Holiday park de Italiaanse Meren

We stayed for 4 nights on Field D with private restroom facilities. Great campground, but the private restroom facilities didn’t have any heating, so using the restroom was uncomfortably “cold.” Even the nice, warm shower afterward wasn’t quite as pleasant. We solved the problem with a small space heater, which quickly warmed up the small room. Otherwise, a very nice campground with very friendly staff!

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The Italian Lakes, or How My Wife Els and I Traveled Abroad Without Leaving the Netherlands.

My wife Els had decided to cycle to Italy. I had decided not to stand in her way. After all, a marriage is based on mutual understanding, and where that is lacking, on a tandem bike.

We would set out from Harderwijk. Hundreds of kilometers, … perhaps thousands, because in her mind Els had already conquered the Alps, greeted the pope, and purchased a modest vineyard.

As for myself, I had brought along nothing but bread, a raincoat, and a deep-seated longing for a decent restroom.

After some discussion—which mainly consisted of Els talking and me staying silent—we decided that Winterswijk was also a kind of Italy. After all, it was also south of Harderwijk, and geographical accuracy has never been the strongest aspect of our marriage.

The trip was 114 kilometers. For six hours we pedaled through God’s creation, with Els repeatedly asking when the Alps would come into view.

“After the next bend, honey,” I replied.

The Alps never appeared.

Upon arrival, we found a beautiful vacation park, with water, trees, pleasant restrooms, and an atmosphere that was unmistakably Mediterranean—provided one was willing to bend the truth a bit.

Els was delighted.

“See, Harm! We’re in Italy!”

I looked at a Dutch trailer, a hedge, and a man in sandals draining his potatoes.

“Yes, sweetheart,” I said. “Lake Garda has certainly gone downhill over the years.”

The park itself was excellent. Everything was well-maintained, the atmosphere was superb, and the stay was a blessing for our tired limbs.

The only things missing were the Italians. And the mountains. And Italy itself.

I’m giving it 4 stars. I’m holding back the fifth until someone can explain to me why, for an Italian vacation, we cycled for six hours only to end up in the Achterhoek.

Els is already talking about our next trip to the French Riviera.

I’ve already found a campground in Ermelo.

Harm, also on behalf of my wife Els, who still believes we crossed the Alps. Read more Show less

Great place, friendly staff—what more could you ask for!!!!

A beautiful, well-maintained campground divided into several sections. Trees block TV reception at some campsites. There are several modern restroom facilities.
Internet is available for free. The extra charge for the campsites isn’t worth it because the so-called bathroom is small, impractical to use (everything gets splashed), and unheated. … The so-called fishing ponds didn’t appeal to us. The staff is helpful and very friendly.
We’d love to come back here. Read more Show less