Cheapish holiday with young kids in Italy?

[Misty9]

DH and I love travelling, for food and culture. Then we had kids
We'd still like to experience the above, but what can we do for around £1k in term time in Italy, ideally for 10 nights? Ds, 3, hates water and dd, 8 months, won't care - so beach/pool not important!

Any recommendations? Self catering probably preferable as we like our own space.

Lake Garda Laake Garda Lake Garda

Ok bunbaker you've sold me on lake Garda
I like the sound of Bardolino and Garda, any recommendations for accommodation? We like our own space and two bedrooms is a must. Pool not essential. I'd love to go asap but we've another UK based holiday to do with for eds so it won't be until September probably - is that an ok time to go there?

For eds = friends....

We stayed in Garda three years ago and loved it. DD was 11 and I'm not sure you would have found our hotel suitable. The advantage of Garda/Bardolino is that it is flat and has a lovely, traffic free walk by the lake, making it ideal for a buggy. Further north the towns are very hilly and you would struggle with a buggy.

Also the southern part of the lake isn't far from Verona airport so you wouldn't have a long transfer time.

We stayed in Sirmione last time and loved that as well.

Have you tried air B and B? Supercheap

for cheapish try Calabria. Pizzo or Tropea are both very pretty and the food is really really cheap in restaurants :)
Alitalia often have pretty good deals but you have to change flights at Rome or Milan then on to Lamezia which is pretty straightforward. Ryanair fly direct to Lamezia I think