Recommendations for family beach and sightseeing holiday with 'character' in Europe?

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Planning ahead for May half term here. I have a rare opportunity to take a week's holiday in May next year (usually tied down in Uni terms) so want to visit the kind of places that are too hot in August and too cool in Easter. Considering Italy (Sardinia?) but open to other suggestions.

Our children will be 10 and 11. We'd like a beautiful beach very near by, preferably walking distance. Pool, gardens, space to play are all desirable - and essential if beach is a bit further. We'd like some other similar aged children about and a few low key things to do, but NOT a huge all-singing-all-dancing resort. Given the budget and need for family space, we're probably looking at self-catering with shared grounds/facilities, but wouldn't rule out a hotel/B&B. Must be pretty, characterful, friendly, relaxed. Must be near good, authentic places to eat, preferably a nice, small town to wander around not too far away, and a little bit of gentle sightseeing for some days.

I'm thinking up to about £1000 for the four of us just for accommodation for a week (extra for food and flights)

Any suggestions???

we had a week in Alghero, Sardinia, first week of August last year for four - me, adult daughter, teenager, toddler and it was just under £800 flying with skankyair and a 2 bed self catering apartment about 30m from the beach, have forgotten what the place was called, aparthotel something

I even picked up a Norwegian dentist in the apartment next door as an optional bonus, he wasn't the most attractive but am not in a position to be too choosy myself

anyway we loved the very very very safe bathing and obviously good weather guaranteed, would definitely recommend, the old town is v photogenic and further up the coast are disused silver mines and other interesting places

Playa des Fornells in Menorca sounds like it might suit. It's 2km away from one of the most beautiful fishing villages in the Med, Fornells, where the King of Spain goes to eat lobster. Fornells is really pretty and the huge amount of restaurants and facilities for water sports here make it one of the most desirable places that I know.

Playa des Fornells is a newish resort of privately owned villas and apartments in several different complexes with shared pools just over a headland from Fornells. There are several nice restaurants and bars and a few shops if you dont want to travel the 2km into Fornells itself. There is a beach and fantastic snorkelling off the rocks.

Have a look on Owners Direct, you should get a fantastic bargain at the time of year you are considering. I believe there are some villas and apartments in Fornells itself.

The whole of Menorca is fascinating, has more stone age ruins that anywhere else on the planet, is a protected wildlife biosphere and its two main cities, Mahon and Ciutadella are architecturally stunning, one in the Spanish style, the other Georgian.

www.ownersdirect.co.uk/playas-de-fornells.htm