A swimming camp in Italy has been among the top destinations for Dutch and Belgian competitive swimmers for years. But Italy is big, and by no means every region offers the same quality for a training camp. In this article we explain where you're best off and why Italy is so attractive in the first place.
Why Italy works for competitive swimming
- 50m pools in abundance — Italy has historically invested in competition infrastructure, partly thanks to Olympic success (Pellegrini, Paltrinieri, Ceccon)
- Climate — comfortable swimming weather from April to October, outdoors too
- Coaching culture — Italian swimming coaches are known for their technical precision and race tactics
- Easy to reach from the Netherlands and Belgium — a flight of 1.5-2.5 hours, easy for minors
Italy = the May half-term at ZwemExpert
At ZwemExpert we run our Italy camp specifically in the May half-term. That is the ideal moment: just after the short-course nationals, with 10 weeks until the first summer competitions. See ZwemExpert Competitive Swimming Summer Camp 2026 for all the details.
Our summer camp is in Spain (Torremolinos), not in Italy. Italy is our May half-term destination.
The best regions for a training camp
Northern Italy (Lombardy, Veneto)
Many quality pools, often with altitude-training facilities too (above 800m elevation). A little cooler in May, ideal for swimmers who can't handle extreme heat. Easily reached via Milan or Bergamo.
Central Italy (Tuscany, Umbria)
A combination of good infrastructure and cultural sites. A destination for smaller camps, often on estates with a private pool. Our ZwemExpert Competitive Swimming Summer Camp 2026 is in this region.
Southern Italy (Puglia, Calabria)
Warm, sunny, with more and more hotels investing in 50m pools. A serious option for external summer camps (not with ZwemExpert). Fly to Bari or Lamezia Terme.
What do you look for in an Italian swimming camp location?
- Exclusive use of the pool — shared with hotel guests = problems. Look for accommodation that blocks the pool for your group during training times.
- Pool depth — at least 1.80m deep
- Outdoor or indoor pool? For the May half-term we recommend an indoor pool or a covered outdoor pool (risk of rain).
- Distance from pool to bedroom — more than a 5-minute walk = energy loss that adds up
What does a typical Italian swimming-week programme include?
- Two sessions per day in a 50m pool
- Italian cuisine — adapted for athletes with plenty of pasta, fish and vegetables
- A rest day with culture or the beach
- Evening programmes (theory, mental training, competition simulation)
Practical: flight, transport, paperwork
- Flight from Schiphol or Brussels, a supervised group flight
- Bus transfer from the airport to the location
- Passport or ID card valid for at least 6 months after the return date
- European insurance with a sports clause — check this before departure
What does a swimming camp in Italy cost?
Budget €1,900-€2,400 for a week, all-inclusive (supervised flight and transfer, full board, all sessions). For more info about the 2026 May half-term camp: ZwemExpert Competitive Swimming Summer Camp 2026 . Questions? Get in touch.