Italy, May, first time trip with two toddlers (!) -- where to go?

[exceptmeandmymonkey]

We've had a very difficult few years because of serious health issues; as a result, our last holiday was 2018, pre-DC. I'm nervous about traveling with kids.

I'd love to start daydreaming where to travel. I'm thinking Italy in May 2023, but I'd like to zero in on a town/region to visit -- can you suggest any?

Pre-children we loved low-key cultural city and countryside breaks (nice but not fancy Airbnb, focus on food and walking around, visits to not-famous art galleries). We're not beach people.

The specs:

• Italy (short flight, lovely food, child friendly)
• No car but happy to hire an airport transfer or take a train
• Prefer small city/town to big city but need to be able to walk to access things (so no remote countryside)
• Direct flights from my local airport to Catania, Milan, Naples, Pisa, Rome, Turin, Venice, Verona
• DC will be 3.5 and 2.5
• Don't like resorts/all inclusives prefer independence and ability to walk and grab coffee/dinner, so something like Villa Pia does not appeal

It has been a very stressful period of my life and daydreaming about this trip is giving me hope! Thank you for any suggestions.

Lake Garda. It's beautiful and it has a Peppa Pig land.

Maybe two cities? Venice is lovely but possibly hardwork with a pushchair? Rovereto has a lovely art gallery. Venice, Rovereto, Verona, Ferrara are all on the same train line (I think!) if you fancy moving around. Ferrara you could hire bikes and cycle round the walls, explore the castle and more galleries...

Agree Lake Garda. The southerly resorts are accessible by train from Verona. If transfers are a concern look at Tui or Inghams packages. Alternatively Lake Maggiore is accessible from Milan.

The lakes. Don't bother with naples or rome, chaotic. Lake garda. Verona. Flat, and peppa pig world is great. You need a car, really. Lake como good if you base yourself in the centre. Easy to walk around and do boat trips.

Wow, I'm so overwhelmed with the quick recs! Thank you so much!

To be honest, we're not amusement park people, so even though I see tons of Lake Garda recs (I researched earlier threads) it's not really calling to me. A cultural, pretty small town seems like a nice bet during what is our first family trip ... but probably also last one before the kids are old enough to demand we take them to amusement parks.

We definitely won't have a car and don't want to stay in a resort/all inclusive -- just not the vibe we're after. Maybe outskirts of Rome? Emilia Romagna? Sicily via Catania airport?

Lucca! It's fabulous & I think might be just what you're looking for

Garda, Sirmione, Malcesine and Riva are all quaint towns. There is a cablecar up from Malcesine to a small mountain for walks, petting farm, family activities, walks etc. Easily accessible by boat or bus. Verona is a short ride away (less than an hour) but easy to stroll around, Milan a bit further.

Alternatively Tuscan coast with resorts like Viareggio is close to Pisa and Lucca with Florence a bit further inland. Or you could stay somewhere in between like Montecatini and take train either way.

When DD was 2 we went to Sorrento. Flew into Naples, got a coach transfer to our apartment in Sorrento. From there we were able to get the train to Pompeii & Herculaneum - DD loved exploring the ruins; & got the bus down to coast to Amalfi, Minori & Ravello - fabulous views, food etc.
Sorrento is very family friendly; lots of places to eat. We found a local play park which was fab & as we were in self-catering bought food from the local bakery, fish mongers & supermarkets etc too.
From Sorrento you can also get the train to Naples if you want to visit the museums; a boat out to Capri or Ischia, or down the coast.
We found it a very family friendly holiday.

Pompeii is not pushchair friendly if your toddlers need one.

If you're thinking of Rome I would want to be central really. I think Rome is amazing but not great with little kids as there is a lot of walking. If you're thinking of Emilia Romagna then you could do Ferrara and then a seaside town. Or Bologna which always seems popular on mn!

Do not, under any circumstances, go to Venice, if you need a pushchair.

We've been all over Italy and they are so child friendly, it makes the whole holiday so much easier.

Agree - we used a baby carrier but DD was pretty happy walking for much of it, but we did use the carrier a lot when she got tired.
Pushchair was fine in Sorrento though.

Lake Maggiore is beautiful - easy transfer from Milan Malpensa. Boat trips, nice parks and gardens to run around in. Lovely food.

www.stresa.com/

Thanks for this -- looking into it and it does seem like a good fit.

@LIZS I had never heard of Lake Garda before seeing it in Mumsnet threads, but a quick google looked quite built-up, hence my hesitation as I hoped for a charming small city/big town. I will look into these though!

@APurpleSquirrel This is also extremely helpful -- nice to see how another family with a similar age kid planned a visit. With two under four, I suspect we might only do 1-2 day trips just to keep it relaxed, but it's so nice to see the options and I def will look into Sorrento!

As for the Venice recs, I completely agree, not good for pushchairs and we will have one. I've only been to Italy twice and on one visit, to Venice, I spent half my time trying to help other tourists with pushchairs and wheelchairs. Not ideal and I felt awful for people with limited mobility.