Recommend me a holiday destination for September
Discussion
Looking for some ideas. I'm late 30's, girlfriend is mid 40's and we're looking for somewhere quiet and relaxing, but not in the middle of nowhere.
To give you an idea, we went to Rhodes in June and loved it. Stayed in a hotel where they don't allow kids and it was bliss! Rhodes seemed to offer a really good mix of things to see and do, without being totally ruined by the tourist industry (still lots of local charm, etc).
Gran Canaria was also quite nice (esp around Anfi del Mar)
I like to get off the beaten track, so like to hire a car and go exploring... love going up in the mountains/hills if that's an option.
Went to Turkey (between Marmaris and Icmeler) a couple of years ago and hated it... full of chavs and bars serving English food, etc. Very tacky and totally ruined by tourism. Wouldn't mind visiting Turkey again, as I'm sure the country must have more to offer, but would need to be somewhere that is the polar opposite of Marmaris/Icmeler.
Hotel is important to us, so would prefer to stay in a larger 5* (by package holiday standards) place. Would also prefer a package holiday through the likes of Thomson for ease of booking, price, etc.
I'm considering the Algarve (never been), somewhere else in Turkey, or Canary Islands (pref. not Gran Canaria as we've already been there).
Any other suggestions that tick the above boxes?
To give you an idea, we went to Rhodes in June and loved it. Stayed in a hotel where they don't allow kids and it was bliss! Rhodes seemed to offer a really good mix of things to see and do, without being totally ruined by the tourist industry (still lots of local charm, etc).
Gran Canaria was also quite nice (esp around Anfi del Mar)
I like to get off the beaten track, so like to hire a car and go exploring... love going up in the mountains/hills if that's an option.
Went to Turkey (between Marmaris and Icmeler) a couple of years ago and hated it... full of chavs and bars serving English food, etc. Very tacky and totally ruined by tourism. Wouldn't mind visiting Turkey again, as I'm sure the country must have more to offer, but would need to be somewhere that is the polar opposite of Marmaris/Icmeler.
Hotel is important to us, so would prefer to stay in a larger 5* (by package holiday standards) place. Would also prefer a package holiday through the likes of Thomson for ease of booking, price, etc.
I'm considering the Algarve (never been), somewhere else in Turkey, or Canary Islands (pref. not Gran Canaria as we've already been there).
Any other suggestions that tick the above boxes?
Edited by ian_uk1975 on Friday 26th July 12:35
Lanzarote is largely unspoilt but the volcano trip is by coach only, Jameos de L'Agua gardens are worth a visit as is El Golfo black beach.
The southern part is quieter rather than Puerto del Carmen.
Tenerife has the fantastic national park in the middle which is well worth driving through and I think there is a cable car up the mountain (seasonal). It also has Loro Parque zoo with the killer whales. Some nice old cars seen driving round the island too - R8 Gordini, 70s Toyota Carina, Simca 1000, Clio williams etc. Nice cafe near the mountain where you can see wild canaries feeding (wild, they were furious..).
Fuerteventura is far less developed and worth driving round but ultimately, less interesting because much of the scnery is the same. You can drive along the northern unmade road/track. When I went I saw a apir of birds that looked like roadrunners and I recently found out they were exceptionally rare Turkey bustards and my bird-spotting mate was gutted.
I would recommend Peniscola on the Costa del Azahar in Spain (we drive down from Barcelona) which has a town within a castle on a promontory for culture and is a very pleasant and not over-developed resort. Usually stay at the Nerea complex. Head inland and go to Morella, another town within a castle topped by a castle that gives 360 degree vista views for miles and miles and which is epic.
For variety, I can't not recommend Mallorca with so much to see and do from safari parks to the Soller railway (from Palma), picturesque Valdemossa, Torrents de Parais, an old hermitage on a mountain, it really is massively under-rated in terms of so much to do and the interior has some lovely little villages.
