Best for villas

A&K Villas
www.abercrombiekent.co.uk
0845 0700 618
A good selection of villas in Tuscany, Umbria, the Bay of Naples and Sardinia. Plus a few upmarket hotels denoted to be family friendly.

Cottages to Castles
www.cottagestocastles.com
01622 775236
Genuine Italian specialist. British company run by Italian father and son team. Good selection of reasonably priced villas across Italy. 3 and 4 star hotels also recommended.

CV Travel
www.cvtravel.co.uk
7401 1039
A wonderful selection of villas, many perfect for two or three families sharing, across Italian mainland (Campania, Lake Maggiore, Lazio, Le Marche, Puglia) Sicily and Sardinia.

Ilios Travel
www.iliostravel.com
0870 060 0607
Small specialist in Italy (and Turkey). Although they have a website, they are resolutely non-web, highlighting the benefits of personal service. Strong on Tuscan villas and farm houses plus Umbria, Lazio, Le Marche and Sardinia.

Invitation to Tuscany
www.invitationtotuscany.com
8742 8552
A family run specialist with properties in Umbria and Liguria as well as Tuscany. From small, romantic cottages to grand old palazzo. Our Italian fashion pictures were shot at a lovely property on their books near Siena.

Simply Travel
www.simplytravel.co.uk
0870 166 4988
Well-priced holiday rentals and hotels in Sicily, Sardinia, Tuscany, Umbria and the Amalfi coast. Now owned by Thomson, there is a slightly irritating mass-market feel about the website.

Best for beach hotels

Expressions Families
www.expressionsholidays.co.uk
020 7422 2665
Luxury family programme that includes nine Sardinian hotels and one in Sicily.

Forte Village Resort
www.fortevillageresort.com
is hard to beat if you are looking for an all singing all dancing ‘resort’ with entertainment and facilities to match. 7 hotels, 21 restaurants, beautiful beach, endless activities for kids. This summer they even have a Chelsea FC Football Academy providing coaching for kids aged 4–16.

Kids in the Med
www.kidsinthemed.com
operate at Forte Village and three other resorts in Sardinia.
A quieter alternative is Napoleon’s Elba.

Powder Byrne
www.powderbyrne.com
020 7246 5300
Have the family-run beachside Hermitage hotel in their summer programme.

Scott Dunn
www.scottdunn.com
020 8682 5000
Three upmarket family hotel options in Sardinia.

Best for outdoor fun

Headwater Holidays
www.headwater.com
01606 720199
Walking and biking specialist. The itineries are graded depending on difficulty. Independent self-guided tours Villas and Vineyards in the Veneto is nice and flat, off the tourist trail, pretty villages, cherry orchards and vineyards. Suitable for an energetic 8+. Inntravel www.inntravel.co.uk Tel 01653 617906 offer a similar programme.

Original Travel
www.originaltravel.co.uk/kids
020 7978 7333
Tailor-made kids’ holidays including Summer in the Italian Dolomites (pictured). Head to a family hotel in the hills for a week-long programme of dedicated kids’ activities.

Responsible Travel
www.responsibletravel.com
01273 600030
Cycling, rafting and river trekking in the Veneto is one of the family adventures on offer.

The Adventure Company
www.adventurecompany.co.uk
0845 450 5316
Take in Naples, Vesuvius, Pompei, Capri and finish up at an agriturismo in the hills above Sorrento.

General Italy Operators

Baby Goes 2
www.babygoes2.com
good villa selection (from a variety of operators).

Long Travel
www.long-travel.co.uk
01694 722193
Specialists in Southern Italy, Sicily and Sardinia.

Real Holidays
www.realholidays.co.uk
7359 3938
Islington-based independent specializing in programmes to Italy and India, including family friendly stays. A strong personal stamp with restored farmhouses, b&bs and hotels a bit off the beaten track.

www.sunvil.co.uk
8758 4722
A selection of hotels and self catering options including some agriturismo properties.