2897 Somewhere to swim?

Please could someone help? An elderly - but very game - friend and myself (not elderly) are looking for somewhere to stay where we can swim every day in the sea, lake or river - not a pool. I'm a poor teacher so on a limited budget but would like to be near reliable supplies of alcohol and good food. We'll be travelling by train but want to avoid a big resort such as Rimini.
Any advice would be much appreciated.

Clarry

Category
Travel & Holiday Advice

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Wed, 03/08/2006 - 09:48

What time of year are you coming....?.....Not sure exactly when the sea will be warm enough.....probably August the way the weather is at the moment !!!!

Pesaro in Le Marche is a lovely reosrt ...well it was in the 70s and is very popular with Italians, so you will get a more Italian Holiday resort than Rimini. Lots of bars restaurants and hotels along a nice long promenade. the town of Pesaro is just behind the coast road so you have the best of both worlds and not a purpose built resort.

If you wanted a bit of culture as well as plenty of nightlife...Firenze ( Florence) had a brilliant open air swimming pool down by the river , so you could get the best of both worlds there if a city appealed.

Puglia , where we live, is still relatively undeveloped and the social scene is really only in July and August...most things shut outside of those times ...and avoid any coastal area in August..full stop...because the whole of Italy go on holiday in August and the beaches are heaving....so are the roads.

I'm sure others will have some even better ideas.:cool:
Happy Holiday...let us know where you decide to go.

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 03/09/2006 - 06:59

If you fancy the riviera dei fiori you could consider Sanremo - possibility of self-catering or hotel and sea front lidos. Bordighera has a lovely seafront and lots of hotels and a station. Or a little further along the coast (with a station) is the sandy beach of Arma di Taggia. I would think swimming from June onwards. Now sitting in the sun that's another matter - that seems to be possible all year round, if the weather is right. This area also allows side trips by train to Menton, Nice etc.;)

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 03/30/2006 - 07:13

Thanks so much for those. The coast around Sanremo sounds the most accessible so might investigate that. I have heard, vaguely, that it is possible to swim in Lake Como - does anyone know anything about that and are places there accessible by rail. We'll be travellin in mid-June.

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 03/30/2006 - 07:27

Hi Clarry

Yes it is possible to swim in Lake Como and in the summer months the lake is surprisingly warm.There is also paragliding ,water skiing etc if you are adventurous!!! Mostly shingle beaches but kept very clean and tidy. Where we have our holiday home in Menaggio there is also a nice lido which is inexpensive and has a bar/restaurant and grassy areas to sit and picnic.
Have a good one:)
Tricia:)

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 03/30/2006 - 07:29

If you are hiring a car, why not try Lake Fiastra, set amongst mountains, and certainly away from the bustle of crowded beaches. Send me a pm and will give you the low down on local accommodation close to the lake.

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 03/30/2006 - 07:45

Sorry
Re trains There are train services around the lake but ferries are the most convenient way to access the many lakeside villages.Not expensive and very reliable.Local bus services are very good too.There is a regular bus service to Lugano in Switzerland from Menaggio about 45 mins and it hugs the lakeside .A very pretty journey
Tricia
PM if you need more info:)

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 03/30/2006 - 11:58

For some reason missed this thread earlier! Have you considered Bolsena, there are hotels right on the shore of Lago di Bolsena which is great to swim in.

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sat, 04/01/2006 - 09:29

Why does everyone say Rimini when they want to avoid big, tacky busy resorts with no character? (I tend to agree that Rimini fits that description) but nobody ever seems to say the same for Sorrento which is just as Brits abroad and tacky IMHO!!
The poster who suggested Pesaro has given a great suggestion but also slightly further up the coast (approx 18 kms North) you will find a delightful little triangle taking up 3 very distict areas-----Gabicce Mare, Gradara & Cattolica.
Cattolica is a thriving holiday resort but much more refined and smaller than Rimini and Riccione (which is just as awful as Rimini by the way).
Cattolica has changed beyond all recognition in the last 8 years and now has some wonderful fountain developments, pedestrian areas and wonderful beach ammenities.Oh and a brand new marina and harbour area.
Gabicce Mare is much smaller and leads up to Gabicce Monte and the San Bartolo national park with stunning scenery and hidden little coves.
Gradara------well as one of Italy's best preserved medieval villages it's just an ideal solution for someone looking for action, scenery and the real Italy.
A delightful cocktail and still trying to throw off it's reputation of being Rimini's neighbour.
Give it a try you will find something for you I'm sure.
It gives you the best of 2 regions Emilia Romagna and Le Marche.