Anyone who’s spent even a few days camping knows there are certain secret rules — never written down, yet somehow everyone seems to know and follow them.
You won’t find them pinned to a notice board or printed in the official regulations… but they’re part of what it means to be a true camper — right up there with pitching a tent or patiently waiting your turn for the shower, towel over your shoulder.
We at Camping Village Rubicone have been watching these rules in action for years, always with a smile and a touch of fondness.
So today, we’re sharing them with you — with a pinch of humour… and who knows, by the end of this list, you might just find yourself saying, “Yes, I do that too!” 😉

1. Saying Hello Is Sacred (Even If You Meet Six Times a Day)

In the magical microcosm of camping, saying hello isn’t just good manners – it’s a true art form.
A secret language made up of barefoot “good mornings”, cheerful “enjoy your lunch!” shouted from under a parasol, and soft “good evenings” whispered on the way back from the beach, towel over your shoulder and the blissful look of someone who’s just broken their personal record for relaxation.
And yes, it still counts – especially if you’ve already chatted for half an hour by the sinks, bumped into each other several times around the campsite, or danced side by side at the baby disco with more enthusiasm than the kids themselves.
That’s just how camping works: every encounter is a new beginning.

And not saying hello?
Worse than forgetting the coffee in the moka pot.
Worse than leaving the pegs on a wet swimsuit.
Worse than claiming two sunbeds with one towel.
In short… almost a sacrilege!

At Rubicone, saying hello is a mark of belonging.
A small gesture that says, “We’re here, we see each other, we’re part of the same summer tribe.”

2. Breakfast Has Its Ritual (and Its Aroma)

At the campsite, breakfast isn’t just a meal – it’s a ritual.
A collective, multisensory experience made of smells, sounds, and sleepy smiles.

It all begins with the unmistakable aroma of the moka pot drifting between the pitches like a gentle wake-up call.
Then come the sounds: chairs scraping on the concrete, cups clinking, and that magical phrase echoing from the bar –
“Two cappuccinos and three croissants, please!”

There are the early birds, enjoying the silence with coffee and biscuits, and those who shuffle out to the veranda still in pyjamas and flip-flops, hair tousled but face glowing with joy.
And then there are the camping romantics – the heroes who bring a cream-filled doughnut to their still-sleepy partner, complete with a napkin and that proud smile that says, “I deserve a medal for this.”
But the real magic happens when breakfast turns into a social club: a quick chat with the neighbour, a tip about the day’s activities, a few laughs about last night’s mosquito adventures.
Breakfast at the campsite doesn’t run on time – it runs on moments.
And as long as there’s a moka pot bubbling or a croissant to share… the day can only start well.

3. The Camper Who Walks (Without Even Realising It)

At the campsite, even the self-proclaimed lazy ones end up walking miles every day.
Not for sport – but because that’s simply the rhythm of camping life.
The day begins with the mission “fresh bread from the market”, then back for breakfast, then off to the bar for coffee, a stroll to the beach to check if there are any new shells, a quick return because the buckets were forgotten, and out again for the kids’ activities… and it’s still not even lunchtime.
There’s always that moment – usually in the evening – when you stop for a second and think: “How many steps have I taken today?”
Spoiler: a lot. But so gently spread out through the day that you hardly notice.

A true camper walks by nature – with curious eyes, slow flip-flops, and an easy sense of time.
Every path is a chance to say hello to someone, discover a new tent that appeared overnight, or glance at the barbecue area – who knows, maybe it’s free tonight.
And if there’s one secret worth knowing, it’s this: thoughts tend to find their place when you walk without hurry, with the sky above you and sand still clinging to your ankles.
At the campsite, there are no true couch potatoes – only unconscious walkers… blissfully on the move.

4. Shoes? Optional, Not Mandatory

If you haven’t walked barefoot at least once — on the grass, the sand, or along the campsite path — you haven’t truly switched to camping mode yet.
Real campers know it: free feet are the ultimate symbol of freedom.
(And let’s be honest — finding your flip-flops under the tent is usually too long a quest to repeat every time.)

At first, you hesitate. “Shouldn’t I just put my flip-flops on?” you wonder, while rummaging under the tent between your backpack, an inflatable flamingo, and three lonely socks.
After the third attempt, you give up with quiet wisdom — and let your feet touch the ground. And that’s when the magic happens.

