We've scheduled a flight into Milan for 2 weeks in mid July and are trying to decide best location for our stay. Current options are between the Bordighere and Puglia areas. Our group of 6 includes 2 seniors, my wife & I and our twin 14 year old sons. We love swimming (beach and pool), great Italian food and taking day trips in our rental car. We like hiking and visiting outdoor historic sites but are less excited about museums and churches.
Can anyone with experience in these areas please share their recommendations?
Posted by
Gettysburg PA
6047 posts
Since Puglia would mean a whole lot more travel-time and expense-from Milan I think Bordighera is the logical choice
Posted by
Boston
1698 posts
Why Bordighera? It's at the far end of Liguria - it will be harder to reach and limits your stated goals needlessly. I suggest lots of reading about Italy and investigating many other choices before deciding.
Posted by
3122 posts
Since you mentioned swimming and beaches, be aware that mid-July is a time when many Italians and many, many people from more northerly parts of Europe take their vacations at Italian seaside towns. If you want to reserve a place to stay near a beach, now is the time to book.
Posted by
Gettysburg PA
6047 posts
It appears as if the OP has already decided?
Posted by
OP
Pacific Northwest USA
44 posts
"It appears as if the OP has already decided?"
We were leaning heavily towards the Bordighere area but the helpful responses posters have offered is making us reconsider. As mentioned earlier, we like nice, swimmable beaches, great Italian food, day trips to surrounding villages and outdoor activities such as hiking. Not super interested in museums and churches. Definitely like weekly produce markets. From our limited knowledge we've focused on the areas previously mentioned- Puglia and Bordighere.
Thanks
Posted by
lexington, il
4105 posts
Is it your intention to spend a week in each area? Have you already purchased your flights?
This may help you to decide if this is an area you want to add.
https://www.neverendingvoyage.com/8-towns-not-to-miss-in-puglia/
Posted by
Washington DC
27110 posts
I like Puglia a lot. The closest I've been to Bordighera is Menton, across the border in France. I'm researching for my own trip to Italy right now and haven't found that part of Liguria all that intriguing. However, for a mid-July trip I cannot bring myself to recommend Puglia. It is very, very likely to be terribly hot.
Posted by
Western Canada
3110 posts
Wherever you stay, be sure to confirm that they have working efficient Air conditioning in every room.
It's going to be hot!
Posted by
lexington, il
4105 posts
Just a thought, and I totally agree with acraven, have you considered Lake Garda and the Dolomites? It checks all your boxes for water sports and hiking. It’s also closer to Milan.
I’ve spent time in Menton, Ventimeglia, and Sanremo in May. Puglia in September and October.
Posted by
OP
Pacific Northwest USA
44 posts
All of the input provided is super helpful- thanks!
Our concern with staying near a lake with the intention of swimming is that it would be nice clear water suitable for swimming. We visited Lake Trasimeno in August 2021 with the intention of swimming and were very disappointed. The water was murky, with dead fish floating on the surface and definitely not inviting. Reading the reviews before arriving it was presented as incredible. Being from the Pacific Northwest U.S. our standards are pretty high.
Posted by
Portland
3595 posts
If you decide on Bordighera, you should be aware that there are some very nice towns to explore very close by. One is Dolceaqua with an interesting medieval section and some good restaurants. A bit further up the mountain is Apricale. As I recall, it had lots of murals on the outsides of buildings, so fun to wander about just viewing them. I wouldn’t be surprised if in the vicinity there were opportunities for hikes.