Two weeks starting from Milan or Como - where would you go?

[Ktay]

We have booked 2 weeks off in August and will be starting out from Milan or Como. Will spend a couple of days of that at end driving back to UK but otherwise open to suggestions - where would you head? Definitely want at least a week in Italy. Have already had quite a few summers in Tirol.

We did similar last year. Did Lake Garda, Bologna, the top part of Tuscany and then almost a week on the Venetian Riviera. Stayed in agritorismo places in the main (apart from Gardaland and Venice). Thoroughly recommend.

From there you could visit Verona, Sienna, Florence, Pisa and onto Rome. It really depends how much travelling you want to do/how many bases you want what your interests are etc.

I did virtually what HellsBells said - Milan, Lake Garda, Verona, Venice, Sienna, Florence, Pisa and then Rome.

I don't think you'll have time to see it all properly (especially Rome!) And get back to the UK.

Also Florence was ridiculously expensive that time of year - it was nearly €80 a night for a hostel room - there was very little else available. I would recommend booking hotels ahead of time during the summer months.

Stick to staying up north,
Santa Maria Ligure, rapallo, cinque terre, For breach , then Choose somewhere in the emilla romagna Region.

We did a week in Como, followed by two nights in Milan and then went to Verona for three days and then another three days in Venice. Was a wonderful trip!

I camped with DH pre children we flew to Milan stayed one night, train to Sienna stayed 3 nights in a campsite, then stayed at Florence and got a train back to Milan early on in a week it was lovely. I have visited the other places I suggested in other holidays.

Thanks everyone for the ideas and apologies for the lack of useful info in the OP 😬. We'll have the DDs (9 and 6) with us and prob want to avoid the cities at that time of year - we have done them pre-DC although some def warrant a repeat visit! I'd love to base ourselves somewhere for a good week with a bit of touring for the rest.

Will look at Emilia Romagna options and Cinque Terre is a good shout. Any recommendations for Venetian Riviera - my DM was scathing about Lido di Jesolo but must be nearly 50 years since she was there. How about Viareggio, would that keep us entertained for a week?

I think essentially I am looking to replicate our previous Riva del Garda holidays but somewhere else - anywhere on Lakes Como or Maggiore that would hit the spot?

Apologies again for the vague brief and thanks for all the thoughts!

Might make a city exception for Venice, I love it even in stinky August...