Fortnight in Italy

[mats01_99]

The wife and myself were thinking of Italy for our hols this year, probably late May. We prefer to go self catering than stop in Hotels which most of the mainstream brochures seem to be offering. We are torn between Lake Garda and travelling around the North or Sorrento and Travelling around the central areas. Can anybody give us any advice on the matter please?!!

[Beth1989]

i went to a place near lake garda in '03 and it was amazing. you simply have to make a stop in venice though. italy is well worth the visit and i would jump at the chance of going again! hope you have a good time!

[MargeB]

Dolomiti always awesome, up by Milan. Inland Italy esp. central belt is hotter than a hot cross bun wrapped in a hot blanket in a hot stove, during summer (May thru Sept). And that means Roma. You'll boil.

[cockneyexile]

both places are wonderfull however at garda without renting a car you are stuck for being able to travel where as in sorrento public transport is excellent and inexpensive visit naples the isles of ischia and capri the ancient site of pompei and rome is only ten euros by train also prices are lower in the south than the north and the climate is better also more chance of self catering accomodation.

[dosset]

what can one say ,best place in the world to visit

[Glossopswift]

We honeymooned at Lake Garda and look forward to going back, it is a beautiful place. The boatbus is very efficient and we spent most of our time darting across the lake to visit the other towns - your own transport is (as cockneyexile says) necessary for wandering further away from the lake. We went on a package deal and had an excursion to see the opera at Verona which was an unforgettable experience. I'm sure this is easy enough to do without the tour operator - I remember seeing plenty of places around Garda that advertised similar trips (including Venice).

[landie]

To follow up on Glossopswift's answer, the Opera is staged in the Verona's equivalent of the Roman Colliseum.

[Glossopswift]

Cheers landie, I should have mentioned that. Imagine around 22,000 people in a roman ampitheatre, beneath the stars, and yet you can hear every note.

[lara_maesteg]

We spent a few days in Sorrento in Nov '03 and had a fantastic time.  Public transport on the Circumvesuviana train will easily take you between Naples & Sorrento, including Herculaneum and the must-see site of Pompeii.  And of course you have the regular boat service across to Capri (for one of the most interesting bus rides ever, take the public bus from from the harbour in Capri up to one of the towns rather than the funicular - you'll be amazed at how the drivers can get through gaps that aren't quite wide enough for the bus!)

If you prefer self catering to hotels, we stayed in a great place just off the main shopping street http://www.villadelsole.com/.  we opted for B&B but it has a fully equipped kitchen and is ideally situated.