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Original poster

Where should I take my family on holiday - nice but not too hot?

29 replies

dreamingoaholiday · 21/04/2023 20:48

I have a new job and I can finally afford to take my family on holiday!

My DC are 10 and 15 and have never been abroad. I want to book a holiday for 2024.

I haven't been on a holiday abroad in nearly 20 years and never with DC, I'm not sure where to start! But also, we're not into a lot of the traditional holiday things e.g. we're not sun seekers.

We like: nice food, exploring, history, culture. Would be nice to visit some lovely beaches but we don't need to be there everyday.

We don't like: very hot weather. My eldest and I melt if it's above 25c!
Not into sitting by the pool all day. The kids would probably like to be somewhere they can meet other DC but DP and I would hate to be in a large hotel resort. Would consider self catering cottage / villa, Eurocamp, a small hotel - open to suggestions!

Where could we go that's not too hot, but with lots to explore? And that doesn't break the bank!

OP posts:
WaitingForSunnyDays · 21/04/2023 20:52

Can you only go in the school summer holidays? That will make a big difference to the suggestions because of the temperature!

Bullshot · 21/04/2023 20:57

How about northern France - Normandy or Brittany.

plenty of eurocamp type places and loads to see and do - in particular the war cemeteries and beaches.

Temperatures should be just pleasant I think

Xrays · 21/04/2023 21:02

If you can sneak a few days off school for them and go during May (or during the half term or around then) it will give you a lot more options because a lot of the really hot places are very nice in May. I’m thinking Cyprus, Side in Turkey, various areas of Tenerife, Kefalonia…. lots of those places have a lovely mix of things to see and do, beautiful beaches, towns to explore etc. Turkey and Cyprus in particular have some really interesting historical bits and bobs, and there’s the forests and waterfalls near side too.

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Original poster
dreamingoaholiday · 21/04/2023 22:18

WaitingForSunnyDays · 21/04/2023 20:52

Can you only go in the school summer holidays? That will make a big difference to the suggestions because of the temperature!

Yes, it has to be school holidays! But it doesn't have to be summer - it could be May or Easter.

OP posts:
Original poster
dreamingoaholiday · 21/04/2023 22:32

Bullshot · 21/04/2023 20:57

How about northern France - Normandy or Brittany.

plenty of eurocamp type places and loads to see and do - in particular the war cemeteries and beaches.

Temperatures should be just pleasant I think

Northern France could be just the thing, temperature-wise. DP and I speak a little French, and DS claims to have not learnt any at school but I'm not sure I believe him!

I've always enjoyed France.

I'm not really into military history though. DS is, but it's not really my thing.

OP posts:
TakeMe2Insanity · 21/04/2023 22:33

Scandinavia is really lovely in the summer.

Original poster
dreamingoaholiday · 21/04/2023 22:34

Xrays · 21/04/2023 21:02

If you can sneak a few days off school for them and go during May (or during the half term or around then) it will give you a lot more options because a lot of the really hot places are very nice in May. I’m thinking Cyprus, Side in Turkey, various areas of Tenerife, Kefalonia…. lots of those places have a lovely mix of things to see and do, beautiful beaches, towns to explore etc. Turkey and Cyprus in particular have some really interesting historical bits and bobs, and there’s the forests and waterfalls near side too.

They sound like great options. I've been to Kefalonia and Crete, and loved both. And I love greek and Turkish food.

Do you think Easter might work?

OP posts:
Original poster
dreamingoaholiday · 21/04/2023 22:35

TakeMe2Insanity · 21/04/2023 22:33

Scandinavia is really lovely in the summer.

Thanks :) Whereabouts would you go?

OP posts:
frozendaisy · 21/04/2023 22:36

Italy at Easter

thaegumathteth · 21/04/2023 22:37

We stayed in a euro camp lodge at La Croix du Vieux Pont. Not far from Paris.

thaegumathteth · 21/04/2023 22:39

This is local area info

Where should I take my family on holiday - nice but not too hot?
PrincessofWellies · 21/04/2023 22:41

Northern Spain is beautiful with fantastic beaches and lots of places to visit. The overnight ferry to Santander is fun too. Easier than flying, and we camped. Great fun.

KEG05 · 21/04/2023 22:44

The Netherlands. My eldest DD and I are just back from a few days at Duinrell. It was fab. Few theme park rides massive indoor water park. Lovely little town adjacent and public transport was so easy to navigate. We were only there for 3 nights but wish we had stayed longer. We would have gone to The Hague and Rotterdam etc. we stayed Eurocamp and the accommodation was fine but basic. If we went again we would pay to stay in the sites own accommodation which was a bit bigger.

TellerTuesday · 21/04/2023 22:44

Duinrell?

LlynTegid · 22/04/2023 07:59

Northern France is not just about military history- you can explore places painted by the French Impressionists, for example.

Original poster
dreamingoaholiday · 22/04/2023 13:00

LlynTegid · 22/04/2023 07:59

Northern France is not just about military history- you can explore places painted by the French Impressionists, for example.

Sorry I didn't mean to come across as if I was ruling out the entire of North France! Just saying military history isn't my thing.

I've had some lovely holidays in Brittany, pre-kids.

Thanks for the suggestion :)

OP posts:
ThreeRingCircus · 22/04/2023 13:54

Would you consider a cruise? Royal Carribbean etc often have lots for teenagers to do and you can sail the Norwegian fjords or a longer trip around more Scandinavian counties. Often lovely weather in Summer but not too hot at all.

Friends have just returned from a fjords cruise in the Easter holidays with P&O sailing from Southampton so no flights and raved about it.

RandomMess · 22/04/2023 14:22

Malta in February

DorisParchment · 22/04/2023 14:27

Normandy! Lots to do, D day landings, Bayeux tapestry, pretty villages, beaches.

raspberriesblueberries · 22/04/2023 14:33

If your eldest is 15, will he be doing GCSEs next year? That may impact on whether you want to go away at Easter or May HT

cantelouper · 22/04/2023 14:52

Metz, Nancy for glass like Lalique. Luxembourg, Trier in Germany they have a Roman building.

Can do much by Train, we driving and camped.

MumofSpud · 22/04/2023 14:57

@KEG05 and @TellerTuesday
Yes to Duinrell - we had a few lovely family holidays there when DC were younger - v safe too
Great ice cream place in the little town (walkable distance)

cantelouper · 22/04/2023 14:58

Western France like Normandy is a bit tame for teens.

Capital Cities? Many have Lakeside resorts if inland. Vienna has riverside park, with charges.

reluctantbrit · 22/04/2023 15:21

When does your older one has GCSEs? If next year than I would avoid Easter and definitely May.

For Summer - Bavaria, Austria, Netherlands, City trip to Berlin and then north to the lakes or Baltic sea, Brittany.

Orangello · 22/04/2023 15:21

If they've never been abroad I would also go for a cruise - either Mediterranean if Spring or Baltic sea if summer.

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