Where to go for our August summer holiday?
Discussion
I've copied and pasted most of the below from my reply in the Canary Islands thread, I hope that is OK, but I'd like to get a broader range of ideas as well. It's time to try and get our summer holiday booked, and after some suggestions. Our preferences are below:
mike80 said:
We generally prefer self catering somewhere quiet with easy parking. No high rise or AI hotels! She has found an apartment that appears to fit this criteria. We like to stay in a quiet area, but within walking distance to restaurants etc. in the evening. Happy with somewhere reasonably "lively" in the evenings!
For reference, for anyone that has been to both, we went to Carvoeiro in the Algarve last year, and that was pretty perfect. Spacious, quiet apartment, and plenty of restaurants in the evening, plus live music in the town centre most evenings.
The other thing we like is things like long coast and hill walks (me more than them to be fair...), and visiting other towns and sights. Oh, and I like cycling...
Other places we've been in the last few years have been Nerja in Spain, Cala Galdana in Menorca and Puerto Pollensa in Mallorca, all of which we've enjoyed. So, any suggestions would be gratefully considered!For reference, for anyone that has been to both, we went to Carvoeiro in the Algarve last year, and that was pretty perfect. Spacious, quiet apartment, and plenty of restaurants in the evening, plus live music in the town centre most evenings.
The other thing we like is things like long coast and hill walks (me more than them to be fair...), and visiting other towns and sights. Oh, and I like cycling...
RammyMP said:
The wife s getting at me to get a holiday booked for next August, I ve suggested the Algarve, we ve not been for a few years but it s now very expensive. We went to Spain last year and it was very busy.
Italy sounds like a good option though!
You won’t regret Italy - I promise. Italy sounds like a good option though!
RammyMP said:
The wife s getting at me to get a holiday booked for next August, I ve suggested the Algarve, we ve not been for a few years but it s now very expensive. We went to Spain last year and it was very busy.
Italy sounds like a good option though!
The Algarve isn’t expensive. Portugal is good VFM if you stay away from the golf courses etc. Italy sounds like a good option though!
craig1912 said:
RammyMP said:
The wife s getting at me to get a holiday booked for next August, I ve suggested the Algarve, we ve not been for a few years but it s now very expensive. We went to Spain last year and it was very busy.
Italy sounds like a good option though!
The Algarve isn t expensive. Portugal is good VFM if you stay away from the golf courses etc. Italy sounds like a good option though!
We go for similar holidays.
Recent experiences:-
- Algarve (Tavira / Cabanas east of the 'airport point', not the main part) - not as cheap as we expected, but very hospitable and easy to get around. Lovely beaches, lovely people, s
t airport for departures. Would go back if not for the attitude of Faro passport control nearly causing us to miss our flight despite arriving >2hrs30 before it left.
- Malaga area / Mijas - naff shingly/muddy beaches, bit too developed, but good overall spot otherwise. Might go back but only if to a hotel with a good pool complex or with a waterpark nearby. Or as adults-only.
- Crete (Rethymno) - old town was £££ but tons of restaurants, nice vibe, lots to see and do (albeit travel times longer than you think), but beaches only so-so. Would go back but pick a different part of the island for variety.
- P-Pollensa - most expensive of the lot, but the best beach, the best water, and (marginally) the nicest vibe. Done it 3x, not hurrying back due to island's issues with tourists.
- Playa Blanca, Lanzarote - cheapest of the lot, surprisingly decent beaches away from the resort centre, but Atlantic not Med water and some parts definitely have a lower-class vibe to them now. Was our default when money was tighter, still better than you'd expect the Canaries to be.
Leftfield option - Barbados at Easter or May Half Term. 10 nights there, flying Virgin Economy Delight (better legroom), staying AirBnB/similar in good areas, was (2023 and 2025) similar money to 14 nights package deal in Majorca/Menorca SC/B&B hotels in August, after factoring in spending money / car hire.
Recent experiences:-
- Algarve (Tavira / Cabanas east of the 'airport point', not the main part) - not as cheap as we expected, but very hospitable and easy to get around. Lovely beaches, lovely people, s
t airport for departures. Would go back if not for the attitude of Faro passport control nearly causing us to miss our flight despite arriving >2hrs30 before it left.- Malaga area / Mijas - naff shingly/muddy beaches, bit too developed, but good overall spot otherwise. Might go back but only if to a hotel with a good pool complex or with a waterpark nearby. Or as adults-only.
- Crete (Rethymno) - old town was £££ but tons of restaurants, nice vibe, lots to see and do (albeit travel times longer than you think), but beaches only so-so. Would go back but pick a different part of the island for variety.
- P-Pollensa - most expensive of the lot, but the best beach, the best water, and (marginally) the nicest vibe. Done it 3x, not hurrying back due to island's issues with tourists.
- Playa Blanca, Lanzarote - cheapest of the lot, surprisingly decent beaches away from the resort centre, but Atlantic not Med water and some parts definitely have a lower-class vibe to them now. Was our default when money was tighter, still better than you'd expect the Canaries to be.
Leftfield option - Barbados at Easter or May Half Term. 10 nights there, flying Virgin Economy Delight (better legroom), staying AirBnB/similar in good areas, was (2023 and 2025) similar money to 14 nights package deal in Majorca/Menorca SC/B&B hotels in August, after factoring in spending money / car hire.
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