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Use our Travel forum for recommendations on everything from day trips to the best family-friendly holiday destinations.

Original poster

Italian Lakes advice

22 replies

whostolethesocks · 29/01/2017 20:43

Liking the idea of Italian Lakes this year for a holiday with two teenagers. Don't fancy driving/hiring a car. Does anyone have recommendations of best place to stay (would like to be near lots to see/do and also be able to take trips to Venice/Verona. Is it possible/preferable to book flights/accommodation separately and make our own way to accommodation (how easy is this?) or should we go with a package company? All advice appreciated. Thank you.

OP posts:
Clayhead · 29/01/2017 21:28

Peschiera has a small but mainline station which you can use to go to Verona and Venice.

Shesaysso · 29/01/2017 21:33

Agree with the above. Definitely Lake Garda with teenagers, and somewhere near the bottom of the Lake for Venice/ Verona trips. Sirmione is also nice and an alternative to Peschiera.

There's a big theme park (Garda Land) in this area too. Which may appeal to the teens one day (even if it doesn't appeal to you😄).

blue2014 · 29/01/2017 21:37

Lots of water sports activities at the top of the lake that the teens may like

NotCitrus · 29/01/2017 21:37

There's direct buses from Verona to the east side of Garda, takes about 40 minutes. Gardaland and the water park are there. Stayed in Bardolino which is one of the smaller towns, but a slightly larger town might be even better with teens.

Iamastonished · 30/01/2017 12:59

Another vote for lake Garda. We have been twice - stayed in Garda the first time and Sirmione the second. You absolutely don't need a car. The best way to explore the lake is to take one of the many ferries that go round the lake.

Lake Garda is probably my favourite holiday destination.

MeganChips · 30/01/2017 13:04

We stayed in Peschiera last year, it was a good base without a car. Not as pretty as some of the other towns around the lake but nice enough and plenty to do.

We did trips to Venice and Verona and Milan is easily accessible by train too.

Sirmione is beautiful but you have to get a bus to the end of the peninsula before you can get anywhere near a mainline so slightly trickier.

Public transport is easy and the ferries great but the cost does really add up so definitely plan for that.

LIZS · 30/01/2017 13:05

Agree lake Garda is the most suitable for active teens. If they want sailing and windsurfing you really need to base yourselves towards the north of the lake as the south is less windy and suitable (ie. Torbole or Riva). Mountain activities are available at Malcesine. Unfortunately the north end is less accessible by public transport and traffic mid summer on the lake road is very congested, so buses are slow. Cycling is a good option and resorts are linked by boats.

BusterTheBulldog · 30/01/2017 13:17

Simione (sp? Quick post, sorry) in lake Garda was lovely. Good ferry station to hop to other places on Garda, and also train station about 5-10 mins in bus taxi which is direct to Verona and also Venice. It's also amazingly beautiful there, definitely recommend!

Original poster
whostolethesocks · 30/01/2017 19:48

Thanks for the comments so far. Peschiera seems like it might be a good option with the possibility of visiting other towns by public transport? Any tips on where to stay there? Did you make your own travel arrangements or go with a travel company? All advice welcome. Thanks.

OP posts:
MeganChips · 30/01/2017 19:59

We stayed at the huge Bella Italia eurocamp which I booked through Owners direct.

Flights were seperate to Venice as it was much cheaper than Verona. These were booked through Skyscanner.

The train tickets from Venice to Peschiera were just bought at the station to allow for any flight delays though it's cheaper to book them in advance.

Most of the ferries have a ticket office that you just turn up and pay for.

Pretty easy really Smile

DeliveredByKiki · 05/02/2017 02:06

following! We're taking younger children (5&8) this summer to Italy, doing Rome for a week, stopping somewhere en route maybe, then want to do Garda or Como before last few days in Venice (flying out of Venice)

I've been more attracted to Como than Garda but Garda is prob better for convenience sake? My two aren't particularly interested in watersports but enjoy going on a boat and hiking.....so a mini hijack, apologies OP!

LIZS · 05/02/2017 08:47

Como is much more sedate than Garda, villas and gardens are the main attraction. I think younger children might find Garda more interesting, with its beaches and village squares. Como itself has a small park by the ferry jetties with water fountains but not much else specifically for them.

ReggaeShark · 05/02/2017 08:52

We'll be cycling from Lake Garda to Venice via Soave, Verona and a couple of other places with our teenage DS. Bspoketours.com.

DeliveredByKiki · 05/02/2017 16:31

Thanks LIZS if the beaches are better at Garda maybe we're better off there, even if I'd rather do Como for the scenery and hiking!

ReggaeShark I'd love to do something like that when my two are older!

ReggaeShark · 05/02/2017 20:48

DS was 14 last summer and we did something similar in Croatia. Most teenagers would be fine.

Bejazzled · 06/02/2017 19:36

Plenty to do around Peschiera. Train to Verona or Milan, ferries to dot about the other lakeside towns, cable car up Monte Baldo from Malcesine, free buses from the centre bus station to the water park and to Gardaland if you like them, pedaloes and water activities available too.

We've been several times to different places. Peschiera has a great small hotel with direct lake views called the San Marco. Call them direct for the best price and to request a large family room or single room for teenager. Great breakfast and free parking included and even a small pool which isn't common. Easy walk to the town centre.

Original poster
whostolethesocks · 09/02/2017 17:32

Thanks Bejazzled. I've booked a hotel for myself and my teenage son (the one you recommended was full) in Peschiera. I've also booked flights to Verona. Just need to check out transfer and things to do while we're there now!

OP posts:
Bejazzled · 09/02/2017 22:55

Great, I'm sure you will love it. If your teen is up for it get tickets for the Verona opera. They are quite cheap if you sit up in the steps with a cushion and a bottle of wine everyone has a great time up there. I persuaded my 16yo ds to go and in the end up he loved the event of it, colour, pageantry, all under the stars.

LadyFlangeWidget · 07/12/2017 13:16

hi! We live at the lakes, if you've any questions, fire away!! my 2 are 6 and 8 yrs...

Bethan123 · 30/11/2018 21:06

We are visiting Lake Garda August 2019 with two teenagers - 16 and 14 following tow days in Venice advice on where best to stay with teenagers who like the beach , pool and day trips. Thanks

elizabethcharlotte · 05/12/2018 21:10

We have stayed at Camping Del Garda twice. My teenagers loved it. There are two pool complexes and it's just a short walk to the Lake. We hired bikes and rode to Bardolino and back one day along the lake path. There are buses that take you to the water park and Gardaland. The train station is a 10 minute walk away. From there we went to Verona, Venice and Milan. You can also get ferries across the lake to many picturesque towns and villages. We booked through Alfresco but you can also book direct or through Eurocamp. The Alfresco accomadation is great. We love it there!

Orchidflower1 · 31/12/2018 21:17

LadyFlangeWidget is it really as busy in August as I’ve heard. I read on another thread that towns like Bordalino and limone are heaving in the summer. We are looking to try somewhere different to Spain / France but I’m feeling put off my potential crowds.

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