North Italy - holiday then holiday home...

[dubbs]

Want to go and explore North Italy with the intention of finding an area we love enough to eventually buy a home out there.

A decent village with bars and restaurants nearby and trying to get midway enough that skiing in the winter and beaches in the summer wouldn't be too tough.

Anyone got any thoughts? So far I've been thinking somewhere near Turin, Asti or possibly heading further up towards Ossola or Lago d'Orta

Would be nice to find somewhere we can go to a few times, see if we like calling it home then buy somewhere - it'd then become the family bolthole (well.. take advantage of remote working why not!!)

[HCMH]

Have a look at Asolo and the surrounding area, easy to get to from either Venice Treviso or Venice Marco Polo (30 - 50 mins). Stunning part of Italy that ticks a lot of your boxes....I moved there 8 years ago and bought a house in the surrounding hills. Day trips to the mountains for skiing is easy, as is the beach but I'm more into the lakes. Loads of fantastic restaurants, not touristy, great value, excellent wines...it is one of the nicest parts of Italy I have been to and a lot of Italians have moved here as they fall in love with the place.

Buying a house is not so easy but I'd be happy to help out if you have any questions.

[dubbs]

HCMH said:

Have a look at Asolo and the surrounding area, easy to get to from either Venice Treviso or Venice Marco Polo (30 - 50 mins). Stunning part of Italy that ticks a lot of your boxes....I moved there 8 years ago and bought a house in the surrounding hills. Day trips to the mountains for skiing is easy, as is the beach but I'm more into the lakes. Loads of fantastic restaurants, not touristy, great value, excellent wines...it is one of the nicest parts of Italy I have been to and a lot of Italians have moved here as they fall in love with the place.

Buying a house is not so easy but I'd be happy to help out if you have any questions.

Thanks for that - will check it out

[Minel]

depends which sea you want to get to... for the mar Tirreno you need to explore the area you mention (bearing in mind the motorways to get through to Genova and the south of France are a bit of a PITA as they cross the Appennino) otherwise if the mar Adriatico is where you want to get to then Veneto, friuli are areas close ish to both alps and sea...

[dubbs]

Do you have any photos of the area? As long as the coastline is interesting then not too worried which sea.

How long to drive over there? I'd assumed Piedmonte would be easier.

Thanks for advice, really appreciate it.

[dubbs]

Do you have any photos of the area? As long as the coastline is interesting then not too worried which sea.

How long to drive over there? I'd assumed Piedmonte would be easier.

Thanks for advice, really appreciate it.

[Minel]

the coastline around Genova which would be the closest sea from Piemonte is more cliffs and rocks, with very little sandy beaches, whereas the adriatic sea coastline is more sandy beaches.

We live close to Pavia and Piacenza, we've been to Portofino as a day out and it was indeed gorgeous, but again we aren't keen on sandy beach holidays... (we're going to the alps for 2 weeks in 9 days' time, not that I'm counting or anything )

It all depends on what you're looking for, for example the hills around Pavia and Piacenza are really nice, great wine region, fantastic views and you can find really cheap properties (ish) currently...


Email me if you want more info, you can always give me a ring for a chat

Edited by Minel on Thursday 9th June 08:03

[dubbs]

My brother in law (from Sorrento) is recommending sort of similarly Saying between Venice and Trieste would be good.

I'd be looking more inland but sounds as though that's the best place to start looking so I'll try and find a town North/North East of Venice to book up late September for a recce... (won't stay in Venice as better to get "out there" and enjoy the area)

[davepoth]

I wouldn't discount the south. Of all the towns I've been to in Italy, this was by far and away the best. It gets A LOT of snow too.

http://www.capracotta.com/

Asolo is lovely though.

[dubbs]

Looks lovely although for ease of driving and general logistics North would work better for me

[robsti]

Tuscany is a fantastic region and has beaches and skiing and is fantastic for cycling!