2611 First Family Holiday to Italy

Can someone help me? I am planning to travel to Italy with my two young (4 & 6) children this year for the first time. I'd like some beach and preferably a rental property with a pool.

If we go in May where is best for us?

Any help much appreciated

Category
Travel & Holiday Advice

Dunno really the only to beach resorts I know are Rimini (day trip to Venice) or Viareggio (Day trips to Lucca, Pisa, Firenze (Florence)), both are typical beach resorts, Hotels tend to run beaches.

In Rimini - many many years ago we stayed in the Garden hotel - and it was a nice place - the place in Viareggio - they spoke no English so cant recommend them

You might like to take a look at a page we designed to give some child-friendly suggestions:
[url]http://www.tuscanhills.co.uk/Tuscany_for_kids.html[/url]

The suggestions are purely Tuscany based (as that's the region we offer rentals in) & focus on the areas we know......Italians love kids, so almost anywhere is fine ;)

[LEFT]A lot depends on what type of beach you like. I adore Italy and everything about it but have to admit that the beaches for children do not really bear comparison to those in Spain. We hate the typical Italian beach with rows and rows of sunbeds all lined up against each other but you may prefer to be organised like that. You also have to pay to go to that type of 'lido'.

We have been to the Tuscan coast and that was nice, but we stayed in a campsite with its own beach and the coast was a fair way from the main Tuscan towns you would want to visit.

We used to camp in Gargano in Puglia with a fantastic beach when ours were toddlers but don't know of any rental properties there and its a very long way. For us it was worth the 36 hour drive which we did for 7 years.

You may not have considered Puglia at all, but the beaches are ideal for children - not commercialised and slowly sloping sand into the water. Parking at the beach is easy and free. (There are also lidos along the coast.) There are properties to rent with pools and in May the price won't be too expensive and the weather should be good without being too hot. The people love children, the food is wonderful. Its not as cultural as somewhere like Tuscany but there's plenty to see and do and just being immersed in the wonderful olive groves is enough. My favourite photo of my two was at exactly the age of your two sitting in the branches of an ancient olive tree in Puglia. Discovery Travel and Long Travel I know offer places with pools, including trullo. The children would love a trulli - we own one and love it more each time we visit. However, if you do go this route, trullo often have steps at the side that take you onto the roof, which may not be a good idea with adventurous children - just bear it in mind.

Where ever you end up, the children will be welcomed and you'll have a lovely time.

[/LEFT]

[quote=hammer]Can someone help me? I am planning to travel to Italy with my two young (4 & 6) children this year for the first time. I'd like some beach and preferably a rental property with a pool.

If we go in May where is best for us?

Any help much appreciated[/quote]

[LEFT]You could do worse than Western Liguria in the area around San Remo (or even Diano Marina). You can have the beach (there are some decent public beaches as well as the pay beaches mentioned by others) and the pool. As well as a number of local attractions you are also just over an hour from Genoa and less than an hour from Monte Carlo. You can fly in to Nice (which is well served by the airlines) or Genoa (not as well served). You can always PM me if you want further info. [/LEFT]

[LEFT]
[URL="http://www.pradelletorri.com/en/home.html"]http://www.pradelletorri.com/en/home.html[/URL]

We took our children here a few years ago and they had a wonderful time. It's a 'campsite', but it also has chalets, bungalows and even a hotel. The facilities are second to none; for children and adults. It's right on the beach [Adriatic] between Caorle and Lido di Jesolo and Venice is only a short drive [or boat] away; as is Trieste.
We spent a week there and a week on Lake Garda at a similar place. There, the kids loved the Garda Land theme park, boating on the lake, swimming etc. You can also drive [or walk] into the mountains, hop around the lake on the ferries, visit Verona or even jump on a train to Milan or Bergamo.
In short, there was something for everyone and the kids loved it.

[/LEFT]

I have a friend (a lovely local family) with a nice, economical family-type holiday home that may be of interest (near Ostuni in Puglia - cheap Ryanair flights to nearby Brindisi). I`ll send you a PM with the details. :)
Hazel

For the first time in Italy, Tuscany could be a nice place. Perhaps not with the nicest beaches, but ideal for having a beautiful "italian culture immersion".
Have a nice trip!

hi,
if you are looking for a sandy beach this and many more are at about 20 minutes away from where we are check our place at [url]www.bbvillagiuliana.com[/url]
and let us know what you think.

ciao

Andrea

[quote=hammer]Can someone help me? I am planning to travel to Italy with my two young (4 & 6) children this year for the first time. I'd like some beach and preferably a rental property with a pool.

If we go in May where is best for us?

Any help much appreciated[/quote]

[LEFT]Clearly they weren't that bothered about getting any advice as they have not logged on to the Forum since they posted the original message![/LEFT]

Decision on 'where to go' could depend on 'how' you are travelling, and from 'where'

Hi
Marche is perfect for a family holiday. The beaches on the Adriatic coast are sandy and will be deserted in May. The Italians don't get involved with the beach until the temperatures are at least 30° ! There are some lovely properties to rent too here with pools, and of course cheap flights to Ancona with Ryan Air. Check out website below, holidayinmarche.com
Sally

How about Lake Garda? You can combine a beach (either sand or pebble), clear water, no overcrowding like in Rimini or similar resorts, with a fun family atmosphere and all the theme parks: Gardaland, Canevaworld, acqua parks etc.
Sarah
Post edited GeorgeS, commercial content.

Cattolica is a great area, lovely beaches lovely town and some good nearby interesting areas. Try this website [url]www.residencefiorella.com[/url].

Really nice, good quality appartments, 2 minutes walk from the beach, fantastic spot and very reasonable prices

Why not in Apulia/Puglia?
I can provide you a stunning villa very close to the Jonian beach.
See: [url]http://www.apuliarentals.com/index.php?option=com_hotproperty&task=view&id=9&Itemid=26[/url]

Regards