Where to go with 4 and 1 year old in May

[FlapJackered]

We are looking into booking a holiday in May but getting a bit overwhelmed with choosing somewhere! We haven't been abroad with children before so it's a new experience!

• It will be my husband and I and our active 4 year old and 1 year old.
• We are probably looking at staying in an air bnb or on a farm type place rather than a hotel.
• It would be good to find somewhere near a sandy beach.
• some activities nearby would be good but not essential.
• We don't mind renting a car.

We were thinking of Puglia in Italy but heard some bad reviews recently saying it's not very safe and also lots of rubbish everywhere?
Also considering elsewhere in Italy, Greece, Sardinia, Sicily and open to suggestions!

Any advice would be really appreciated! Thank you!

Would you consider the south of France? There are a few great places for families with young dc that I can recommend

https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Tourism-g609043-Denia_Costa_Blanca_Province_of_Alicante_Valencian_Community-Vacations.html

We went here with young children, there was a little train that takes you up to the castle.

Lake Garda. So beautiful, clean, easy to drive around, loads of air bnb type places to stay. Buggy friendly, also a great place to hire bikes with a child seat. Very easy to feed little ones and also can get the train to other places for a day, eg Verona. No sandy beaches though.

Thank you! Will take a look at those

@Yuckyyuckyuckity lake Garda was on our list so will definitely take a look at that.

@Forgottenmyphone France normally would be our first choice but we may be going on an extended family holiday there in 2026 so wanted to try something different this time.

If you are looking at Italy I would near in mind that they have two kinds of beaches. Private ones with sun beds, changing facilities and a restaurant where you pay an entrance fee, or the public ones which are quite scruffy .