Italian hotels range from patrician villas to purpose-built towers, as well as everything in between. The Italian terms albergo, locanda and pensione are interchangeable translations of “hotel”. There is an official grading system from one to five stars, although this indicates the presence of facilities such as lifts or TVs rather than overall quality and charm. Prices vary between the south and north of the country, as well as between tourist hotspots (cities are more expensive) and less-visited areas. Air conditioning is not always available. Some cheaper hotels in cities may not have lifts.

There are a large number of bed and breakfasts across the country. Rooms in homes, they range from cosy bedrooms with a shared bathroom in a historic city centre palazzo to self-contained apartments.

The agriturismo scheme covers a multitude of rural farmstay options, from a bedroom in a farmhouse to a converted outhouse with kitchen on a working wine estate. They are a wonderful way to relax into Italian rural life and a truly family-friendly experience. Grounds may extend from a garden with a play area to olive groves and mountain pastures, and many have pools. Often the hospitable owners grow and cook delicious food and can organize horse-riding and other activities.

The freedom of self-catering is attractive to families: not only to save on restaurants and have more flexibility, but also to enjoy shopping at local markets and supermarkets, which is fun for all. Converted farmhouses, mansions and villas are available for rent across the region, particularly in rural Umbria and Le Marche, although bargains are hard to find.

A budget alternative is to take advantage of the hundreds of religious properties across Italy that now rent out en-suite rooms. They tend to be quite basic, but very clean, and are sometimes in stunning old monasteries and convents in hard-to-beat locations. A good one-stop shop is the online agency Monastery Stays.

On the whole, camping in Italy is a highly structured experience; while it may offer a cheap and relaxed way to stay in some stunning locations, by the waterside or near historic cities, it is usually far from wilderness camping. On the coast and around the lakes most camp sites are mini-resorts boasting cafés, supermarkets, pools and, more often than not, cabaret entertainment. Apart from the all-in-one convenience, kids’ clubs are an added attraction for some families and there are usually plenty of other children around for company. Language barriers tend to melt away pretty quickly. In the mountainous areas of Italy, camp sites are often much more low key, offering a better chance to enjoy the landscape undisturbed.