dont want a beach hol this year - what should we do??

[katiewins22]

advice welcome. We were going to camp in vendee but i have just been told have to have surgery in next month so the idea of driving around france and me possibly not being able to swim has made us think again.

need something to suit 2 adults - 3 children (teen and neary teenl/. we talked last night about italy - florence? rome? venice? perhaps go for 10 days and split over two places. We will need a holiday and i will be ok walking around as can always sit when need a rest.

we have also thought of dublin - but wd really like warm weather. DH has suggested Berlin but it doesnt appeal to me or the teenager . Have done Paris and Barcelotna. I really dont know where to go as have to sort thintgs out for this surgery so any great ideas would be really appreciated.

0h - this might help. the dates we can holiday between are 21st july

to 6th august - so bit of flexibility and dont have to go for 2 weeks. i think 10 days might be good. thanks in anticipation kate.

Austrian Alps? Maybe near Salzburg? Good mix of stuff to do that should keep everyone happy. Swimming in the lakes, walking round old towns, rides on gondolas, loads of more active stuff for those who like it. The weather should be in the high 20s in August.

Switzerland.
Austrian lakes.
Dublin is fantastic for a long weekend.

What about Tuscany?

Countryside is beautiful and there is lots to see and do. Last time we went we based ourselves in San Gimignano and from there we could visit southern Tuscany ie Volterra, Siena and northern Tuscany including a day trip by train to Florence and a trip to Pisa by car. If you get and apartment/house with a pool that would also appeal to the kids in the late afternoon when it is very hot.

Alternatively, I'd recommend Salzburg/Berchtesgaden which can be busy in summer but there is loads to see and do and a real balance for the adults/children (it also helps if you like the Sound of Music). My kids loved the salt mines:

www.salzzeitreise.de/?L=1

and Lake Konigsee/Eagle's Nest plus the zoo in Salzburg, the cakes and coffee along the river, boat trips, the trick fountains at Schloss Hellbrun plus there were some great museums for kids in Salzburg.

I can even recommend s really nice guesthouse in Salzburg which also has family apartments with kitchens (if you wanted to cook - we didn't). We stayed at this place and it was right near a bus stop which took us into the centre of Salzburg. Couldn't fault it at all.

www.blobergerhof.at/en/

Italian lakes? We went to Lake Garda last year and loved it. You can take ferries to different towns around the lake if you want to go exploring. Most hotels have pools so the children can go for a swim. florence, Rome and Venice will be stifling and crowded in July/August.

I wouls also agree with Bingandbear's suggestions or suggest a lake and mountain holiday in Slovenia.

Another vote for the Austrian Alps. Beautiful scenery, lots of activities and lovely family friendly wellness resorts.