First child free holiday for 20 years. Where to go ?

[harbingerofdoom]

Really stuck. We used to enjoy travelling but now just want to collapse!

1. Not too hot as I have very fair skin.
2. Don't like 'lively' resorts. 3)Has to be 'something' to do but not always involving water.

Italian lakes? or Slovenia

Any suggestions?

We loved Croatia, but it gets very hot in the summer. When were you planning to travel?

Perhaps the end of August/beginning of September

South of France. Stay in <a class="break-all" href="http://www.google.co.uk/imgres?q=villefranche&um=1&hl=en&client=safari&sa=N&tbm=isch&tbnid=5DlheimSrRAAwM:&imgrefurl=gift.contactez.net/gallery/villefranche.html&docid=oz3dFpkt2vY88M&w=550&h=366&ei=eZUxTub3H4e2hQeP79XlCg&zoom=1&iact=hc&vpx=429&vpy=342&dur=1758&hovh=183&hovw=275&tx=129&ty=236&page=1&tbnh=165&tbnw=252&start=0&ndsp=9&ved=1t:429,r:7,s:0&biw=981&bih=661" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Ville Franche them from there you can get train to Nice/Monacco/ Monte Carlo in under 20 minutes.

It's heavenly

We went to Sorrento last September to celebrate our 20th wedding anniversary. It was beautiful, weather in mid 20s, visited Pompeii, could have done more sightseeing but didn't bother, instead I enjoyed sitting by the pool and chiiling out.
Would highly recommend it.

Croatia would be lovely. Fantastic food, gorgeous scenery, beaches not really beachy, but the water's great. Island hopping (Hvar is amazing) plus a visit to Dubrovnik.

We've just got married but small children and tight finances mean no honeymoon for a few years. I'm going to enjoy this thread on a fantasy basis

We have been to Dubrovnik and it certainly is a great place to visit (and the surrounding area).
I have been to the south of France from Nice to Sete in my student days and DH isn't that keen.
Will go and research Sorrento. The weather sounds ideal and a few ruins and sights are always welcome.
Thanks for your replies-any more ideas. It doesn't even have to be a 'hot' country just not wet!

Sorrento is lovely, and you can get the hydrofoil to the Amalfi coast very easily. I hated Naples, very dirty, lots of beggars, but a day trip to Pompeii is easily done. There is a fab ice cream shop in Sorrento, and some lovely markets

Istria?? Its a lot less warm there than further south in Dalmatia (Split, Hvar, Dubrovnik etc)

Or Austria? I'd go for Tuscany or Venice

Is Venice VERY touristy all the year round?

Havn't considered Austria, it must be quite beautiful but is it very expensive? Bit of a blank page on this country.

Cape town , loads to do and it will be their mild winter time.

Wow, Cape Town, never set foot in Africa. Would not want to visit African countries round the Med at the moment.

Long flight but same (ish) time zone. Interesting suggestion.

I think I'd go somewhere in mainland europe that I could reach by train, there's a certain romance to long distance train travel when you go to sleep in one country and wake up in another. You could combine a city stopover followed by a relaxing country/mountain hotel?

Disneyworld?

Kidding! How about Jordan - Dead Sea, Petra, diving? Or Morocco? Or I'm with those who have suggested Italy. Or how about Russia - St Petersburg is very "hot" at the moment and Moscow is very interesting.

I'd go here (in my dreams)

www.mangiacane.it/

I think Russia is ruled out on this occasion due to the price of the visa. However , we would both love to go Russia when we have more time and energy to 'travel'.
Now I love the idea of train rather than plane. Can it be that easy? (commuting
DH is not sure!) Have heard of seat 61 site.
Jordan is a great idea but I have been there (as a child). Diving is out because although I swim like a fish, I have dodgy ears and DH swims like a whale and would never sink!
Sorry to be a bit negative but it just goes to show how fussy one gets with age.
You're coming up with some great ideas but nothing has 'clicked' IYKWIM

We did a city break to Vienna, really loved it. Affordable, lots to see especially if you like your culture,, easy to get around on trams and we paid 12 euro 2 years ago for 4 days of public transport

Vienna is a fab idea (slightly biased as have local info).

....Vienna by train then a few nights in the mountains on the way back!

We had a great weekend in Bologna at that time of year and I loved Lucca as well.

OK, Vienna on the list.
Have you been there by train? Tell me.
Both like the idea :)

OK, well must admit haven't done the whole journey by train but have done Vienna-Dusseldorf (then 4 hour drive to Calais) twice (return), plus one single return journey to UK, all with the car & dog.......plus lived in Vienna for 5 years.....so possibly a bit biased!! I loiter on the Seat61.com website and keep mentally planning return trips to Austria by train. Being totally practical, train does not generally come out as cheapest option but it's still up there on my wish list. I am however a fan of Vienna & Austrian hotels (mountain/spa) in general so can advise.

Our first child-free holiday was a safari in Tanzania and a few days in Zanzibar and Chumbe Island - absoloutely idylic all round.

Italian lakes sounds lovely as a change from children - you could fly to Verona, spend a day there (either admiring the Colisseum or seeing an opera in it), then bus to Lake Garda, and spend time sampling the local wines and excellent cooking and wandering around looking at scenery and castles.

Venice or Vienna also both lovely. Or what about Paris for ease of getting to and excellent food?

Everywhere sounds so lovely! Rather stuck at the moment. Decisions and research.
Thanks all.