Hi everyone, first time here so please excuse any etiquette breaches! We are starting to plan our trip for June/July next year - first time we have been with children aged 8 and 5. My husband speaks reasonable Italian having originally hailed from Trieste but doesn't know Italy apart from Genoa that well, we have spent time in Rome and Venice. My questions are: what would be a good location to stay for a week before we meet up with another family? Thechildren love swimming, so was thinking maybe a villa with pool? Would like somewhere that is different enough from Australia (ie not a resort), so they can get a flavour of the country, little bit of culture, good food, then relaxing in the afternoon. Happy to hire a car, but would like to be able to walk to a village in the evening to have a drink/gelato. We are flying in to Milan so woould get the train and then pick up car.

Many thanks!

If you're flying into Milan, are you meeting your friends in the area? There's no point in driving way down South if you are.

I'd guess that you should consider one of the Italian Lakes, Como, Garda or Maggiore.

We once stayed between Lake Como and Lake Lugano in a house with views to Lake Piano, shared with my sister-in-law and her husband. The house didn't have a pool but there was a pizza oven in the backyard. It was just a short drive to both Como and Lugano, and a day trip to St. Moritz and Milan. I would consider the Como area and if it's too expensive, stay just slightly out of the main tourist areas like we did. We had a fantastic time and even did some major hill-climbing just out of Como. My calves have never burned so much! I will point out though that this area is called the pre-alpi (the pre-alps) for a reason - roads are mountainous and windy, and boy does it get cold. We were there over New Year and it was freezing!

Lavandula

Thanks for these suggestions! Yes, I think the Lakes is probably a good choice - and are there any suggestions for week 2? Or would we maybe better off going down south to Puglia, maybe Otranto or similar for 2 whole weeks at that time of year? So much planning - trouble is it all looks too good!

The south will be very, very hot in your time frame. In fact, anywhere that is verh flat like most of Puglia will be hot, so you might think about renting someplace that has elevation, amid hills. Catching a Mediterranean sea breeze can be nice in July. You might think about the hills between Genova and Sestri Levante.

SInce you are traveling with kids, you might find it easier to pick just one location, or two that are no more than a 4 hour drive from each other. Combining a lake stay with a Mediterranean stay might work. Lago Maggiore would be simple for your arrival in Milan, and the lake as some appealing activities for kids: boat rides to islands, cable car rides, easy walks around the Lake, plenty of ice cream.