Can anyone recommend toddler-friendly holidays in Italy?

[CautiousOptimist]

Would anyone be able to share their experiences of toddler-friendly holidays in Italy? We are hoping to go this summer - possibly September - when DS1 will be 2.9 and DS2 will be 8 months.

I have been to Italy, but before kids, and have no idea where to start so any recommendations of places to stay and things to do would be much appreciated. I have in mind maybe a villa with a pool in Tuscany? Something quite relaxed rather than lots of sightseeing, although the odd day trip would be good. I've also been looking at Lake Garda and Venice, but I don't know whether it would be a bit stressful with two little ones.

Also, would others recommend driving or flying and hiring a car? Driving would be less of a faff, but even though we live in Kent it's a long way! I'd be happy to fly, but then what do people do about car seats?

Thanks in advance!

I haven't actually done this but have been thinking about it so done a bit of research and we've recently been to Rome with our 2 year old, despite being told by lots of people that it was madness to take a toddler there. Actually it was completely fine, very toddler friendly and we/he had a great time.
I am thinking about going to somewhere on the Tuscany coast like Viareggio or Forte dei Marmi. There's lots of flights into Pisa and you can take a car seat free of charge or hire one with car hire - based on experience in France car seat that comes with hire car will be very basic. You can also get a coach directly into Viareggio from the airport.
Other places I've looked at are Paestum (flying into Naples) and Sardinia is very family friendly.
It's a long drive. I wouldn't consider it unless we had lots of time for stop offs a long the way. Be prepared for queues when you go throughout the Alps - tho I've not done this for a long time so may be better now? Your kids may be less grumpy in the car than mine.
Venice is quite far from Lake Garda - again depends how much time you have got for the holiday as to whether that'd work. Personally I'm going to wait till he's older (school age) to take DS to Garda so we can make the most of Gardaland.
If you do decide to do it please post back about how it went!

Go for villa pia - best holiday ever

read reviews of villa pia, then read Caserio del Mirador, no contest, truly.. reconsider italy and go to spain. and you can take your own car seats on the plane, might sound like a nightmare but you just pile them up on your trolley, its fine.

(my hub didnt enjoy Pia at all, but it wasnt him that left that review!)