Where in Italy?!

tiff

I would start with the budget airlines from your nearest airport and work from there. For example I can get to Pisa with Ryanair and fancy Lucca which is nearby, or Milan Bergamo for Lake Garda.

markandkate

The beauty of Italy is that you can have lots of different types of holiday in one. You could fly into Milan and have a city break and then drive or get the train up to lake Garda or Lake Maggiore. One at the lakes you can get around by the ferries that go from one town to another on the lakeside.

You could fly into Venice and then after a few days head off to Lido d Jessolo for some relaxing or you could visit Rimini and fit in a city break to Bologna. You could also fly to Genoa and then head along the coast there

Head for Rome and then visit the coast by train for a few days by the sea before heading home. This sort of idea works with Pisa and also Naples. Fly to Naples and then get the train to lovely Sorrento and visit Pompeii

Public transport particulalry the trains are very good and easy to get around. Probably the best thing is to see where you can fly from your local airport and if you feel confident enough design your own trip

Nigbob

ginvzt wrote: »

I'll tell you what my italian husband thinks of Rimini: Rimini in Italy = Blackpool in UK.

I would go to the west side. We have been this summer to Cinque Terre. Very pretty, but very expensive! Have a look at Liguria region, we have been there couple of times camping, and it was lovely. We have stayed on both sides of Genova (east and west), and I liked them both.

I would agree with you myself, however for two girls in their early 20's who are looking for a beach holiday, Rimini is fine. I think your husband is being a bit harsh on Rimini. Sure it's very commercial, but not that tacky. Besides if it's a bit of culture you want, Ravenna is nearby.

My Italian teacher always told me that the best Italian beaches are actually on Sardinia, though I've not been myself.

Ponkle22

Pop into Trip Advisor forums. Go to Italy section. Put beach in the search box then read away to your hearts content. Lots of lovely beaches in Italy. The train is great all the way down the west coast should get you near to a beach. Not sure how you are for funds but you could always join in camping on the beach with mainly young Italians who love to party. Lots of camping beach places - you'd need to surf the net.

Hope this helps,
Ponkle22

vegasvisitor

I don't agree either that Rimini is like Blackpool. Maybe it's a close as you get in Italy, but it's certainly not that tacky or run down, or dirty etc. I'm not a fan of Blackpool at all, but have been to Rimini twice and would go back.

I have also heard that Viareggio is nice. Been to Desenzano di Garda and although lovely, I don't think there would be enough to do for a whole holiday.

One of my favourite holidays was a trip around Italy. We flew to Rome, stayed a few nights, train to Florence, few nights there, then over to Rimini for 5 night, and finally up to Milan. Only place I didn't really like was Milan. Next time we were back in that area we stayed in Bergamo, which was lovely. I'd go back there in a minute.

I'm trying to think of city/beach combinations, but there's not that many spring to mind. If I was looking for that I'd try Viareggio and Florence. Never been in Pisa so I'd also stop by briefly and see the leaning tower. Heard there's not much else to see there.

Ponkle22

I know some lovely beaches but all of them need a car. However, there are plenty that have a seaside railway and/or buses to get to them and to get about. The train network is fantastic in Italy (exept on the days they have train strikes) and I would do a search for Italian seaside or Italian beach location near train station and see what comes up.

Sicily is not known for good public transport btw and Sardinia is not particularly but there are town beaches near public transport - just the really nice beaches are further out away from public transport. Ah - I've just remembered one ive visited in Sardinia and used public transport to get around but I forget the names. I will try and look it up and find the info...

Ponkle22

.....it was the north west of Sardinia. cant remember which airport I flew into but we paid the hotel to collect us. Then from the hotel which was on miles and miles of white sandy beach (heaven) there was a bus right outside the hotel that I think took us into Sassari. There was a train station in sassari and we took a train to other locations. The hotel was in a quiet area called Platamona and was in the Golfo del Asinara.

However as twenty somethings this might be just too quiet for you (though it becomes hectic in July and August).

Personally Id find a beach on a small town in mainland italy by searching. Also try owners direct and holiday lettings for possible apartment rental. If renting off of Italians they will expect you to either clean the apartment thoroughly at the end of your stay or pay extra for them to perform a professional clean. Just so you know.

Hope this helps.