DD fancies a holiday in Italy - where shall we go?

[KatyMac]

It's her 21st this year, and she graduates so we are off possibly in September (I'd prefer France, but....)

Ideally a villa/airbnb with 3 rooms

She doesn't mind a city, quite likes a beach, isn't that bothered about history/archaeology - likes her food

My mum doesn't walk well so not too much climbing steps etc

I need good ideas/suggestions please as I had one awful holiday skiing in Italay when I was 13 (school trip) & I know nothing about it at all

Sicily - Aeolian islands?

That looks fab - chekcing flights etc

Eeek looks like Gatwick.....Oh well it looks lovely

We were thinking of there - are the islands very tiny though? I'm thinking small Scottish islands with one Co-op and a Spa - and I like my food!

Oh sorry, Italy - Florence is one of my favourite places and for someone who doesn't walk much, there are so many lovely cafes and bars to sit and people watch.

Came on to say Florence too. Such a beautiful place. Just being there does you good. If you got someplace central your mulm could go back to hotel for little naps.

She doesn't really need naps yet - will it be sunny end of Sept?

Really like th eisland idea but DD & mum might prefer Florence I think

I'd go off central - to bloody noisy (yes you, you pair of gits with the bongos and didgeridoo under my window until 3am).

There are lost of lovely residences On little alleyways that youd never know were there - and once you go through the battered front door, find yourself in a little palace!

Sardinia is absolutely beautiful, beaches are stunning and amazing food. We did a couple of nights in Bosa and a few up near Alghero. I didn't like Sicily as much, better for history/sightseeing though.

Also Puglia is lovely.

Jealous!

Sorrento and Capri are lovely!

Actually if it's her first trip to Italy and she doesn't mind no beaches I would do Florence, September is the perfect time of year to go there.

Florence in September is still unbearable busy. It makes it hard to enjoy when you're swept along in the crowds.

Lucca is smaller but has a lovely feel. Nice to walk around and people watch in cafes. As much as I love Florence, I think Lucca would make for a nicer, less touristy short break.

If you have a hire car, you could easily get to one of the beaches along the coast for the day, such as Viareggio or a nice spa resort like Forte dei Marmi. You don't necessarily have to use the beach, but walk along the shops and pier, enjoy a few cocktails and the sea breeze.

How about Lake Garda? You could have day trips to Verona and maybe even Venice if you base yourself in the right part of the lake (south east I think? Check a map! 😬)

Lake Guarda sounds nice

To be honest it all sounds lovely - I get overwhelmed with lovely things/places

Bologna. The city is beautiful, but the centre isn't huge so pretty easy to walk around. The food is amazing (gastronomic capital of Italy). Lots of train lines run into Bologna too, so you could visit Florence, Rome, Venice etc on high speed trains in just an hour or two

We loved Bologna as well, think its a little cheaper than Florence

Sounds good mind you it all does - going to get more family involved for decisions I think (then it's not my faulty)

I was going to suggest Sardinia too for the beach and the food

Where do you want to fly from, KatyMac? I know you said you were selling your house - did you do that? I was interested in the life you'd planned!

Yes - feel a bit guilty having another holiday after 6 months away last year - now settled in out new house/town/county

But we fly from Stansted, Southend, Norwich most easily

If you hold off until Oct, Alba, best known for Barolo wine and white truffles as well as the home of Nutella and Ferrero Rocher, has its truffle festival where they have parades and loads of foody things going on, as well as lots of good wine. You'd need to book the air BnB now though as it is pretty popular. 13/8 is best date when they all dress up in medieval garb.
www.fieradeltartufo.org/en/2018-edition/

Or Perugia Eurochocolate festival starting 19/10 is fun too, which features loads of chocolate stalls but you can also just wander round Perugia which is another lovely city while there.

Don't go to San Marino, just one big hill for your mum.

Seaside is unpredictable in Sept in Italy. You'd probably get away with first week though.

There are also lots of natural thermal spas in Italy which are nice if you want something relaxing like this one in Tuscany which is popular with all ages.
httpsw.termedisaturnia.it/en/thermal-pools/

We are going to Lake Garda and Verona, to please us all.
Me, the kids and the older ones partners.
I can't wait, we are going in July. Dh can't come as it's his busiest time.
I've saved for ages, wasn't cheap either.
I imagine your dd would like to be near enough to visit Milan?

Verona is a good shout. In my humble opinion, Milan looks like a bit of a dump compared to the rest of Italy. If you want to do a major city like that, go to Rome.

I guess we will have to go more than once.....just not this year!

I don't know so many lovely ideas - I love the islands but DD might prefer Florence

The smaller towns sound good for my mum

I know we'll all go away separately

Verona is for the Opera for dd, I've promised her for years. I hope it lives up to her expectations. The lads are looking forward to experiencing it, but we are breaking them in with Carmen, what's not to like.

Then some relaxation and activity for the brave.