Italy 2016

[Lagoonablue]

I have been to Italy a lot and love it. Now I have young DCs I want to go again but don't know where!

I don't want to have to drive, therefore near airport. Need to be near a beach preferably, some local interest for adults. Would prefer self catering. Would love Tuscany but really don't want to have to drive.

Was thinking Lake Garda, Sicily or Sardinia. Anyone been? Anyone have decs for good family accommodation"

thanks.

any use?

Thanks. Don't fancy camping though.

I've been to Garda and Sicily (and lots of other parts of Italy). They're both lovely but Garda is very much slanted towards German/Austrian visitors which felt a bit odd to me - nothing wrong with it just strange seeing tourist signs in German rather than Italian. It is very beautiful but unless you wanted to stay in one resort, I think you'd need to hire a car. The lake is huge and has a lot of very pretty towns around it but, depending on your children's age, you may want to visit Gardaland (hell on earth) and probably Verona (absolutely spectacular, avoid Juliet's house) and that would be difficult unless you base yourself at the south of the lake where there are a couple of train stations.

I love Sicily but, again, it's great to be able to drive around and explore. Unless you just want to stay near a beach, the sites are quite spread around and public transport isn't fabulously good.

I've house swapped my way around Italy so can't give you recommendations for accommodation. However, a lot of Italians use the website homelidays to advertise their self-catering accommodation (quite often their own homes and they move in with their parents for a couple of weeks). There seems to be a bit of an over-supply issue so I'm sure there are deals to be done.

We stay in Peschiera on lake garda. Lovely pretty town, easy access to other places on the lake via ferry or bus.
Gardaland close by too

Villa Pia is amazing with young children - on the borders of Tuscany and Umbria - catered but feels like self-catering - check it out!

Another vote for Lake Garda here.

"It is very beautiful but unless you wanted to stay in one resort, I think you'd need to hire a car"

That is utter bollocks. You can get around the lake by ferry or bus. We have been to Lake Garda twice, staying in Garda the first time and Sirmione the second. I love it. The scenery is utterly beautiful, there are loads of things to see and do, the food and drink is great and in summer the weather is perfect.

If you are staying at the southern end of the lake it is a short transfer from Verona airport.

Lake Garda is probably my favourite holiday destination to date.

Thanks for the ideas. I have been to Garda a few years ago nut might be an option as seem to recall using the bus and water bus a lot. Just need self catering reccs?

Sorry, can't help as we stayed in hotels both times. I'm sure there will be loads though.

Eden Residences at the Parc Hotel in Peschiera are self catered but do give you an option to have B&B, HB or FB at the hotel.

From what I remember (and apparently is common to SC in Italy) you don't get housekeeping or linen changes and have to pay extra for laundry of sheets or towels you have used

Thanks all.