Where to go in August for fussy people?

[vvviola]

I don't like heat (I melt above about 26 or 27 degrees), DH likes comfort but prefers self-catering so we can have some extra space in the evening. DD2 has food allergies, so self catering is useful, and we'd need to go somewhere that I could at least manage to make myself understood when eating out. DH and I both love history, DC will want a swimming pool and they are very sociable, but DH would be unbearable in a large resort because he's turning into Victor Meldrew

And, because MIL is visiting in July we can only go in August, which is ruling out loads of places (we had agreed on Malta until I looked at average temperatures).

We thought of Iceland, but it's working out very expensive.

We went to Bluestone in Wales last year which was nice, but it rained the whole time, and I think we'd like somewhere with a better chance of nice weather.

Any ideas? Or are we just too fussy?

My experience of the Canaries is hot but windy, so it doesn't really feel too hot.

Difficult to think of somewhere where you can be sure of dry weather but not hot.

We had a fantastic summer holiday in the Bavarian alps last year and visited Munich fr three nights, and Salzburg. We were not too far from Lake Chiemsee, staying in a self catering apartment that is used for ski-ing in the winter. The weather was actually unusually hot, we were there in the middle of a freak heat wave, but with all the greenery around, plenty of shade and woods, and wonderful clean mountain lakes to swim in and rivers to paddle in, it didn't feel unbearable. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend that region for a perfect family holiday.

It's true that Dordogne can be hot. However average August temperature is 28 degrees and it fits the bill in lots of other ways. We've been 5 times I think it is in summer, once it was too cold, once too hot for a couple of days (around32 degrees) and the other times just perfect ( around 24-28 degrees).

Or another French option that should be a little cooler due to the sea breeze is flying to La Rochelle and staying around there. It's not as rich in culture but there would certainly be places of interest to visit and nice food.

We go to Tenerife in October and it's just perfect for us then with an average temperature of 25-27 degrees and the occasional refreshing burst of rain. I can't imagine how hot it would be in summer when the sun is directly overhead.

Or some ski resorts are good in summer but maybe a bit light on the cultural aspects. if you got flights to Geneva you'd be very close to any number of French alpine villages which normally have outdoor village pools and activities. Samoens is gorgeous little village.

rookiemere - do you visit north or south tenerife in october? the north looked like it might be slightly less touristy but weather less reliable?

Hi we go to south Tenerife and stay at an apartment complex up about 3 miles from costa adeje. North might be more inviting in the summer.

I used to live in Austria - low 30s not unusual in the summer.

bibbitybobbity you have almost exactly described what we're now planning on doing - a few days in Salzburg, then up the mountains for fresh air and relaxing (and hopefully not too much heat) then to Munich for a few days.

I figure even if there is a heatwave, I can survive a day or two in the city, and if we get up the mountains a fair bit, it should be cooler.

knowing my luck it will be a miserable summer and I'll spend the whole time getting drenched instead of worrying about the heat!

Sark in the Channel Islands. Brilliant.