I am moving to Milan in May and I understand that the summers can be quite slow and boring there as many stores and attractions close for most of the summer. I'm looking for recommendations of things to do throughout Italy for 2-4 week periods - I have two children to keep occupied, ie. are there places to rent along the coast or other regions that are more lively in the summer? If so, any recommendations for places to stay - inexpensive ones preferably since my stays may be extended.
quote:Originally posted by sandiedog: I am moving to Milan in May and I understand that the summers can be quite slow and boring there as many stores and attractions close for most of the summer.
You are a bit exxagerating things. Milano stays fully open for most of the summer, and the Big Closure occurs only in the first two weeks of August, when the city actually feels like a ghost town. Yet these are exactly the two weeks when I would not (and usually don't) go on holida, because it is when you can find all the milanese who have left the city in the palces where you went on holiday, so that you actually feel like you are still in Milano. Things to do in summer in Milano? Well, there are several: all the museums are open (and cooler than outside), the parks are crowdless and so is the Idroscalo (an artificial lake)... Well, the Idroscalo ise never crowdless, but it is certainly not as crowded as in July. ^___^ You can also daytrip to several nearby places, such as Bergamo or Pavia.
IUf you really don't want to enjoy Milano at its best, where to go on holiday in Italy as you are already living in italy? More or less in the same places where you would go if you still lived in the USA ^___^ Just beware of the crowds. I mean, there is no specific place where you could rent a house or go to, more or less any place of the many we discuss here can be a suitable place to spend the summer (or part of the summer), wether youare living in Italy or not.
I would suggest the lakes. All of the lakes offer water sports such as sailing and swimming and many great towns along the lakes offer shopping and gelato! You won't be far from Milan in case you want to go back to your own place at the end of the day either.
Another favorite nearby place is Liguria. Genoa is fantastic in the summer (even August)!! You can feel the breeze from the Med and still you can swim, sail or hike along the seaside. The towns along the coastline are very touristic, but sometimes it's unavoidable during the summer months! I'm biased towards Genoa, but IMO the food is incredibly good!
I'm sure you can find some agriturismos, hotels, hostels (only a few in Genoa) and Bed & Breakfasts in Genoa along the sea. There is always the beautiful Cinque Terre too.
If your children like the water, I'd suggest the region of the lakes or Liguria b/c either of those locations isn't too far from Milan, in the event you want to stay close to home.
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