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

I second Lake Garda.We stayed in Pescheira which is a beautiful town. Its 20/30 mins to Verona on bus, or trainto Venice ( about 60-90mins depending on train).
Or Amalfi Coast is stunning. Naples and Pompeii not far away.

Garda is lovely. In the north there's the mountains. The south is flat, no mountains but just as lovely in its own way. You can spend the whole day on a ferry boat or tour boat, calling in at all the little towns around the water's edge, eating ice cream and yummy Italian food in the sunshine.

No Opera isn't for my DD - Ballet would be her thing

Milan is fashion - she could push herself to be interested in that

As long as my mum can smoke she will be happy (shudder)

Sicily is fab - not a small island though! Pretty sure it's the biggest island in the med. Amazing towns rebuilt after an earthquake in 16-something, lovely beaches and Mount Etna.

Venice/Verona nice too - but pretty full on - not such a relaxing holiday.

What about Rome/Umbria? Rome is a fantastic city - haven't been to Umbria but heard nice things.

Agree with lots of others - Lake Garda is really nice - Malchesnie (sp??) a great base for seeing lots of different towns by water bus.

Sorrento is nice, but if you're not interested in Pompeii/Herculaneum etc, then maybe it's not the place - there aren't any beaches there, it's much more of a base for sightseeing.

And then there are the mountains...

We LOVE Italy - you can't go wrong I reckon.

KatyMac
www.arena.it/arena/it/season/programma-arena-di-verona.html
Look at the Ballet.

Lucca is lovely but may not be enough to do there itself

Lake como is beautiful, lots of lovely villages to visit by boat so minimal walking. Can also get to Milan from como by train. Food in northern Italy is more gamey/germania (rabbit etc) than southern med areas which are more typically 'Italian'

Basically wherever you go will be brilliant, because Italy is brilliant. I love Sicily (Cefalu on the north coast has a great beach, a fabulous medieval town and a castle on the most incredible limestone cliff you can imagine), Florence, Venice, Vicenza (if you're into architecture), the Dolomites (if you're into mountains, which I am), and Sardinia (great rock climbing!)

Euro chocolate is great! Are used to live in Perugia and would go every year. The only thing is, you mentioned your mother not being able to go upstairs. Or climbing very much. If you stay on the upper part of fruits, this won’t be much of a problem, and there are escalators. But make sure you stay in an area that does not have loads of stairs.

Lots of great food though, and chocolate. Of every kind, every shape and size. I don’t know if they still do it, but at the end of October, beginning of November there used to be a fun fair and a market during the five days at the start of November. It was a great time of year.

Otherwise, I know they’re not really on the tourist path, but what about Trieste or somewhere in that area, the beaches are nice, the food is good and next as you have some Hungarian, Slovenian Austrian type of influences. Plus you could always do a day trip to Slovenia and it’s not too difficult to go to Croatia for a few days if you want to do that, and it’s a beautiful place as well. The only thing with Trieste, watch out for la bora. It’s very very strong wind, and it can knock you off your feet. I am 80 pounds, and when I used to blow, I had to hold onto things.

My absolute 100% next mission is to go to Lake Garda. It absolutely looks and sounds magical

Siena has the history and good bits of Florence but is much less packed with people

Apart from the Ufici art gallery of course

We had a wonderful holiday in Garda

So much to see & do around there - cable car up Monte Baldo, boats across lake, day trips to Verona & Venice

Some of the best food & wine I’ve ever had

But then we go to Italy with the DC a lot & have never had a bad holiday there

Everywhere in Italy is fabulous. Wonderfully old, mind boggling ply pretty, fantastic food and wine.
I'd do Rome with a young person.Super easy to get around as small but taxis everywhere for you mum. See all the sights.tick. Wonderful places to eat all easy to find on TripAdvisor.
Lido de Jeslo for a beach holiday within an easy bus journey to Venice or Florence for the same reasons as Rome.
You actually can't go wrong in Italy.

Just back from Bologna which is a surprising vibrant city , lots of young people around , I guess due to the student population and excellent food. They were setting up for a summer outdoor cinema. Less touristy and crowded than Florence and very different in look and culture so would make an easy and varied 2 centre trip (less than an hour apart on the train).

Did you do the Portico walk to Sanctuary of Madonna di San Luca LIZS? Worth going to Bologna just to do that!

September in Southern Italy is still summer, as is October. Highs around 30 degrees most days. It isn't high season so you can get a good deal. If you plan to travel about and see some of the surroundings I'd suggest hiring a car so that would excude amalfi, sorrento etc. May I suggest paestum? Nice beaches, easily accessible from Naples and salerno plus you're close to salerno, amalfi and Cilento so have loads to see

No Bruffin sadly not as too limited timewise. It is on dh's radar for next time.