Italy or Spain for a holiday?

[babybouncer]

Summer holiday this year with DD (3) and DS (6) we fancy going to Italy or Spain, but no idea where - we've never been to either before.

We really want a house near (ideally walking distance) to a village or small town and not too far from a few attractions (zoo/farm/castle/town etc). It would be great to be near the beach or a swimming pool or a lake but I'm not a fan of a resort or being around lots of tourists.

Any ideas?

How about Andalucia in Southern Spain? If you're not a fan of tourist traps it's ideal as you can rent a villa with pool close to one of the many lovely villages and enjoy the easy-going lifestyle with your kids. The lakes at El Chorro near Antequera are simply stunning, alternatively you could look near Lake Iznajar or Vinuela. There are heaps of villas with pools available through Holidaylettings, HomeAway or Owners Direct.

Thanks, that sounds perfect! Does it get very hot?

Yes, August is guaranteed to be very hot and sunny, but with a pool that's no problem! Andalucian houses are built to keep the heat out. The main thing is to keep to a Spanish timetable on holiday - go on outings in the morning when it's cooler, relax in the afternoons and visit the local village in the evenings when everyone is out and about trying the tapas! Don't worry too much about early bedtimes on holiday - Spanish kids are always up very late in the summer and I found that our boys always readjusted quickly once we got home.

That sounds exactly like the sort of holiday my husband has been trying to tell me does exist (he went as a child and loved it, but all I could find was hideous-looking all-inclusive resorts)! Thank you so much.

I would say Italy every time, lots of lovely accommodation around Tuscany in converted farmhouses/manor houses, culture, weather, food, perfect

Andalucia, especially inland will be monstrosly hot in August. One of the times we've been it was over 40 C in the afternoon and the glue in our books melted.

YY to the everything late though. We went to a village flamenco festival that was advertised as starting at 11 pm. We had an 'early' dinner at about 10 pm and very little happended before midnight.

We missed the main event which hadn't appeared by 3 am because we had been taken there by friends who lived there and had to get up for work the next day.

Italy wins it for me. It does get hot in August, but not as hot as Spain. I'm talking about 30 degrees rather than 40 degrees here.

My favourite area is Lake Garda.

I've just booked for Lake Garda! Can't come quick enough..

Oh Lake Garda! We stay in Trento. Booked a cottage in Dro this year. Bloody love Italy. Can't wait to take DD there this Summer.
I loved Spain too.
The sky is a completely different shade of blue.

Everything looks better in the sunshine. (So I hope it's sunny when I'm there)