Northern Italy - In August

[popsickle555]

Travelling with DH and 2 DC's who are 12 and 9. Looking for ideas on where to locate ourselves for a week. I am thinking the North may be less hot than the south but not got much further than that!

We would like to swim a lot and walk a bit (mountains?) or maybe do some water based activities.

Will Venice be unbearable at that time?

Looking for more of a chill out and relax / look at beautiful scenery type holiday than loads of sights as I know it will be hot.

Please can anyone share locations to look at?

Italian friends say it'll be fine in the mountains but forget the rest of Italy in August

Italian lakes. So lugana, como or Garda. I like Garda best - north is most beautiful and will be cooler. But it can still get very hot in August.

North end of Lake Garda - Riva or Torbole. There are watersports based at the Hotel Du Lac et Du Parc .Waterfalls are a short hike from centre of Riva , Monte Baldo at Malcesine opens up more alpine terrain for walks and activities. Further south are waterparks and Gardaland.

Look at a place called Merano, beautiful town in the mountains and there's a wonderful swimming complex/spa there with 15+ pools (i cant remember exact amount), there's a ski resort above the town for nice walks.