Andalucia is also great. We have stayed in Roquetas de Mar and driven up to Granada to see the Alhambra palace and up to the top of the Sierra Nevada mountain (as featured on recent Top Gear) to the ski resort (often used for testing car prototypes) and if you drive through the mountain range, there are breathtaking views over the Granada plain. My You Tube account of same name has a video of the roads.
The southern part is quieter rather than Puerto del Carmen.
Tenerife has the fantastic national park in the middle which is well worth driving through and I think there is a cable car up the mountain (seasonal). It also has Loro Parque zoo with the killer whales. Some nice old cars seen driving round the island too - R8 Gordini, 70s Toyota Carina, Simca 1000, Clio williams etc. Nice cafe near the mountain where you can see wild canaries feeding (wild, they were furious..).
Fuerteventura is far less developed and worth driving round but ultimately, less interesting because much of the scnery is the same. You can drive along the northern unmade road/track. When I went I saw a apir of birds that looked like roadrunners and I recently found out they were exceptionally rare Turkey bustards and my bird-spotting mate was gutted.
I would recommend Peniscola on the Costa del Azahar in Spain (we drive down from Barcelona) which has a town within a castle on a promontory for culture and is a very pleasant and not over-developed resort. Usually stay at the Nerea complex. Head inland and go to Morella, another town within a castle topped by a castle that gives 360 degree vista views for miles and miles and which is epic.
For variety, I can't not recommend Mallorca with so much to see and do from safari parks to the Soller railway (from Palma), picturesque Valdemossa, Torrents de Parais, an old hermitage on a mountain, it really is massively under-rated in terms of so much to do and the interior has some lovely little villages.
Andalucia is also great. We have stayed in Roquetas de Mar and driven up to Granada to see the Alhambra palace and up to the top of the Sierra Nevada mountain (as featured on recent Top Gear) to the ski resort (often used for testing car prototypes) and if you drive through the mountain range, there are breathtaking views over the Granada plain. My You Tube account of same name has a video of the roads.
Edited by LuS1fer on Friday 26th July 16:30
We didn't find a lot in Lanzerote after we had done the few major attractions.
We enjoyed Rhodes last year and Crete the year before.
We had a delightful fortnight exploring the area around Vejer in Spain and were most impressed by:
http://www.lacasadelcalifa.com/
Turkey still has much to offer, did you go as far as Cappadocia?
Fascinating.
We can also recommend the Peloponnese.
We stayed in Stupa and found lots to see and do around and about.
Corsica has some lovely mountains and scenery.
Sardinia is also worth a look.
We always holiday in September and seem to share your requirements.
Good luck.
We enjoyed Rhodes last year and Crete the year before.
We had a delightful fortnight exploring the area around Vejer in Spain and were most impressed by:
http://www.lacasadelcalifa.com/
Turkey still has much to offer, did you go as far as Cappadocia?
Fascinating.
We can also recommend the Peloponnese.
We stayed in Stupa and found lots to see and do around and about.
Corsica has some lovely mountains and scenery.
Sardinia is also worth a look.
We always holiday in September and seem to share your requirements.
Good luck.
Edited by Oi U on Friday 26th July 14:13
Tenerife is great for mountains (especially in the north west corner) and the volcanic landscape.
But then I found Fuerteventura had a more relaxed feel, even though you could classify the main tourist town as a bit tacky (I found it pleasant though).
Algarve is great for the beaches and the coastline.
Some of the towns are very relaxed and characterful, yet I found it most spoilt by over-development and tourists related to the Pollard family.
But then I found Fuerteventura had a more relaxed feel, even though you could classify the main tourist town as a bit tacky (I found it pleasant though).
Algarve is great for the beaches and the coastline.
Some of the towns are very relaxed and characterful, yet I found it most spoilt by over-development and tourists related to the Pollard family.
How about Kos?
