I didn't want to start a thread just about a single destination as I thought other people might also appreciate people's experiences of different places that they have thought/are thinkiing of visiting.

We've been looking at Tuscany, but I've heard and read that people suffered from various insect bites, have any SB's been, what was it like......

Anyone been to
Lake Como or Garda
or
San Francisco

I'm looking a for four day Christmas break starting on Christmas Eve. Want self catering and must allow pets. Anyone got any recommendations?

Garda-no, SF- yes, exactly the same as Widnes. will have more fun camping in West Wales.

Rock God X wrote:I'm looking a for four day Christmas break starting on Christmas Eve. Want self catering and must allow pets. Anyone got any recommendations? Just come back from a week in Northumberland using these people http://www.gracedarlingholidays.com/ most of their rentals allow at least one dog, don't tell anyone but the Northumberland coast is one of the last truly untouched coastlines in the country, stunning for dog walking. I'd highly recommend the company, we used Spindlestone House for a party of ten, would love to be there over xmas (and might just do that too).

Rock God X wrote:I'm looking a for four day Christmas break starting on Christmas Eve. Want self catering and must allow pets. Anyone got any recommendations? Just come back from a week in Northumberland using these people http://www.gracedarlingholidays.com/ most of their rentals allow at least one dog, don't tell anyone but the Northumberland coast is one of the last truly untouched coastlines in the country, stunning for dog walking. I'd highly recommend the company, we used Spindlestone House for a party of ten, would love to be there over xmas (and might just do that too).

A fantastic place! You'll like the weather, it's just like it is here.

Very laid back and the most European like city in the US.


I've just returned from wreck diving the SS Thistlegorm in the Red Sea. Next year I plan to dive Truk Lagoon, my ultimate dream dive.

Tuscany is nice. Not stayed out in the countryside and didn't have any insect problem (although can't recall what time of year we went).

Went to Como when I was about 8 years old. I vaguely remember there was a lot of water and we had ice cream.

Seriously though, you only need to google some images to see how beautiful it is.

McLaren_Field wrote: Rock God X wrote:I'm looking a for four day Christmas break starting on Christmas Eve. Want self catering and must allow pets. Anyone got any recommendations? Just come back from a week in Northumberland using these people http://www.gracedarlingholidays.com/ most of their rentals allow at least one dog, don't tell anyone but the Northumberland coast is one of the last truly untouched coastlines in the country, stunning for dog walking. I'd highly recommend the company, we used Spindlestone House for a party of ten, would love to be there over xmas (and might just do that too). Cheers. I'll check them out.

McLaren_Field wrote: Rock God X wrote:I'm looking a for four day Christmas break starting on Christmas Eve. Want self catering and must allow pets. Anyone got any recommendations? Just come back from a week in Northumberland using these people http://www.gracedarlingholidays.com/ most of their rentals allow at least one dog, don't tell anyone but the Northumberland coast is one of the last truly untouched coastlines in the country, stunning for dog walking. I'd highly recommend the company, we used Spindlestone House for a party of ten, would love to be there over xmas (and might just do that too). Cheers. I'll check them out.

Been to Tuscany quite few times, stayed in Florence and the countryside, back of beyond and little villages.

My other half is incredibly allergic to insect bites but as long as you're careful it's not too bad. We have ludicrously strong repellent, candles and joss stick things impregnated with citronella. If the worst does happen then pharmacies carry industrial strength antihistamine creams that can be bought over the counter.

My favourite place is Panzano In Chianti, we're just about to book an apartment that's part of a castle, we'll hire a car from Pisa airport. Driving isn't a problem if you're reasonably proficient.

Pretty much every town or village has excellent places to eat from Michelin starred to little enotecas. There's a fantastic wine shop in Greve which if you're in the area I can't recommend highly enough, you get a credit card that you load with Euros and then you pop that in a dispenser that gives you wine by the glass, so you can try before you buy.

If you speak even the worst Italian and show an interest, the Italians will love you and go out of the way to befriend you, I've drunk fantastic wines with enoteca owners and their friends after just a couple of visits to their shop.