Advice appreciated Lake Garda or Sardinia

[MegCleary]

planning to head away with DH and the DDs (14 &17) end May. DD finished a levels and wants to lay by pool in hotel.
I like the idea of Lake Garda but also Sardinia. I like the idea of an all inclusive just a fly and flop holiday and am wondering if that is more Sardinia. Advice appreciated.

Sardinia is absolutely beautiful. I’ve only stayed on the north east coast (Costa smerelda I think) and loved it. We weren’t in a fly and flop resort as that’s not our cup of tea, but there were plenty of them. The sea was gorgeous.

Sardinia is lovely and the beaches/sea are stunning, interesting archaeological sites. You really feel you have been away. Lake Garda is of course lovely too but in a more every day way iyswim. I think you have to think what you/the kids want to do, experience and use that to help you decide. Note when we were in Sardinia there were no all inclusives but it was a while ago.

I haven't been to Sardinia so can't comment but Lake Garda was stunning. We stayed in Riva in the north where the lake meets the mountains and it was just another level of beauty. I live in an AONB in the UK so am used to natural beauty but it was something else. Going to the top of Monte Baldo was my favourite bit.

The weather was perfect for us as it never got too hot as every afternoon a breeze would come up and there would usually be one short storm a day. If you want non stop heat and sunshine though it may not be for you.

I’ve been to both & much preferred lake Garda. But we wanted to be out visiting places which lake Garda is more suited for. If you’re wanting a beach holiday then I’d say Sardinia

this is all very helpful thanks all, keep em coming

Look at Delphina.it for Sardinia. Not AI but you can add meal packages. We stayed at Cala di Falco and the Costa Smeralda beaches are amazing. Lake Garda has lots to do, so I see that as more of an active holiday than a fly and flop. https://www.delphinahotels.co.uk/index_en.html

Lake Garda is not fly and flop. You can do boat trips, walk around old towns, go and see Verona and Venice, go to theme parks etc

For a beach holiday and resorts, definitely choose Sardinia.
it will also be hotter but not too hot yet. The Olbia region (North, Costa Smeralda) is nicer than Cagliari area.

Sardinian beaches and sea were beautiful and where we stayed not many people spoke English so we had to try and get by, so it was a proper holiday adventure (booked it independently rather than a package) The drivers there were absolute maniacs, we normally hire a car wherever we go but it was one of the few places we found it stressful driving.

I'm looking for a hotel near / on Lake Garda in August for family of 4 including 2 teenagers, we've been before and know the area but struggling for a modern family hotel walking distance of a town.

I've always stayed on the East side of Lake Garda which tends to be quite busy in terms of places to visit and had a fairly active holiday, but I believe that the West side is quieter and I think has some quite nice hotels.

There is probably more choice of 'fly and flop' hotels in Sardinia though. I would just check the placement of the hotel in relation to local towns, transport etc if you aren't planning to hire a car (which we did with no problem). We stayed near to Olbia / Costa Smerelda.

https://hotelvittorio.it/en/ We stayed here a couple of years ago. Across from harbour/boat dock. Lots of shops and restaurants nearby.

This new place is opening soon. Not sure it’s walking distance though. https://offers.stroblhof-gardasee.com/

Quellenhof Lazise is beautiful but very expensive.

For Sardinia, Forte Village if you can afford it or maybe consider Mangia Resort https://www.mangias.com/en/resorts/mangias-sardinia-resort

@MissAmbrosia we stayed in that hotel in Desenzano more than 25 years ago on a coach holiday. I can see it's had a big upgrade as it was very basic accommodation at the time - but in a fantastic position. Very convenient and beautiful views over the lake.

So one person wants to f&f, what about the other 3 ?

I've been to L.G. once, & S. twice. I think S is more likely to be more interesting, & offer a better range of hotels, activities, etc.

Been to both. I think Lake Garda is more sightseeing than fly and flop - we stay in a lakeside resort but you have to be pretty hardy to swim in the lake. Lots of lovely villages to see but traffic very busy and it’s quite touristy.

Sardinia has gorgeous beaches and Caribbean clear seas. It has a younger vibe to me. Don’t know about all inclusive but we took teens to Alghero and we love San Teodoro. Have hired cars and not found the traffic too bad.

But we have been to both places in early/mid June and weather can be very mixed. We’ve had days of rain/ cloud in both and days of 27 degrees. No guarantees on sunshine in Italy late May and the pools are likely to be cold. Maybe look at Greece or Turkey …

Thanks for all the advice, DD1 just wants to collapse after a levels and DD2 just happy as long as there’s a pool. DH does t want it too hot but where we struggle is getting two bedroom place. DH a snorer and hotels apparently can’t guarantee we had two rooms beside each other.

Do check out if pools are heated or you may not get much use of it in May in Italy.

If your children are 14 and 17 do you really need adjoining rooms? This wouldn’t have bothered us at that age - and we had teenagers before the Adam’s of mobile phones and instant messaging.

Falkensteiner Sardinia has a sale on atm.
www.falkensteiner.com/en/resort-capo-boi/paradise-family

Sicily will be much hotter in May. Definitely pool weather.
look at Mangia resorts, Grand Palladium or Una Resort in Giardini Naxos. Club Med near Cefalu is also amazing.

@SchoolDilemma17
Interestingly, average weather stats show an average daily high temperature of 23 degrees in Lake Garda and Sardinia, and 24 degrees for Sicily - so not that much warmer. It seems to be a lot drier though so that probably makes for better weather overall. June temperatures are the same for all 3 places.

All change off to Paphos now!!

I have been to Sicily 3 times in May half term (end May/early June) and it was always over 27/28, most days it was around 30 degrees. I grew up near Lake Garda and have family there, and it’s generally not that hot there in May.

I always wanted to go to Sardinia and we went a couple of years ago and loved it. We stayed just outside Alghero on the north east coast away from the hustle and expense of the Costa Smerelda. Lovely towns and things to see - check out Bosa. Gorgeous sunsets. We stayed here: https://www.vrbo.com/en-gb/p6790736 and it was epic! Friends went to Lake Garda last year and loved it but I love the seaside personally.

Me too !! Looking for hotel or apartment recommendations in both Lake Garda and Sardinia so am keen to follow the thread. Family of four with 21&18 year old kids end August - after MA submission