European destination for some sun and relaxation

[VEA]

Evening all,

I am looking for somewhere to go for a week on the 1st july. Simply looking for somewhere reasonably nice on a budget.

I've not done a lot of summer holidaying in Europe (apart from the South of France), hence why I'm asking on here.

Hotel or villa, not fussed on that one. Portugal has been suggested to me but I have no experience of it so don't really know where to start.


Any suggestions?

[Munter]

Portugal. The Algarve specifically I would suggest. It's become my favourite place to fk off to at short notice.

However what do you want to do on holiday? Sit by a pool and perv at ladies? Play Golf? Surf?

[Ultuous]

Munter said:

However what do you want to do on holiday? Sit by a pool and perv at ladies? Play Golf? Surf?

This is what I was thinking - need more idea of what 'relaxation' should entail!

[Garym85]

I recommend Cyprus. If you can handle the 4 1/2 hour flight it's a great place. Clean, roasting hot and lots to do- or good to relax in.

Can hire a car a take a nice trip to one of th other cities on the island. They drive on the left too.

[LuS1fer]

If it's avoiding the school holidays then Mallorca which has lots of great beaches and lots to see.
Southern Spain is nice but the beach quality is not as good as oop north. Costa Blanca is too commercial but has nice beaches, Costa Calida is probably a little too quiet. Peniscola on the Costa del Azahar is very nice and some good roads inland.

[VEA]

Munter said:

Portugal. The Algarve specifically I would suggest. It's become my favourite place to fk off to at short notice.

However what do you want to do on holiday? Sit by a pool and perv at ladies? Play Golf? Surf?

Well it's for me and the other half, so beach, pool, the option to hire a car and go and explore would probably be good too.

To be honest I am not too bothered really, as long as it is hot (er than here), there is alcohol available somewhere near by and the food isn't terrible then I will be happy as larry.

Looking on last minute there seem to be plenty of offerings in the Algarve, can you recommend a hotel specifically?

[VEA]

Ultuous said:

This is what I was thinking - need more idea of what 'relaxation' should entail!

Relaxation for us consists of doing as little as possible...! :P

[Ultuous]

I can't fault that!

A few 'relaxing' places I've been to and would recommend for a relaxing time that won't break the bank:

Mallorca - nice beaches, Palma's a lovely city and the Soller Railway's an awesome lazy excursion!

Madiera - beautiful island, nice to potter around on

Turkey - Olu Deniz is a wonderful place to chill out on the beach

Dubrovnik's meant to be great on a budget too - not had the chance to go but it's definitely on my list!

[milk2sugars]

Tuscany?

[Munter]

VEA said:

Looking on last minute there seem to be plenty of offerings in the Algarve, can you recommend a hotel specifically?

We quite liked this one:
http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Hotel_Review-g189112-...

But like you say there are loads of hotels all along the coast there. We just tend to see what's on "offer" as we're cheapskates. But that doesn't always pay off...

If you go to Portugal and rent a car beware the tolls on the main roads. You don't have to stop it simply records your numberplate. You then have to go and pay the tolls at a post office. However you have to wait 2 days between passing the toll point and paying them. So you cannot use the toll roads on the way back to the airport.

[Cheib]

The atlantic coast of France is very nice.....much better beaches than the Med obviously.