SunLodge at Camping Village Mare Pineta

Head straight to the seaside for days at the beach, watersports including windsurfing, sailing and kayaking or diving courses at the scuba centre 10 minutes’ walk away. There are also some lovely coastal walks to be had from the site: walk past the harbour to more lovely beaches, or aim west for clifftop castles around Duino. The coastline is stunning around here, but there are intrigues to be had underground too. See some of it for yourself at Cave Towers Slivia (five minutes’ drive) or the huge Grotta Gigante (15 minutes), packed with stalactites and stalagmites. For a city day, take yourselves down to Trieste (25 minutes) to stroll around the piazzas and harbour, visit the Roman Theatre and wander along the sides of the Grand Canal. It’s worth scheduling a stop at Miramare Castle (20 minutes) on your way there or back, too – the intricately decorated 19th-century building has a stunning seafront location with views that are particularly fine at sunset.