cycle ride from the centre of the lovely lakeside town of Locarno. It has a prime position right by the lake, with bathing direct from the site between 07.00 and 22.00, and is next to the municipal lido and sports field. The site has some moorings on an inlet at one side, with a jetty. It has 250 level touring pitches (50-100 sq.m). They are marked out at the rear but with no other demarcation, giving an informal mix of all kinds of camper. Waterside pitches are premium priced.

Paradiso Lago sits against a backdrop of beautiful wooded mountains and is an ideal site if you are stopping to explore the towns around Lake Lugano. Its 200 grassy pitches, some open some with shade, have 6A electricity hook-ups and slope gently down to the water’s edge where there is a small pebble beach. The lake provides plenty of opportunities for recreation, with swimming, fishing, diving, windsurfing and water-skiing. A motorway and a railway line run close to the site, so some noise is inevitable.

Camping Lugano is a modern south-facing site leading onto Lake Lugano. It must rank as one of the better sites in Switzerland for a complete family holiday. There are 250 numbered pitches (around 200 for touring units) all with 10A Europlug and 26 have water and drainage. Trees in most parts of the site offer shade to those who prefer less direct sunshine. Cars must be left in the car park, which makes the site less cluttered and safer for children. The site is only a short distance from the airport, so there will be some daytime aircraft noise. Roads have been re-laid and a marina has been built giving full access for watersports enthusiasts.

Meride is a small village in the extreme south of Switzerland close to the Italian border and not far from the A2/N2 motorway. The site is on a slight slope 1 km. from the village. There is space for 65 small touring units with 13A electricity connections available for all (long leads required). The pitches are not numbered or marked out but are level on terraces, mostly among tall trees. When the site is busy, units could be crowded, it is therefore requested that towing cars are parked outside. This site would make a good stopover, with a refreshing dip in the pool welcome at the end of a long journey.

Lido Mappo lies on the lakeside at the northeast tip of Lake Maggiore, about 5 km. from Locarno, and has views of the surrounding mountains and hills across the lake. The site is attractively laid out in rows of individual, numbered pitches, mostly demarcated by access roads or hedges. Mature trees provide plenty of shade. The pitches (357 for touring) are occupied by a mixture of tents, caravans and motorhomes; they vary in size, those by the lake cost more and must be booked by the week. Electricity (10-16A Europlug; long leads useful) is available on all pitches. With helpful, English-speaking staff, this is a quiet site with its own narrow, mainly sandy beach.

Locarno in Ticino, the most southern of the Swiss cantons, is a very popular holiday area with activities associated with lakes and mountains. Being in the north west of Locarno, Avegno is also a good base from which to visit Lake Maggiore and this part of northern Italy. There are a number of very good sites around, and we add this one to give as much choice as possible. During our stay we were impressed with the friendly, relaxed atmosphere. Peace and quiet is encouraged, so not a site for those who like to socialise late into the evening.

Now that most traffic uses the N2 motorway, the B2 Gotthard - Bellinzona one is used mainly by local vehicles and is, therefore, much quieter. Al Censo is a very pretty campsite with an abundance of flowers and shrubs and backed by a mountain face. Although the site is on a slope and levellers may be needed in places, the 138 pitches, all of which have electricity (6A), are level and amongst mature trees with an overflow section for tents just outside the entrance. Reception and a shop are in the entrance building, which has a small covered terrace where drinks are served. No arrivals between 12.00 and 14.00.