We need a break from Spain...

[DevaleraSpawnOfSatan]

We have been fortunate enough to be able to afford a lot of holidays in one particular region of Andalusia, more on than off, since DS was a child.

We are, I think due a change, DS (21) is currently all loved up, we suggested him and gf and Greece, they suggested Crete.🙄

Looks too busy to me, but DH got his remote holiday last year in Spain, hope he enjoyed it, it is never happening again, so his I don't like big islands nonsense pronouncements , are not going to work for me this year. or come to think of it any year going forward, ..............YOU ARE RETIRED, YOU ARE NOT WORKING CITY HOURS ANY MORE WE ALL HAVE AN OPINION. JOG ON.

So we need somewhere with a bit of life for the YP's , without being party central, I also need somewhere to people watch ,and halfway up a mountain in the campo (Spain) his choice last year, is not the answer.

We hated Mykonos, when I was pregnant with DS, felt like a robbing hole with nothing to recommend it.

All recommendations, gratefully received.

Sadly, I am due to be in receipt of a sizeable, to me, inheritance before Christmas so we can possibly be a bit fluid on the budget.

We are normally two, but DH snores like a pig, so we always book three rooms (so sleeping six) one for me, one for him, one for the luggage, Realistically, DS or anyone who cares to join us get the third room. This year the room, saw my darling sis, (much needed after our bereavement) followed by my DS.

Anyhoo, I am rambling......

Suggestions please, all welcome, even if I don't comment immediately.

@RampantIvy yes you’re right. My brain has been crap this week with stress! I completely flipped the island upside down 😂

Another vote for Crete being lovely. We once booked a Club 18-30 holiday to Malia just to make use of the flights and transfers. Yes Malia is as bad as you imagine but a get out of those resorts and it’s delightful - we spent a lovely week hoping around various locations. Rethymno (sp?) was particularly lovely.

We like the Algarve, nice beaches and a bit of nightlife for those who want it.

If you want somewhere celeb-y but with no real Portuguese authenticity, go to Quinta Do Lago. Otherwise, there's lots of lovely resorts up and down the coast.

If you don’t mind a lack of beaches (but there are lakes and outdoor pools) how about Bavaria?
However, if your son wants banging nightlife it might not be the place

Shhhhhh.... don't tell everyone about Dalyan 😉😁

Croatia.

Never heard anyone say they didn't enjoy it.

We visited Dubrovnik this summer and it was beautiful. But the man who took us round said the vast majority of Croatian beaches are stony rather than sandy. The sea was lovely but it's a drawback.

I've flown to Chania in Crete, stayed in a lovely family run hotel on a shallow sandy beach near Kissamos... If you go to Crete I recommend visiting Elafonossi which has lagoons with beautiful pink sand... personally loved all the (cheap) Greek food too.

Of course they do. Who turns down a free holiday when they’re a 21 year old student? Answer, nobody with any sense.

Thank you everyone, the 🙄 re Crete, was generated by the fact that when I said why Crete, one of them not my son
Invoked Love Island.

I had had a glass of wine when I posted last night, but I really wasn't being that judgy. Promise.

We went to Pissouri in Cyprus a few years ago - it’s up a steep hill (? Maybe a mountain) and is a small village, very picturesque. It’s close to the beach and I believe bars and clubs by the beach bit although we didn’t go there.

Bonus also they drive on the same side of the road as us so easy to drive!

Crete is fab but imo you can't beat Ibiza for all ages.

Tuscany

Croatia

Portugal. Most places along the coast from Faro if you've quite liked Spain. Lisbon (and nearby coast) is a good mix if you like both city vibes, fun places to eat and nightlife, and holiday relaxation down the coast. Porto is pretty (but by god hilly) and the nearby beaches (to north and south) are stunning, but more like south west france (i.e. very quiet, not touristy at night). Same sort of price bracket as Spain.

Another vote for Rethymno in Crete we stayed at the Casa Moazza suites. Beautiful old town and we had lots of day trips with our hire car, walking a gorge was a particular highlight.

However also happy to recommend Begur in Spain especially during their early September festival, I also enjoyed staying at the adult only Audax hotel in Cala Galdana which is a good base for exploring Memorca. And Croatia is wonderful too, either Split or Cavtat (which is close to Dubrovnik).

I vote island hopping in Croatia. I favourite holiday of all time. Fly in to Rijeka, rent a car, and use the car ferries to go between the islands and mainland. Fly out of Dubrovnik.

Es Cana in Ibiza.

Cavtat in Croatia

Boston and Cape Cod was one of my favourite holidays.

So we went looking and I mean truly looking yesterday, couldn't find anything on Crete or Naxos to tick all the boxes and then all of a sudden(brainwave) I said to DH, we are retired, we may, or may not feel the need of a holiday next year to look forward to..............and if we do, we can sort it out PDQ.

So..... we have given the YP's a budget, they have booked somewhere, we are taking some of the slack (33%)and they have to find the rest.

All of a sudden in the midst of the chat DS said, oooh no more nights in X local night club for me, I have a project.

Cracking solution IMO