Want to plan a surprise trip for DH to Italy - no clue where to start

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I have a year to plan and save. I have no clue about Italy. How expensive it is to holiday there, which regions are nice etc.

Any tips on sites to look at for good travel info or any advice much appreciated.

To throw more confusion into the mix I must add that my fav lake in northern Italy is lake Maggiore...n

If you do want the train to Venice from Lake Garda, I'd suggest Peschiera del Garda.

Lucca (nr Pisa) is lovely - a medieval walled town with some nice restaurants and shops. Easy to get to Florence by train for a day trip. Also easy to drive to the coast (Viaraggio) and to the Cinque Terra area as mentioned above.

We stayed in apartment type accom about 10 mins walk from the town. i think most villas are further out in the countryside.

Now what's that other one called... The one with the Etruscan museum... I can see it in me head...Ill need to check my map now...and the one where the vampirey things were shot... Pienza?

Cortona - lovely town to visit.

I really loved sorrento - so much we got married there! There's loads to see and explore, Capri is gorgeous as is Ischia (where they filmed the talented mr Ripley) and the amalfi coast is amazing!

I've been twice and loved it both times. We went in May/ early june both times and never saw any Mosquitos so not sure if that's a summer thing?

I agree with ceeveebee- Viareggio is nice, Forte die marmi further along the coast is stunning but v v expensive. We stayed in Viareggio and took the train to Florence, Pisa and Lucca. Would definitely go back.

Also loved Lake Garda and visited Verona whilst there, although I seem to remember that it was a long way from the airport ( Venice or Milan from memory, but I could be wrong.....!)

Another gorgeous part of Italy is SW Sicily, but I'd advise you to go in the spring or perhaps late september.
Wonderful cities like Siracusa, Ragusa, Noto, Modica, to name a few.
The sea is always near, with gorgeous places like la riserva di Vindicari (it is a national park), or Porto Palo.
The food is great, good value for money.

Around Pescara in the Abruzzo is lovely, and cheaper rental than Tuscany. Has its own airport, good beaches, some lovely old towns and stunning countryside.
Great seafood restaurants, and interesting markets, and typical Italian seaside vibe.

Sorrento is lovely, but does not have a beach, only swimming platforms, also I don't think there is much in the town to keep children/teenagers amused, though obviously some stunning historical sites nearby.

"Also loved Lake Garda and visited Verona whilst there, although I seem to remember that it was a long way from the airport"

Lake Garda is massive so if you are staying in Riva then it is a long transfer. We flew to Verona and stayed in Garda. The transfer was only an hour.