Where do we want to go on holiday?

[Mapleunicorn]

DP has to book all his holiday in advance, so it’s all booked before we manage to decide what to do with it. We would like to get away somewhere for a week (just me and him). Either early May or early July are the options. He is lovely, but not great with ideas, so I have to be the ideas person. Where do we go?

We did Rome this year, which was great but full on. We want something slightly more chilled, but still with stuff to do. DP would go stir crazy sat by a pool every day (I would be perfectly happy with a book) So somewhere warm, with good food, and some bits to do but also the chance to relax.

any good suggestions please? Pretty Healthy budget but don’t want to spend mega bucks. Ideally with a direct flight from LHR or LGW. I’m struggling with a blank canvas!

Maybe southern Spain? You could combine Granada, Cordoba and/or Sevilla with time by the coast, or look at smaller towns. Early May might be OK temperature-wise (again, not too hot for sightseeing). In early May, I’d also consider Greece (maybe Crete) or Turkey.

Crete was one of the ones I thought of, but I had been a couple of times over the years so was leaning towards somewhere new. Seville is a great shout. I know nothing about Turkey but seems to be popular

Madeira is fantastic. Its a small island so easy to get around and lots to see and do. Base yourself in Funchal.
Also Italy, Sorrento area. Had an amazing holiday and again loads to do.

We had a lovely holiday in Iceland in June - loads to do and the thermal baths for relaxing time

Malta?

Early May - Nice and South of France. Hire a car. It’s beautiful. Nice has outstanding restaurants. You would be spoilt for choice. Bordeaux is also lovely and you can drive inland for beautiful villages. My DD liked Puglia in Italy. Lots to see and do and food is wonderful. Also consider Bologna. Train access to Ravenna, Parma, Modena (Ferrari museum) and other options such as Venice or Padua. Bologna itself has a great food scene too.

Further afield - Cape Town is a long way but little jet lag. Night flights mean you arrive in the morning. Early May is autumn there but there’s a lot to see and do. Go into the wine region as well as the Cape.

July - Iceland would be great. Weather can be variable but you should see puffins and whales. Lots of other things to see and do. Sweden and Norway would also be wonderful if dh doesn’t want a poolside holiday. We don’t like the high temperatures further south in Europe now but really enjoy Brittany and Normandy. Again, plenty to see and great restaurants. Sicily is also fantastic in May. Fewer visitors and wonderful towns to explore. It’s fabulous but tour. Don’t stay in one place.

Early May is great for Seville as suggested. You could double up with maybe Granada/Cordoba.

Morocco? Lots of things to see and do but plenty of time for relaxing. We did a few nights in the medina and went out to the atlas mountains for a few nights in a lovely hotel.

Sicily in May. Amazing food, ruins. Hire a car so you can get to places and see the scenery. Get a very small car as the streets are narrow.

Malta in early May. Stay in hilton St Julian's Bay. Short taxi to valetta with lots to do there. Taxi to mdina. Boat trip to blue lagoon and comino. Separate day trip buggy riding sightseeing gozo.

Cyprus. Lots to see and still a good pool/beach destination. We are going again this year because one week wasn't enough last time.

Majorca - things to do, nature, caves, hikes, beach. We stayed near Can Picafort and rented bikes, it's an easy flat terrain unlike other parts of the island.
Palma is beautiful.

Sicily is also on our list.

Lake Annecy and Haute Savoie region in July is stunning

Well I'll tell you where I'm planning to go in May, it's to Provence, all going well. Fly into Marseilles and base myself in Cassis. Take trips to Arles, Aix, Avignon and Nimes if time allows. I'll be away ten days.

I can echo the pp who suggested the Cote dAzur also. Nice or any of the surrounding seaside towns like Beaulieu sur mer, Villefranche, etc. ( have a look at the map) are great. Easy trips to Cannes, Monaco, and over the border to Ventimiglia in Italy.

Go and spend 3 days in Athens and see the sights then hire a car and drive to Nafplio for the next 4. Perfect weather and totally beautiful.

Greek island? Crete or Rhodes (stay in old town) Always things to go and see, interesting ruins, churches, cobbled streets to wander around and lovely beaches for the afternoons.

Malta in may, get a cheap hire car. Small. Nowhere is far but parking can be a pain.

July pretty much anywhere in Europe.

Lots of wonderful suggestions on here! And a lot of places I’ve never been. I am going to go and do some googling and have a look at them all. Thank you 🙂

Malaga?