If you are considering a family holiday to Italy, it doesn't mean big price tags. If you plan your trip well with the help of tour operators who really know the country inside out and who specialize in exactly what you are looking for, you will have a fabulous value for money family holiday in marvelous Italy. And we all know Italy IS marvelous.
To wet your appetite, we have some tips that have been provided by ABTOI members, all UK operators organizing holidays to Italy, many you will know.
Its just common sense to consider areas where tourists do not flock but undoubtedly its difficult for you to know exactly where these areas might be, after all, the papers and magazines are full of Rome, Venice, Amalfi and Tuscany. As glorious as they all are, other areas that don't get a look in possibly because of regional tourist budgets, are often as comparative and just as gorgeous.
Many ABTOI members suggest heading for the south and not north. Take tours of Etruscan villages instead of the Tuscan hill towns. Go to Sicily and stay on the West instead of East coast, take a trip to the beaches of Puglia instead of Sardinia. Have fun mingling with all the locals on Ponza instead of trying to rub elbows with the rich in Capri.
Some ABTOI members suggest heading for the upper northern regions of Italy, regions that only Italians know to take their holidays in. The greatest advantage is that you are guaranteed not to
hear another British accent. Immersing yourself in the Italian way of life is a wonderful experience for your children.
ABTOI members suggest self catering and the more members of your family and perhaps friends you can bring along on holiday, the cheaper it gets! Italy is famous for their 10 bedroomed palazzo, so you can live like a king for about £200 per week. And how very Italian to go away with the complete family, we mean uncles, aunts, grandmas and cousins.
Probably the greatest invention on the tourism circuit is the wonderful Agriturismo. What a brilliant idea they are. Farms have converted some of their land and buildings into accommodation for tourists. These can range from rustic bed and breakfast to gorgeous villas and self catering apartments normally starting from Euro 40 per person per night. They usually have huge swimming pools and a restaurant in case you get fed up with cooking the pasta and pesto.
ABTOI members suggest concentrating on one particular area to become familiar with. You will reduce your transportation costs and this will let you increase your options on where to stay. This way you can use your self catering villa as a base to explore the region.
The beauty of self catering is not having to sit in a restaurant umpteen times a day and all week feeling like you are being ripped off. There is something smug and satisfying about strolling to the nearest local deli to buy your fresh bread, pastries, olives and local vino.
It's a good idea to find out from locals where they prefer to eat at. You are more than likely going to be directed to a far better place to eat at a lot lower cost than if you tried to find a place on your own. Stay away from places called ristorantis and try and go with the Osterias and trattorias. You will definitely see a drop in the cost of eating out.
And another bit of advice, never tip, the Italians never do!
To find an expert Uk holiday operator to help you plan your fantastic family holdiay to Italy:
http://www.loveitaly.co.uk/contact.asp
Villa holiday specialist Villas Worldwide reports increased demand and interest for villa holidays in Sicily this year as well as Italy as a whole. With 2011 bookings for Italy up by over 100% compared to the same time last year Italy is proving one of the major success stories.
