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Holidays

Use our Travel forum for recommendations on everything from day trips to the best family-friendly holiday destinations.

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Original poster

Talk to me about Italy.

11 replies

Kayzr · 20/05/2009 09:22

We have decided we want to go to Italy next year. But we aren't really sure where we want to go. I'd love to go to Rome for a day just to have a look and would like to be fairly near a beach. But DH wants to go to the north and go into the mountains.

So is there anywhere that is a best of both?

BTW we can't drive which makes things a bit harder.

OP posts:

WetAugust · 22/05/2009 00:11

Try a coach tour. I did one last year that travelled down the length of Italy taking in Pisa, Florence, Rome, Sorrento before catching the ferry over to Sicily and spending a week touring the island.

As the entire backbone of Italy is mountainous you'll find plenty in most regions.

Tigerbear · 22/05/2009 00:21

We went to the Abruzzo mountain region a few years ago and it was stunning, however obviously not sure how much of it will still be ok, following the earthquakes
We travelled to Rome for the day (only about 1.5 hours to get there) and also went to Naples for the day, same distance. You could try Pescara, which is where the nearest airport is to Abbruzzo, as it's on the coast, however it didn't look too pretty (nice, but not picturesque, iyswim).

We had heard that there are still bears and wolves in the Abruzzo, so went with the intention of trying to see one.
The locals kept telling us we wouldn't, as they are so rare (only about 50 bears left). But we did see one! Well, DH saw it - I was just a few steps away, but didn't see it
Also saw a herd of chamois! Pretty awesome!

Original poster

Kayzr · 22/05/2009 10:00

The coach tour sounds good but not sure about the DCs.

OP posts:

dontdillydally · 22/05/2009 14:01

I have lovely memories of Italy - We went to Sorrento when I was 8 weeks pregnant it was our final hols before DS arrived.

It was the most romantic, scenic place Ive ever been to. I loved it, gorgeous old traditional hotels, fab food, lovely, lovely people. We did a boat trip to Capri which again the scenery was stunning. It was a very, very different type of holiday but Im looking at it from a singles point of view. Everything shut down at 11pm, food and drinks were massively expensive - G & T was £5 and that was 5 years ago.

Now my friend goes to a plae near Lake Garda and Gardaland theme park with her children, they stay in a farmhouse and hire a car. She has also stayed here with her children www.villapia.com

Original poster

Kayzr · 22/05/2009 14:02

That looks lovely. Thanks.

OP posts:

Norwoodeye · 23/05/2009 11:01

We have stayed in Sicily, which was a tad hot for young children, Tuscany, Umbria. If you are going in the heat of the summer either base yourself at the sea or higher up near the appenines or alps.

Our best family holiday in Italy was spent at a Villa in Le Marche, there was lots to do, great sightseeing, a very big pool and lots of
cool shady areas.

The local town of Sarnano has plenty of good shops and restaurants, mini golf and a good park and literally a festa a day in peak Summer. Theres a fantastic lake nearby with trattorias and ice cream bars on the beach.

littlerach · 23/05/2009 11:16

We have been to Abruzzo region as my friend lives there.

It was lovely and so peaceeful and the people were very nice and understanding our our crap attmepts to speak Italian

Oh, and the food....

littlerach · 23/05/2009 11:17

Just seent hat you don't drive.
My friend has lots of people visit her who don't drive, and they use the train a great deal.

Leslaki · 23/05/2009 21:12

try here - I took my dc (then 5 and 6) last year and it was so fantastic we're going back this year! It's on the main venice - caorle bus route with a bus stop right outside campsite so you don't need to drive! I didn't hire a car last year and didn't need it. campsite has a fab pool complex and is right on a gorgeous beach. You can get a bus in to venice, caorle (with a water park and lovely centre) or lido de jesolo which is big resort with a huge waterpark. I knwo it's not Rome but venice is just as special!! You can also walk through the pine woods to Eraclea Mare - the nearest town which is 5 mins away and has lots of restuarants. campsite restuarant was excellent though and ther's plenty for the kids to do. It's a very easy holiday without a car!!

Original poster

Kayzr · 24/05/2009 07:51

Leslaki that looks lovely!!

OP posts:

Portofino · 25/05/2009 10:07

How about Le Cinque Terre? here

Close to Genoa for flights. The whole, absolutely gorgeous coastline is accessible by train. Or you can walk the coastal paths between the villages. We based ourselves in Deiva Marina (pebbly beach) as we got a cheap deal. Other villages have sand. The food and scenery were fabulous. The train makes it easy to venture further - eg. Portofino, Lerici etc.

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