Where to go in Italy, advice welcome.

[shadypines]

I'd like to plan a trip to Italy next year for me and adult DD. I have only ever been to Rome and that was nearly 25 years ago. I would appreciate some pointers/advice on nice places if I give a list of what we are looking for:-

1. Fairly quiet beach, doesn't have to be desolate but definately not heaving with people. Somewhere safe to swim. Must be clean on the whole.
2. Small town/large village. Something pretty to look at and situated near to beach preferably.
3. A scattering of shops/cafes. Again not a buzzing shoppers paradise, just enough to be able to spend a few days pottering around.
4. Nice cafes, preferably with views, good food or just ice cream places.
5. A few places of interest either situated there or close by eg. an old church, statue, something historical or some gardens.
6. Nice walks, nothing too strenuous, easy to moderate is fine, can do a bit of 'climbing/scrambling' if necessary.
7. Raving nightlife not necessary just somewhere nice to eat, people/view watch and have a glass of wine.

That's it in a nutshell, our little dream.

Cefalu in Sicily

Maybe look at one of the lakes rather than the coast.

Somewhere like Lake Garda has plenty of small towns, boats, castles, vineyards within a short distance. Lovely scenery and food, even if a little bit touristy now. I'd love to go back when my kids are a bit older as I've had some lovely times there.

I also loved Sardinia, Rome, Florence and Venice but if you don't want a total sightseeing trip I'd avoid a city or an island.

I second Lake Garda, the northern shore is quieter. It is probably my best ever holiday, for sightseeing we went to Verona, and up Monte Baldo on the cable car. There are lots of little towns to wander around, and lovely food. Every time we got too hot we found a place to swim in the lake.

I’m a bit stumped trying to think of somewhere with a quiet beach…..Camogli around Easter time? (the beach is heaving in summer, though).

Lake Como has a lot of the things you are looking for. Boat trips across the lake to the pretty lakeside villages, each with an array of interesting shops, cafes and restaurants. Dotted around the lake are various gardens, the spectacular Villa Carlotta is one, but there are others.
You could stay at Como, though that can get quite busy, so you might prefer one of the smaller places around the lake, there is a wide range of hotels to choose from. Many of the hotels have pools as you mention swimming.

Lake Garda is probably my favourite destination in Italy.

Malcesine on Lake Garda is beautiful! Not beachy but you can swim in the lake, hire boats, the food is amazing. Take the cable cars down the mountain.. visit Garda land theme park maybe... Very highly recommended!

we're just back from Riva del Garda (our third holiday on Garda, I've just realized!) and it is absolutely gorgeous. It has lovely old centre with loads of restaurants, a park and beaches. Then there are beautiful villages all around the lake: Limone, Malcesine, Lasize and Sirmione, so you can get the picturesque touristy vibe. The scenery up the at the north end of the lake (by Riva) is spectacular, as the mountains of Trentino start there. Loads of biking (ebike for me) and walking options there, and smaller lakes to swim in (Ledro, Molveno and Tenno are stunning). Bear in mind that August is packed everywhere in Italy. June and September are much quieter. We went in early July and it was busy but not packed. www.gardatrentino.it/en/dolce-vita/relax-and-beaches/beaches-relax

We are just back from Stresa (Lake Maggiore) and Desenzano (Lake Garda) and both would meet criteria apart from the beach part. Cannigione in Sardinia would meet requirements, especially if you hire a car for a few days to visit some of the beaches. Or Lerici/Sestri Levante in Liguria. I would never go in August though. June, September or early July.

I don't think you go to Italy for beaches particularly. But there are some decent ones in Puglia if you like the heat. There are also some pretty old towns there, Lecce & Ostuni.
There is amazing coast line down the west side - Cinque Terra, Amalfi coast etc but it's pebbly rather than sandy, and pricey in summer.
For your other criteria, I'd go to Tuscany or Umbria.

Sicily.

I came on to say Lake Maggiore as well. It's beautiful, clean, warm and the villages around it are lovely.

Thank you for all your replies, all noted. Sounds like some wonderful places!