The grass is cool.
The sand is warm.
The path… a perfect mix of foot massage and sensory adventure.
Walking barefoot at the campsite is like saying: “I’m on holiday. No schedule, no shoes — and I love it that way.”

It’s a simple gesture, but a powerful one.
It makes you feel grounded, connected, relaxed.
And let’s admit it — no flip-flop can beat the feeling of wandering without a care, salt between your toes and the scent of coffee in the air.
Children have always known it.
Adults rediscover it every summer.
And Ruby? He’s been walking barefoot his whole life — or better said… ever since he was born with paws!

5. The Pool Is for Relaxing (and Maybe Making Friends!)

The Rubicone pool isn’t just the kingdom of cool water – it’s one of the true beating hearts of campsite life.
Here you’ll find whole families unwinding, excited kids running towards the spray park, book lovers searching for that perfect spot with no glare on the page… and others simply soaking up the sun with one foot in the water and a peaceful look on their face.
It’s a place where everyone finds their own rhythm:
those who want to socialise exchange a few friendly words with the neighbour on the next sunbed (“Lovely day today, isn’t it?” — a timeless classic), while those seeking quiet find it beneath the shade of a parasol, listening to the soft whisper of the water.
Some start their day with an energising swim, others treat themselves to a post-breakfast whirlpool,
and some are just there to watch the children play, splash, and laugh — finally enjoying a moment all to themselves.
The truth? There’s no rush at the pool.
Here at Rubicone, everyone finds their spot in their own time — whether it’s a shady lounger, a peaceful corner for reading,
or a deckchair near the edge to keep an eye on the little ones.
No races, no competition.
Just the pleasure of slowing down — and maybe discovering that the real holiday begins right there, in that pause.
And who knows… perhaps from a sunbed under the warm sun, a friendship might begin — one that lasts long after the holiday ends. 

6. Shared Grill, Shared Aroma

There’s a moment in every day at the campsite when the air changes.
It’s not the weather — it’s barbecue time at our park grill area!
As soon as the coals start glowing, a special energy fills the air:
the kind that only hungry campers know — the one that lets you recognise, eyes closed, the smell of sausages sizzling or peppers gently charring on the grill.
It doesn’t matter what time it is: even if you’ve just finished the last bite of melon… suddenly, you’re hungry again.
Because the barbecue isn’t just about cooking — it’s about connection.
A social ritual, a spontaneous chat, a friendly exchange of smiles.
It starts with, “Need a lighter?” and ends with a full-blown conversation about where to find the best piadina on the Riviera.
You can always spot the seasoned pros:
– they know exactly when to turn the ribs without losing the juices,
– they always bring an extra beer — just in case someone drops by,
– and they’ve got a spare plate ready, “so if anyone passes, they can join in!”

Because blowing, fanning, and coaxing the charcoal into perfection is a noble art.
Whoever keeps the fire alive deserves at least one sausage.
And Ruby?
With that incredible sense of smell, he knows instantly when the timing’s right.
But don’t worry — he never asks.
He just sits nearby, dreamy-eyed… taking notes for the next big barbecue night!

7. Everything Tastes Better Outdoors

Even last night’s tortellini, quickly reheated on the camping stove, somehow taste special here.
There’s something about camping life that turns every meal into a little moment worth remembering.
You don’t need gourmet dishes or fancy recipes — just a table in the shade, a chair, and the sky above your head.
Whether it’s a slow breakfast, a quick lunch after the beach, or a spontaneous dinner made from what’s left in the fridge,
every meal outdoors has a new flavour — simpler, lighter, happier.
Maybe it’s the sea air.
Maybe it’s because you cook slowly (when you cook at all).
Or maybe it’s simply because no one’s in a hurry to clear the table.
There’s chatting, tasting, laughing.
You raise a plastic cup as if it were crystal — and every bite becomes a memory.
Even a sandwich eaten with your feet in the sand somehow tastes extraordinary.
At the campsite, flavours are amplified — by freedom, by atmosphere, by emotion.
And no, it’s not just your imagination. It’s pure happiness.
Served with a side of sky, laughter… and maybe a little sand — but that never hurts. 

