Talk

Tuscany or Umbria.

Barga, Assisi Lucca, and obviously Florence, beautiful towns, stunning scenery and art/history/architecture all amazing. Fly to Pisa then get a train or bus.
We went in August and was not too hot. We stayed in Agratourismo (sp?) which are basically farms with apartments or rooms. Most have pools too. We bussed and trained it but hiring a car would be ideal.

"We are staying in Garda town, self catering"

We stayed in Garda as well. We loved it.

we had a wonderful holiday with our children at this age. flew into Naples, stayed a couple of days (including a trip to Pompeii). then took a week traveling by bus down the coast, finishing at Salerno. then a quick train journey back to Naples. don't even think of driving and take care in Naples (I had my bag snatched).

Oh Como and Bellagio, how I love them

Amalfi coast is beautiful. North Italy tends to be more expensive.

Thanks for all the lovely responses

Porto I had almost booked your Tremezzo hotel, but in the space of 10 mins, the last places went, and the next week was over £200 EACH dearer.

So I have now gone for Lake Garda, hotel is a surprise when we get there

Already looking forward to it

Thanks for the ideas

marking, dreaming of sunshine...

I booked mine last August. I fret a little over those of you that are still looking! I am a bit anal about it. I have wanted to recommend several places which are now fully booked for this summer....

We are off to Lake Garda and combined venice for 3 days at the end on MN recomnendation in August.
Can' t wait ....
We are staying in Garda town, self catering
Move quickly and book as soon as you can as summer holidays do get booked up soon

Photos as promised. Of the hotel and general surroundings. I definitely want to go back after have a reminisce over these

I have been having a MN break, came back this week after 3-4 months or so. Will pop in laters!

waves discretely back to Grapes - come visit LI!

I agree about avoiding big cities in July/August. We went to Rome in August one year and it was really hot and sticky - but on the plus side, the pollution was so bad there were no insects.

One thing worth noting is that the Italian's generally do not have inclusive sides with their main order, so if you order steak, that is all that will be on your plate. You may need to order vegetables/salad as an extra so ensure that you are aware of exactly what you are ordering.

Food is great everywhere, can't think I've ever had a bad meal.

But the most important tip is always save room for Gelato. We ate 2 or 3 a day, one in the morning for our elevenses, one about 3.00 p.m. and another one after dinner.

<waves discretely to Gio from A$$ End>

Def avoid the big cities in July. I am in Rome and it is the one month I loathe here, hot, humid and you notice the pollution much more than normal plus the city hasnt evacuated to the coast at that point as that happens in aug. florence is in a valley and is horrendously humid at the height of summer as is Venice. I would go for the lakes. The problem with Sorrento is that it is a good place as a base to see Pompei, The Amalfi coast, Vesuvius etc but in July the heat will mean all you will want to do is sit under an umbrella by a pool. The lakes are lovely. We went to Como a few years ago and I still remember the feeling of relief as we got off the plane there and the air felt fresh and it was about 30 instead of 40. Its a lovely place to hire a car and drive, the town of Como is lovely as well and you can drive up into the mountains easily.

Agree with Portofino, the Lakes far more lovely than Sorrento. Sorrento=Blackpool with nicer scenery, but there are the expat run bars showing Arsenal matches and burger joints nevertheless.

Schnuckums- Ancona at the start of May will be freezing for Italians but lovely for Brits. Warm, but not too much. May is always my favourite month in Italy. (We are a couple of hours south of Ancona) It will probably be warm enough to swim in the pool. (Italians may beg to differ and will probably still have scarves on)

Ill dig out some photos later......

I'm off to google Ancona, but Portofino I'm quite enchanted by the idea of your place

Many Thanks all of you

sorry to hijack but am thinking of booking a week near ancona (the umbria region) at the start of may.any thoughts on how warm it would be then? warm enough to swim in the pool or am i being way too optimistic

Yes - Como is stunning. The place I linked to above is in Tremezzo so directly accross the lake from Bellagio (reputed to be one of the loveliest places on earth). Beautiful views of the lake and the mountains from there. The boat stop is a 5 min walk and there are a few bars and restaurants opposite. It is owned by a young couple with 2 kids who fell over themselves to be helpful. The view from the pool terrace was to die for. Just up the road is the Villa Balbianello which featured in Casino Royale and one of the newer Star Wars films. It is truly gorgeous. We walked to Lenno and got a boat, but you can also walk from there. There is a mini tourist train that runs up and down that bit of the lake too - we went to Menaggio in the evening on that. I will definitely be going back.

Try Bellagio in the Italian Lakes. The north of Italy so weather wont be so hot... Stunning scenery and you travel around the lakes on big boats.

We stayed in lake Garda in June one year and it was 40c.
The whole of Italy will be very hot during August/July.
Have you thought about the Adriatic coast. Lovely beaches. Some if the campsites have 4or 5 pools so you can cool off.

Hadn't thought of camping, that looks nice too, although I am not very confident and would like to have a total package so everything is taken care of.

Thought the north of Italy might not be as hot as the south.

Definitely leaning towards Lake Garda or Lake Como