Italy - recommendations and snorkelling

[spottybetty]

We're thinking about Italy for next summer, and I have questions.

Whwew in Italy would you recommend for good, quiet (ha) beaches and good snorkelling?

Has anyone taken the sleeper from Paris to Milan? Was it good?

Has anyone been to Corsica? Looks good for snorkelling and things to do - has anyone taken the ferry there? Villa recommendations?

Thanks :)

We just did a similar sounding trip! Look at the Cilento coast, about one and a half hours by train from Naples. Much of the sea is a marine reserve and the villages are small and charming. Much less busy and less expensive than the Amalfi Coast. We stayed at the Approddo hotel in SAN Marco - right on the sea, you fall asleep to the sound of waves! It has a private beach and ladders to the sea from its terrace. Snorkelling was good from the beach and you can also do boat trips from the harbour. There’s also a little ferry to various places along the coast. The area is beautiful/ really unspoiled, gorgeous walks through pinewoods etc and Paestum, which is one of the most glorious ancient sites, if you’re interested in the ancient world (3 of the best preserved Greek temples in the world). Look also at the next village along, I think Santa Maria. I really recommend the Approddo, though. We did it by train: stayed in Naples for a couple of days on the way there, but went home to London in one go using the Milan/Paris sleeper! The sleeper was fun: we got two two berths rather than a four berth: it’s a bit cramped for space! For the Cilento coast the station is Aggroppoli Castellabate. I read a great Guardian travel article about the region - google it! A useful website for train info is the man in seat 61. Milan station and the Gare de Lyon are worth seeing in themselves.

We went to Sardinia (Italian island) this year and there were amazing beaches and snorkeling.

I’d recommend Long Travel: they use an excellent range of small hotels, trulli, agritoutism places plus self catering options in Italy, including Sardinia and Sicily. If you tell them your requirements (eg snorkelling and train access) they can make suggestions.

The emerald coast in Sardinia is absolutely stunning for this but can be expensive.

I have taken the sleeper from Paris but we went all the way to Venice rather than get off at Milan ... on the return we got on the sleeper at Milan back to Paris.

My advice would be :

1. Book as soon as the berths become available (I think its 4 months booking ahead time)...there are very good discounts available and it works out quite cheap considering the distance traveled and one nights accommodation....I think we paid about £43 a few years ago.
2. There were 4 of us (2 x mums and 2 x DC's) that shared the sleeper cabin ...if you want a private cabin for all the family then ensure you book all the berths (they have sleeper cabins that can sleep 6...so we actually booked all 6 places even though there were just 4 of us)....otherwise you will find strangers booked into your cabin. We had a youth try and claim he had a reservation for our cabin on the way back - counterfeit ticket.
3. Its fun but NOT luxury and you dont really get a good nights sleep ...the toilets are disgusting in the morning ...but its definitely worth the experience (you virtually slide a little down the bed when you go through the mountains).
4. Worth taking your own picnic - we took wine, glasses and snacks.

I would certainly do it again but I love sleeper trains and have done quite a few.

In terms of snorkeling in Italy - Puglia (right down at the very bottom - Otranto is lovely and so is Castro) or Calabria.... Castro you will find many boat owners that will take you out for the day too.

That cilento coast is fantastic
We rented a villa there two years ago have got a great contact who would definitely help you if you wanted to go. I would not recommend the villa we stayed in though.
Other absolutely wonderful place is vieste.
I really think this is one of the nicest places on earth.
We stayed in a hotel called I melograni take a look .
There's also a camp site next to the hotel.

We’re in Corsica at the moment and it’s gorgeous! We took the ferry from
Livorno (about 4 hours, 200eur round trip). Children loved it as it even had a little swimming pool on deck. We’ve been snorkeling, swimming and enjoying the pool, but to be honest even a week isn’t enough to scratch the surface of what’s here. So much beauty! The best snorkeling is on the southeast coast at Rondinara and Palombaggia beaches (beautiful white sand and turquoise water). We’re staying at a Yelloh village about an hour south of Bastia and it’s been brilliant and also more economical. They have lovely little wooden chalets right on the beach! It’s called Le Campoloro and I would highly recommend it.

Hope you don't mind me jumping on your thread but we are also looking at Italy for next summer.

We can't go until mid August and was originally looking for recommendations near Lake Maggiore but lots of the hotels seem full (or closed?) already so open to other recommendations for bed & breakfast hotel or possibly sc apartment with lots of choice of bars & restaurants walking distance away.
Will be flying from London and Day by mind driving the other end