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Original poster

The perfect holiday

28 replies

sunnysideurp · 22/03/2023 16:43

Posting in chat for traffic..

I'm looking for a holiday destination and hoped you all might have some advice

  • max 4 hours flight from the Midlands
  • beautiful scenery/beaches
  • interesting towns/heritage - places to explore
  • known for good food & drink
  • will be adults only, so not worried about things for kids to do.
  • warm/hot in September

Any ideas? Ideally not Italy, as I have exhausted my favourite spots and I'm keen to try somewhere new, though I do love it.

Thanks in advance, mn'ters!

OP posts:
midsomermurderess · 22/03/2023 16:47

One of the Greek islands. Skiathos or Skopelos.

beggsie · 22/03/2023 16:49

San Sebastián, Spain or Marrakesh?

TheNoodlesIncident · 22/03/2023 16:52

Corfu or Crete

WhyOhWine · 22/03/2023 16:54

before I got to "preferably not Italy", I was going to suggest Sicily. I agree various Greek Islands would fit the bill. Maybe Crete.
Also Croatia, e.g Split with some island hopping from there for beaches. Or Dubrovnik.
Montnegro

Choconut · 22/03/2023 18:23

Mallorca? Palma is lovely and then over to Soller/Port de Soller on the tourist train/tram.

lieselotte · 22/03/2023 18:23

Croatia or Slovenia

reluctantbrit · 22/03/2023 18:28

Costa de la Luz and into Andalusia

Sicily

I personally wasn't keen on Crete but it was a holiday we orignally planned elsewhere and couldn't go.

Original poster
sunnysideurp · 22/03/2023 18:31

WhyOhWine · 22/03/2023 16:54

before I got to "preferably not Italy", I was going to suggest Sicily. I agree various Greek Islands would fit the bill. Maybe Crete.
Also Croatia, e.g Split with some island hopping from there for beaches. Or Dubrovnik.
Montnegro

Ha! Yesterday I mocked up a holiday to Montenegro (Kotos) and then moving to Dubrovnik for a few days. Couldn't quite work out the flight details but clearly I'm in the right territory!

This is after almost booking a trip to the Greek island of Halkidiki - the hotel was so remote , I need a bit more going on, so will check out the other suggestions.

Thanks so far 😊

OP posts:
gogohmm · 22/03/2023 18:32

Greek island's definitely fit your remit, they are at different price points so something for all budgets. You said not Italy but gave you gone Sicily?

twinklelight · 22/03/2023 18:34

The French Riviera 100%. I absolutely love Nice, Antibes and Menton. There are nice beaches but lots of lovely side streets in the old town with delicious restaurants and fabulous shops. It’s my favourite place in the world!

LightsOnNow · 22/03/2023 18:37

South of France, either Cote d;Azur or Provence. Chic, warm, plenty to see and do, great food and wine, easy to get around. It's my happy place.

LightsOnNow · 22/03/2023 18:37

@twinklelight I think I saw you there on the Prom des Anglais last year LOL.

WhyOhWine · 22/03/2023 18:38

When we went to Montenegro (Sveti Stefan rather than Kotos, but we did visit Kotos), we flew to Dubrovnik and hired a car. It was a few years ago but I dont remember the drive being particularly onerous, so definitely doable to combine.

Croatia is our plan for this year (island hopping between Dubrovnik and Split) - not been before other than on the way to Montenegro.

I think halkidiki is on the mainland BTW rather than being an island (Sani resort?). There are one or two places worth a visit nearby but agree there would be better options for what you have in mind.

Fireyflies · 22/03/2023 18:39

Turkey ticks all those boxes. Istanbul is fantastic if you like cities, or many places on the west coast or around Dalyan great for a quieter trip

Xarrie · 22/03/2023 18:40

Halkidiki is mainland Greece. I would go for one of the islands.

LeafHunter · 22/03/2023 18:45

Croatia.

emmathedilemma · 22/03/2023 18:47

Madeira (check the weather though, I’ve only been earlier in the year)

Original poster
sunnysideurp · 22/03/2023 18:49

Of course Halkidiki is mainland - I was getting my destinations mixed up. So. Many. Places. The hotel I found was so stunning and looked like paradise, then after a bit of digging, it's transpires there's not even a shop for 20minutes 🥴

I had a trip to Taormina (Sicily) booked 3 times during the covid mess, and was forced to cancel. I feel like I've lost my impetus to get there for the minute. Also, it's very similar to Italy (the reason for wanting to go), and I really feel like having a total change.

I really fancy the sound of a Greek island or the French Riviera, so far. Going to get Googling.

OP posts:
Whatdayisitalexa · 22/03/2023 18:52

Lindos, Rhodes

Bemyclementine · 22/03/2023 18:53

Fully into Nice, then take your pic of any of the lovely places along the coast.

The train runs all along the coast, making getting around very simple.

I like mandelieu la napoule for somewhere smaller to stay.

Xarrie · 22/03/2023 18:53

Madeira has stunning scenery but not lovely beaches. Everything else would fit though.

Bemyclementine · 22/03/2023 18:54

Fly into Nice...

Plantmoretrees86 · 22/03/2023 18:57

Croatia ticks all those boxes! Split/Dubrovnik as pp have mentioned but also Zadar is worth a look. We had a great holiday there a few years ago.

WeAreTheHeroes · 22/03/2023 18:58

If you're going mid to late September then go for a Greek island further east. Montenegro and Croatia are good shouts. Madeira is beautiful and we had fantastic weather there in October though apparently it was hotter than usual for the time of year.

Should you go to Crete, give the Minoan Palace of Knossos a miss - most of what is visible is "renovated" and made up according to the vision of the bloke who led the excavations.

twinklelight · 22/03/2023 19:06

LightsOnNow · 22/03/2023 18:37

@twinklelight I think I saw you there on the Prom des Anglais last year LOL.

Must have done! I’m going back in August, I can hardly wait!