8. Kids Make Friends Before Adults (and Make Them Too!)

At the campsite, all it takes is a look and a ball on the ground — and kids become friends in exactly 0.2 seconds.
No introductions needed, no long bios like on WhatsApp.

It goes like this:
– “Hi, do you want to play?”
– “Yes!”
The end.

Ten minutes later, they’re forming a football team.
Half an hour later, they’re at the Mini Club together.
By evening, they’re asking to have dinner at each other’s pitches as if they’d been cousins forever.
And the parents?
At first, they exchange polite, knowing glances from a safe distance.
Then comes the inevitable moment:
“Hi! I’m the mum of the one with the blonde braid.”
“Oh yes! Mine’s the one in the dinosaur T-shirt — they’ve been inseparable since this morning!”

Next thing you know, they’re sitting at the bar sharing an aperitif, swapping tips on the best ice cream in the campsite, and laughing about their kids’ adventures.
That’s the magic of camping: friendship is contagious.
And often, it’s the little ones who remind us how it’s done — with simplicity, curiosity, and zero prejudice.
A bike, a bucket, a treasure hunt organised by the entertainment team… and just like that, a community is born.
At the end of the holiday, the kids hug and cry… and the grown-ups? They pretend they’re not moved — but they are.
Because, let’s be honest: in camping, the connections you make are real — and no filters needed. 

9. At the Campsite, Time Is Measured in Rituals, Not Hours

The true camper’s agenda?
Sunrise, coffee, beach, market, nap, evening show.
At Rubicone, the only clock that matters is the rhythm of a holiday day.
Forget alarms and calendars — life here flows with the gentle rhythm of familiar gestures that give shape to each day.

It begins with a slow awakening: sunlight filtering through the tent or mobile home, the sound of a child calling for their dad.
Then a stroll to the bar for that first coffee, the beach “before the sand gets hot”, and an ice cream “before it all melts”.
After lunch? Relax.
A game of cards, a chat on the veranda, a book left half-read.
And in the evening, the same little ritual: a quick shower, light, comfy clothes, a walk to the show area.
Even if no one’s quite sure what’s on — you go anyway.
Because here, it’s the ritual, not the programme, that leads the way.
Every camper has their own small “heart timetable” — that changes every day, yet always stays the same.
That’s the magic: holidays don’t measure time… they transform it.
And when you go home, you miss it — the cheerful voices, the evening breeze,
the golden light shining through the tent at sunset.
Because at the campsite, time isn’t counted.
It’s felt.

10. “We’re Coming Back Next Year, Right?” — Usually Said Halfway Through the Holiday

It’s not a question.
It’s a declaration of love.

And it always comes right on time — around day four or five of the holiday.
Usually on the way back from the beach, sand still between your toes, or while sitting on the veranda in flip-flops, skin kissed by the sun and the scent of coconut after-sun lotion in the air.

“We’re coming back next year, right?”
The question drifts between a sip of beer and a game of Uno with the kids.
And the answer is always the same: “Of course we are.”

Because true campers know: some places get under your skin.
Where every path feels familiar, where you know the restaurant menu by heart, and the barista makes your coffee just the way you like it — without even asking.

It’s not just about routine.
It’s about something that feels like family — a big, warm Rubicone family.

The kids find each other again to play.
The adults agree: “Same pitch, same time next year.”
And emotions — just like suitcases — somehow fill themselves up.

So even before the holiday ends, a gentle nostalgia begins to grow in every true camper’s heart.
And there’s only one cure for it: coming back. 💛

And You? How Many of These “Unwritten Rules” Are Already in Your Camper DNA?

Whether you’re a seasoned veteran of the tree-lined paths or a first-time explorer pitching your very first tent, one thing’s for sure: at Camping Village Rubicone, there’s something truly special in the air.
A blend of freedom, smiles, the scent of barbecue, and that touch of everyday magic made of small rituals that turn a simple holiday… into a cherished tradition.
Because here, even the rules that no one writes — but everyone follows — are born from one simple truth: when you feel good, you naturally want to share it.
If you’ve recognised yourself in at least three of them, it’s official — you’re one of us!
Discover more about Camping Village Rubicone and get ready to live your next holiday with the right spirit! 🌞