Summer holiday 2014 - hotel this year not self catering?

[Jungfraujoch]

Have always self catered but would love, love this year not to have to plan, shop, cook etc.

2 weeks of just sun and sightseeing somewhere but on a budget!

Any recommendations please - we normally do France or Spain, but thinking perhaps somewhere different - Croatia maybe? As long as it's not too hot (like Greece!).

Thanks in advance for all ideas and a very Happy New Year to all!

Anyone discover somewhere great last year?

For a massive change from self catering would you consider a cruise? Pure pampered luxury and you get to do lots of sightseeing in a new country nearly every day.

Thanks Creamy- possibly. But not a massive ship, all singing, all dancing. We did go on a 4 day Norwegian cruise in the Arctic Circle last Feb to see the Northern Lights which was fab. But the boat was more of a luxury ferry than luxury liner.

Any other suggestions please?

Sharm el sheikh. We went with 6 month old and 4 yo. Was great and cheap

Can you link to the northern lights ferry thing? Sounds amazing

Zgaze - this is the trip we did www.hurtigruten.co.uk/norway-voyages/flight-packages/arctic-highlights-package/

It wasn't cheap, but it was an amazing family trip for my 50th. Stunning scenery, husky and reindeer sledding and of course the Lights - absolutely magical - even my DS 12 and 8 were blown away!!

Queen marigold- thanks for suggestion but Sharm doesn't appeal - not sure why?!

If you are a fan of quiet but beautiful places then I would recommend Kolocep island in Croatia. I went 3 years ago and the views were amazing. You get there by ferry and no cars are allowed on the island. We then took ferries to visit Dubrovnik and some of the other islands. Kyaks are available to hire and you can row around the island. It is pretty hot in the summer though but not as hot as Greece or Turkey. The food is similar to Italian. The flight into Dubrovnik was one of my best ever, you can literally see 100s of islands just before you land.

Thank you Creamy- now that sounds idyllic!!! Bous would enjoy the island hopping too! Did you stay in a hotel or self cater? Is there a good travel specialist for Croatia?

There's only one hotel called Villa Kolocep which we stayed in, 3 restaurants and 2 tiny shops. I'm not sure how many local people live there but you see them bringing all their groceries back from the main land on the ferry. I booked it independently. There are loads of islands if you think you may prefer something bigger.

That place seems to be couples only now! Island is beautiful though! So if we did go self catering guess that would mean bringing shopping back from mainland? Will check out some of the other islands too. Thanks Creamy.

How about Italy. You need to book flights/hotel separately but Silvi Marina and Montesilvano both near Pescara have nice hotels on either FB or HB and v v v few English holiday makers. All on the beach and you get allocated a sunned and beach umbrella for the duration of your stay.
Or AI in Turkey around Lara Beach is good value and v nice 5 star hotels that you can get good deals on (although we went early July before schools broke up) but I can imagine busy in school hols and hot....