France and Italy holiday three-week itinerary: Tips on where to go

MY HUSBAND AND I, DAUGHTER AND SON-IN-LAW AND POSSIBLY SON AND GIRLFRIEND ARE PLANNING A HOLIDAY IN FRANCE AND ITALY IN MAY 2016. WE HAVE THREE WEEKS TOGETHER, THEN MAYBE FOUR DAYS WITH MY HUSBAND IN SWITZERLAND. ANY PARTICULAR AREAS OR CITIES YOU WOULD RECOMMEND? WE ARE THINKING OF RENTING AN APARTMENT AT EACH DESTINATION. WE ENJOY GOOD FOOD, SHOPPING AND HISTORY. WHAT WEATHER SHOULD WE EXPECT? V. COBB, ARMIDALE.

The possibilities are so enormous I'm at a loss to know where to begin, but I'm assuming you're driving, and therefore all options are on the table. In May I'd be heading for the south of France and into northern Italy. Start in Avignon then move slowly through Provence, with stays at St Remy-de-Provence, Cassis, across the Italian border and north of Milan to Como followed by Verona and Venice, then north to Cortina d'Ampezzo to stay in the mountainous Dolomites region. From there drive west to cross the Swiss border, stop at Lucerne to sigh and finally Interlaken in Switzerland, which is where I'd be spending those four days. This gives you access to the Grindewald region, some of the most sensational alpine scenery in all of Europe. Pack your walking shoes and get ready to yodel. This is an absolutely crackerjack itinerary.

Staying three nights in each of the places with room for a fourth in St Remy and Venice would fill up your three weeks. Apartments are a great way to go, especially if there are six of you. Some will require a one-week stay but you should find others that do not, especially in May. The source I'd be using for this is Sawdays (sawdays.co.uk). Second choice would be Air BnB (airbnb.com.au).

Weather will vary quite a bit. Along the coast of France it should be warm enough for T-shirts, in Venice you'll likely need something warmer and possibly windproof and in the Dolomites expect snow on the peaks.