We like quiet holidays - there must be somewhere?

[80schild]

We really want to go on holiday and we can only go over the summer holidays as DH is a teacher. However, we really like places that are quiet and peaceful. Last year was the first year we have been tied to this and DH really didn't enjoy himself. The resort was chaotic and overcrowded. We would like to go somewhere reasonably priced, child friendly and not too busy. Flight time no more than 4 hours. Does anyone have any suggestions of where we can go? Or are we dreaming that we find somewhere peaceful?

Where did you go last time?

I think you probably want to steer clear of resort type places. Places away from the coast tend to be quieter and maybe standalone self catering would work better from a peace and quiet point of view? We rented a gite on the edge of the Dordogne two years ago (about half an hour from Sarlat) - on the outskirts of a little village with a big garden and its own pool, it was very peaceful. There are lots of pockets of quiet places inland in France and Italy (probably Spain too although I'm not as familiar with it)

Also I don't know if it's practical for you but the very end of the summer holidays tends to be quieter - in France, for example the second half of August is much less busy ime.

yes, stay away from the start of the holidays. Find somewhere that takes a little more getting to - perhaps a Greek island without an airport so it is flight plus ferry? Or the Greek mainland?

you won't get childcare with this kind of trip though.

Late August is always quieter as European schools are returning. Does it have to have beach , sightseeing, watersports ...

We always go the last two weeks in August and its not too busy. However, if you really want quiet you need to go off the beaten track a bit. Get away from major resorts or well-known areas/cities. Avoid Paris, Barcelona, Tuscany, Italian lakes, well-known Mediterranean beach resorts, etc. Its not that hard. We went to Umbria this year and were amazed by how quiet it was. Its next door to Tuscany, which is always heaving, but we had hill towns almost to ourselves and even Assisi and Perugia weren't overwhelmingly busy. You don't have to go far off the beaten track, IME to get a more authentic and peaceful holiday.

We like quieter, non resorty style places.

Suggestions:
Atlantic coast of Portugal, Northern Spain, The Azores, Madeira

The Atlantic coast of Spain (Costa de la Luz), is also very quiet and has amazing, huge sandy beaches.

What about renting a villa somewhere?

Petra on the Greek Island of Lesvos was lovely and quiet when we went a few years ago.

How about renting a villa in Tuscany. We were up a mountain with our own pool, lots of quiet little villages around and Siena and Florence close enough for day trips.

Villages in Brittany. Rural France. Sweden, Norway, Denmark.

How about Germany? Unless you want a weather guarantee you have a fast choice of areas, from alpine mountains to beach towns. Big towns, tiny villages and everything in between. Nature, hiking, culture, sightseeing.

You normally do not have resorts but you could check on farm stays (Urlaub auf dem Bauernhof), self catering but other children, a playground and animals. You do not say how old your children are though.

We normally do not do resorts or AI but I found just a villa on its own can be quite demanding as DD then needs more attention and it is less than a holiday for us.

Canada - we went for days without seeing more than a handful of people. sure if you go to the attractions they are packed but not the walks through the woods etc. pick somewhere different not on the tourist trails. unfortunately though its august. what about having your main holiday at easter?

Netherlands last two weeks of August when kids are back at school. You can rent a house with rompoort (spelling?) holidays. We did this several times when kids were younger. Weather was warm, but lots to see and not really packed.

juneau I was just about to recommend the Costa de la luz as well, we own a property there and it's lovely and quiet and also child friendly.
It can get a bit busier in August though when the Spanish families from the cities come for a month or so

I'd second the Dordogne. We have been there a few times now, there is loads to see and do - canoeing, cave paintings, lake beaches, velorail, but no huge crowds at all. We've stayed in a number of places - as DS is an only we like to stay in groups of cottages with a communal pool - this is a nice place www.lepavillondestagnan.com/index.php/en/

We are going to the north of Vendee again next year, having been the last couple of years. We dont stay near the beach, but close enough to visit for the day. We rent a farmhouse with a pool and lovely gardens and the DC's have a fabulous time. There are things in the area to do, so when we feel like it, we can join in with activities and DD goes horse riding.

Northern Portugal , beautiful, green , mountains , coasts , rivers and when you are there unbelievably cheap

We stayed in a village called Sent (near Scuol) in eastern Switzerland this summer. Silent. Serene. Mountains. National Park. Rivers.... And so remote that virtually no one has heard of it.
We drove from uk, but you could fly to Munich then hire a car or fly to Munich/Zurich and catch a train.
It's not the cheapest (Italy or Austria would be cheaper) but you wouldn't be disturbed!

Also northern Tenerife, for quieter beaches. Virtually no English people go (just quite a few Germans), and, as pp have said, if you go at the v end of the hols, the German children will be back at school.

Madeira - beautiful

Thassos- Greek Island and very quiet :)

Vasilikos on Zakynthos is beautiful and very quiet.