Help me plan a family holiday to Italy.

[ItalianDreaming]

I'm planning a family holiday to Italy, probably in June 2026.

It would be for 2-4 adults and 4 children/teenagers aged mid-primary to end of high school for 10-14 days.

In the past, holidays that have a good mix of culture and relaxing by the pool have been a big hit. Sometimes spending a few nights in one part of a country and then moving to a different location.
I'd prefer not to do Rome, but would like to be able to do say trips do, or spend a few days seeing somewhere like Pompeii.

We like things to not feel really busy or crowded, but don't want to be so far out that there's nothing to see or do other than pool stuff. Decent pool(s) are a priority for the kids.

I'm open to self catering or a hotel, so long as it isn't packed with other tourists and still feels like there's plenty of our own space.

Sorrento area is beautiful lots to do and close to Pompeii. Why no Rome?

I just think it might be better to do it when it's a bit cooler, just my husband and I. I'm not against Rome, I just wonder if it would be too hot and busy in June?

Lakes? Lots to do and lovely for swimming/pedaloes

Lake Garda, plenty to do, lots of villas with the private access to lake etc.

Yep Lake Garda with day trips to Venice and verona. Lake is fab, food fab and teenage ds said it was his best holiday.

Ds1 enjoyed Rome, Florence, Bologna food tour, and the Almafi Coast.

Lake Garda

Another vote for lake Garda.

I also came on to say Lake Garda. We've done it with flights to Milan and then trains. Italian trains are excellent and cheap. From Garda you can day trip to the Dolomites, Verona and Venice, Bergamo is also lovely.

Lake Garda with a day trip to Venice and another trip to Verona (which l much preferred to Rome!)

The train system in Italy is fantastic- clean, in time, not overcrowded and great value. Consider using it to move from place to place. Dd recently visited Lake Como and declared it one of the most beautiful places she's ever seen

Thanks for all of the suggestions. Overwhelmingly Lale Garda!

Happy to hear of the good train network, my husband isn't keen on driving in busy Italian cities.

So now i suppose it's just about finding the right accommodation!

Lake Garda for me...lots of things from cable cars, ferries, culture and beach.

Also Lake Garda!

We stayed in Peschiera del Garda on a campsite (booked directly and able to book one of the 'villas' that were new last year, would recommend). It was a nice walk to the train station where we went direct to Venice and Verona and we also walked to Gardaland one day which was a huge hit with the kids.

Doing Naples/Pompeii/Rome at Easter but only for a few days and less relaxing by a pool but looking forward to it.

What was the campsite called?

@ItalianDreaming it was Del Garda Village & Camping.

We stayed in Peschiera del Garda and I would never go back. One of the worst places, rude people, miles to trek anywhere, dirty, opposite Gardaland which was good to be fair, but filled up in the evening with loads of loud groups buying refillable beer lanyards.
Much preferred Malcesine, Garda, Riva, Limone.
Sorrento is nice but the only beach places are bathing platforms that you rent a space on, or the occasional hotel with one. Pompeii will be just as bad as Rome - no shelter and crowded. I don't mind Sorrento but only as a base to explore.
Love Florence but not for a Summer holiday. Maybe a villa in Tuscany if you don't mind renting a car.

We booked flights to venice then hired a car to go to lake garda. We booked accommodation through air b and b. I agree the big sites did not appeal to us but there are lots of options around the lake. We preferred the south end.

I'm worried about ending up somewhere very built up and busy around the lakes.

I like the idea of a villa in Tuscany. Is there plenty to see and do?

Just have to warn you, it will be insanely hot in Pompeii at that time of year. I've been to Lake Garda as well and it's lovely. A great mix for enjoying the sun, doing cultural things and perhaps going to Gardaland for the rides. My kid loved it.

Ok. Maybe we will do Pompeii at a different time of the year. The kids love the pool, but I want to feel like I've experienced some of Italy and haven't just sat by a pool that could have been anywhere, France or Spain etc.

Yes definitely. Florence in June will be ok, San Gimignano is gorgeous, tiny ruins in Fiesole near Florence etc

How about Ischia with some days on the mainland to do Pompeii and Herculaneum. Ischia shouldn't be overrun in June. Lake Garda is also lovely - we stayed in Desenzano last time - train to Verona and Venice - and lots to do in the area, boat trips, GardaLand etc.

From what I recall, the only places on Lake Garda I would consider to be at all built up are in the south near to Dezenzano and Peschiera, however the road around the lake does tend to be busy during summer months as there is no dual carriageway and it goes through the villages. It's also a lot busier on the east side than the west, and the prettier towns are those towards the north. But if you want to be visiting Venice, Verona etc the train stations are at Dezenzano and Peschiera.

I'd go for Sorrento as well, as long as you like the heat; Garda is lovely but I feel there's a lot more to do with Pompeii, Amalfi, Capri etc.