My girlfriend and I are recently back from our thrid holiday to the same resort in 12 months. We stay in Psaldi (Kipriotis Maris complex) for <£500pp all in. Being 5k or so away from the town it's quiet and relaxed, yet only a 10 minute cycle in should you wish to explore the old castle, marina or have a meal.
It is also a good island to explore, each time we have been we have hired either a moped or quad and gone exploring:
Therma - natural hot spring in the sea making a mini Jacuzzi (went during a full moon at 3am and it was amazing)
Bubble Beach/Paradise Beach - curtain of bubbles about 40 yards off the sandy beach
Near Keflos - Small island with church a 80m swim from the sandy beach to explore
3 island tour - 3 differant islands to expore plus lunch and snorkelling
Food for thought anyway
My girlfriend and I are recently back from our thrid holiday to the same resort in 12 months. We stay in Psaldi (Kipriotis Maris complex) for <£500pp all in. Being 5k or so away from the town it's quiet and relaxed, yet only a 10 minute cycle in should you wish to explore the old castle, marina or have a meal.
It is also a good island to explore, each time we have been we have hired either a moped or quad and gone exploring:
Therma - natural hot spring in the sea making a mini Jacuzzi (went during a full moon at 3am and it was amazing)
Bubble Beach/Paradise Beach - curtain of bubbles about 40 yards off the sandy beach
Near Keflos - Small island with church a 80m swim from the sandy beach to explore
3 island tour - 3 differant islands to expore plus lunch and snorkelling
Food for thought anyway
Rosscow said:
What about Madeira?
billzeebub said:
Madeira
Agreed... Stayed just outside Funchal a few years back and it seemed to have everything the OP is looking for... All the other tourists were ancient, but I was in my early 30s at the time and thought it was a fab place - the hotel we stayed in even had a car museum with some awesome metal/ composite material on display!How about a long haul?
Cuba is very interesting & not just a beach place. It's bigger than the UK so you wont see much of it but it has a lot of history.
Alternatively, Goa ticks a lot of your boxes. Again, it's pretty big but there is a lot to see & do. I wouldn't like to drive myself over there, but we had a car & driver for £20 a day (plus his lunch & a beer when we got back!). I've been very early October & the weather was excellent. Not too hot (about 80' in old money) and rained a few times at night (impressive lightning storms).
Cuba is very interesting & not just a beach place. It's bigger than the UK so you wont see much of it but it has a lot of history.
Alternatively, Goa ticks a lot of your boxes. Again, it's pretty big but there is a lot to see & do. I wouldn't like to drive myself over there, but we had a car & driver for £20 a day (plus his lunch & a beer when we got back!). I've been very early October & the weather was excellent. Not too hot (about 80' in old money) and rained a few times at night (impressive lightning storms).
Zakynthos, here: http://www.mabely.com/
Grown up, well away from the "lager" end of the island, relaxing, 2 and a bit hours flight and a 35 minute transfer, nice food and drink in good variety, all inclusive if you want (and you probably should as it stands on its own) but doesn't feel like it. Car for a day or several to potter around a bit, not a huge island, but enough to entertain.
Grown up, well away from the "lager" end of the island, relaxing, 2 and a bit hours flight and a 35 minute transfer, nice food and drink in good variety, all inclusive if you want (and you probably should as it stands on its own) but doesn't feel like it. Car for a day or several to potter around a bit, not a huge island, but enough to entertain.
http://www.thomson.co.uk/destinations/africa/cape-...
Coupled with
Gigglinggeckoadventures.com
Job done.
Just got back from a week in the adults only section, a few tours with GG. Wonderful week.
Coupled with
Gigglinggeckoadventures.com
Job done.
Just got back from a week in the adults only section, a few tours with GG. Wonderful week.
Was recently sent this by Michelin showing a video of a town in Corsica where we enjoyed a very pleasant fortnight a few years ago:
http://travel.michelin.com/web/destination/France-...
http://travel.michelin.com/web/destination/France-...
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