Favourite holiday destination?

Posts

dolcevita - 26/03/2008 10:30

I've been to loads of places in Italy, but I've never been able to decide which one I like best. Is everyone the same as me or do you have a stand out winner or a particular area that you always go back to?

lottiep - 27/03/2008 11:21

I go back to Tuscany time and time again. I love that area.

Maybe I should try somewhere else, but I love it in Tuscany! There are so many parts I have still to visit and we've had so many great holidays there.

No plans to go this year so far, but I am hoping to plan something soon. Maybe someone on this forum will convince me to try a new area, but it'll be a difficult job!

daisydaze - 27/03/2008 16:43

If you like the rolling hills and beautiful scenery of Tuscany, why not visit Le Marche which is just a short hop away towards the east coast? The landscape is spectacular, with green hills and pretty valleys, the Sibillini mountains in the south and a long sweeping coastline - that's just for starters. The food's great too!

lottiep - 28/03/2008 08:57

Thanks for the info. It does sound lovely - I saw the free supplement in this month's Italia mag but haven't had a proper look yet. I will have a read of it today and think about branching out for my next hol - not making any promises though! However nice it is, I think I might pine for Tuscany!

piccolo - 14/04/2008 14:57

I am with you - we've been to Italy 3 times. Each time we spend part of our vacation in Tuscany, just outside of Pienza. We are both having withdraw symptoms for not having been there for 1 1/2 years now. We also see something new and different each time we go. We've also been in lots of other places in Italy, but always return to Tuscany.

pegum88 - 14/04/2008 20:53

We agree with all the above comments about Tuscany - it is very appealing !! For Christmas 2007, the whole family (of 4, with 2 adult sons) spent a week in an apartment in a 15th C castle in the Val D'Orcia in southern Tuscany on the estate at La Foce - highly recommended !! And for a pleasant change, they DON'T switch to high season rates for the Christmas/New Year period - very refreshing.

- 15/04/2008 09:05

My favourite holiday was to Minori on the Amalfi coast 2004. I had picked up a book called ' Amalfi ' by Robert Gathorne-Hardy, at a car boot in the winter. It made a good winter read, with his stories of walks around Amalfi, and the people. So when we arrived for our holiday in the May, I was determined to get out on some walks around Minori. This was our first holiday with no children,and so could just amble around without having to entertain the children. Our first walk was to Ravello, wow, it started off on a track uphil, where every so often we were passed by these very fit young italian men carrying lemons in baskets on there backs, the sweat was pouring off them, but this was the only way to get the lemons down to the town, as they must have done for many years! The walk was very pleasant with wild flowers everywhere. We then came across a man with a donkey who was doing some repairs to a property, and loaded the donkey with the debrie and went again down the track to a Ape Van. We were just taken back in time . As we got nearer to the top of the mountain there were a few homes, and one was the home of a Italian Cardiologist, at this point we were quite tired, but help was at hand if the heart needed it. ! We had a fabulous time looking at the views from Ravello, and could see our hotel below. The next day we walked to Amalfi, the scenery was fantastic, in my view there is no where like this coast in the world. We did decide to take the boat back to Minori which was nice trip. Another day we went over the hill to Maiori passing locals going shopping, all taking the trouble to say morning or afternoon. May is I think and ideal time to go if you want to explore, as the weather is warm, allowing you to enjoy walks and sightseeing, and the pace of life is normal, before the mad summer visitors and the heat. I would jet off tomorrow if I could, but I will just have to wait to return to wonderfull Amalfi Coast another time!!!!

lottiep - 15/04/2008 21:33

I'm pleased to have found more Tuscany fans out there! Val D'Orcia sounds pretty special. I'd love any more recommendations of people's favourite parts of the region in case you've been anywhere amazing that I have yet to explore!

Naughtynakeys - 18/04/2008 15:01

I love Rome - the peace and serenity of the Panthium was an amazing contrast to the bustle of the city. And stumbling across incredible artifacts in the middle of the modern city made it a magical escape for a long weekend.

tiramisu - 18/04/2008 17:20

I just love Umbria - we own a house in a wonderful hilltop town near Assisi. We have been made most welcome by all the locals - meals, drinks and help. I can recommend living in the centro storico - you have all the facilities and the wonderful locals. If anyone wants to know a great B&B agritourism - let me know. They were so fantastic they even helped us with our renovations. We still meet up everytime we can and their son has been to stay with us in the UK to practise his English.

SallyinSardinia - 21/04/2008 11:14

Obviously, I'm a little biased as I live here, but what does everybody else think of Sardinia? I love it as in my opinion you get the best of all worlds, you have amazing white sandy beaches, dramatic coastline, mountains, good food and wine. During August, everywhere has been booked up by the Italians from the mainland who come here for their annual holiday so its busy but with almost a carnival atmosphere. We have Alghero, a catalan city with its narrow winding streets dating back to the 13th century, Historic Castelsardo with its castle perched high up overlooking the sea and Cagliari, more cosmopolitan and sophisticated. Up on the north/ east coast there is the famous Costa Smeralda, but you can also find beautiful beaches in the Golfo di Orosei part of the national park.

Saying all of the above, I can't think of anywhere that I don't like on the mainland of Italy, my favourite City still is Venice, and Tuscany is stunningly beautiful. Difficult decisions for any holiday makers.