Countryside family holiday not too far from main European airports? Possible?

[Tallblue]

Here's a challenge for my fellow globetrotting MNers....

I'm looking for a holiday in June next year, for two adults plus two DC, who by then will be 2.10 and 8 months.

We currently live in the Middle East and from our current location can only fly directly to large European airports such as Paris, Berlin, Rome etc.

We want to spend some time in the countryside, probably self catering but open to all options. Would need to be very child friendly with lots of equipment provided and toys available etc. I've looked at the list of Mumsnet best family holiday locations/accommodation and all seem to be nearer to the more remote and smaller airports in France, Spain, Italy etc.

Can anybody advise of a nice countryside region in a European country not too far when driving (one hour max) from a large/capital/main airport? Tried and tested family friendly accommodation would be great!

I can't recommend anywhere but worth looking at Austria (if you can fly to Vienna or maybe better Munich), Switzerland and the Swiss side of France. Not sure where you are but if Dubai look at Lyon as well.

I'm not sure on distances from Vienna/Munich but I know quite a few people who have gone to family hotels in Austria. Austria's a great place if what you need is green stuff!

Place marking as we have similar - I can't be arsed with connecting flights and would like to go somewhere green and rural and quiet. No kids so somewhere with a few bars to walk to, places to drive out to, and lots of nothing to actually do.

Providing you hire a car this is a pretty easy find.

Is Barcelona major? : in which case Can Burgues which is a lovely hazelnut farm owned by the same family for generations. Old fashioned but decent accommodation- only three apartments tho', good new pool, outdoor cooking facilities.
Or more options in geneva- e.g. Drive/bus to Annecy.

Had a wonderful holiday in Biarritz in France a few years ago. Has own airport 15mins taxi ride from town. From there you could holiday in countryside or the town, which is wonderful

Great suggestions, keep them coming, I'm in a research frenzy!
I have a newborn and thoughts of a lovely holiday next year are keeping me going through the crushing tiredness. Looking at holidays whilst feeding or pinned down by cuddly napping baby.

Hadn't thought of Austria for June, I think of it as a winter destination but yes, I can see the appeal after googling it!

Centerparcs a great idea too. I'm also onto looking at the other places mentioned.

Wally I'm hoping it is an easy find but I don't know Europe very well and was hoping for first hand experiences. So far so good!

Can you get to Malaga? Loads of villas with pools in inland Andalucia, which can be very rural, with white villages, mountains etc and easy access to Granada or Seville if you want a day or two in the city.