OK where shall the Peaheads go this summer?

[PrincessPeaHead]

I'm not feeling inspired. I think the February rain and mud has just sucked the life out of me.

Four children, 9,6,3 and 1.5. Not France or Greece (for reasons which I won't go into). Would love to go to the US but not Cape Cod. Either hotel or Villa/rental. Needs to involve wonderful beaches or lakes, swimming pool unless on top of beach, things to do around and about, relatively kid friendly, and a place that is interesting in its own right. Guaranteed hot but not super-boiling. Europe or US/Canada. Buggyable. Assume a healthy budget.

Inspire me please?!

this place looks rather lovely

morocco looks nice

Ha, Soapbox

sicily looks lovely la favorita

take the peaheads to Peatown Texas
is has such a charming cemetary

Hilton Head

Corsica, Ok it is French but with a heavy Italian influence apparently, we are off their in August.

Sardinia had lovely beaches

oooh look at all these messages, isn't everyone brilliant.

whoosh I was thinking of hilton head - is it OK in August? Not TOO humid and ennervating? I'm afraid I won't do Florida in August, SO unpleasant. And prone to early hurricanes. Practically every year.

I was also looking at Maine and the Arcadia National Park, reason I said no Cape Cod is because we've been there a few times recently and dh wants something different... I'm not sure if Maine will be different enough. I love that Coast though.
Morocco, not in August.
Canada - lived there for 20 years, if I was going to go would have to be Vancouver as db lives there, and the time difference puts me off with little ones. I could be persuaded though...

So anyone have any further info on Maine, Hilton Head or Vancouver? Or I was also looking at the Outer Banks, North Carolina?
Or anywhere in Europe? Can't get excited about another overpriced villa in Italy with bloody lumpy beds and no airconditioning... heresy though it may be to say it...

Message withdrawn

hmmm what does anyone think about hilton head? too boiling in August?

Hilton Head will be hot and humid - but should have a nice breeze from the ocean.

Never been, but alot of people adore Martha's Vineyard. Or you could rent something fab for megabucks in the Hamptons....

hmmmm re hot and humid. Humidity and not quite 2 year olds don't really mix, I find.

hamptons and marthas vineyard not really so much my style. want to have a nice time with dh and the kids, not have to get prada-d up for dinner every night.
Cape Cod more my style but dh wants a change...

Iceland?

PPH - not just humid in August but full of Mossies too!

Did you not find Cape Cod humid? Relatively speaking, not sure Hilton Head will be hugely worse.

I spent some fab time a few summers ago bouncing around Santa Fe/Taos and it was lovely. Ditto Lake Tahoe in the summertime. But, not sure how suitable they are for keeping a young brood entertained. But both feature electric blue skies, gorgeous scenery and little/no humidity.

Norway is what you need - I second bossykate.

Fab scenery, plenty of activities, hot but not too hot, kid friendly.

I would spend a few days in Oslo which is a lovely city, lots to see. While in Oslo, I would spend at least a day on hired bikes (incl 1 with a little trailer for your toddler) exploring the Nordmark hills.

Then head north to one of the National Parks for some gorgeous mountains and lakes. Aim to include in the journey one of the amazing train rides through mountains and fjords, and/or a night or 2 on one of the Hurtigrute ships that go up and down the coast.

And eat smoked salmon EVERY SINGLE DAY.

Italian Lakes?

Why not charter a boat with crew? You could stop where you pleased, and walk/eat/explore. Go off into little coves for picnics/snorkeling.....

Sardinia - Forte Village, or too Butlinseque for you?
We are thinking of going to Denmark- never been "up" before, plus DH wants to go to Legoland. Norway and Finland also appeal in the summer(apart from the compulsory pickled fish for dinner every night)
Look at Scott Dunn - they have some good villas, plus staff!

PPH may I hijack for a second? You said you have been to Cape Cod several times. We are off there this summer. DH's cousin is getting married out there (he is from Boston), so we are doing our 2 week summer holiday to tie in with the weeding. Could you give me the low down on things to do/ places to go (sounds like Tikabilla ). TIA

yes agree with scandiwegia

Oh welliemum. What a heartfelt sales spitch, That does sound most idyllic... I don't suppose Norway on a budget is possible in summer holiday time, is it?

Well Hilton Head is pretty humid in Aug butif you rent a house on the beach you get a fab breeze and of course everything is airconditioned.
We had a fab house,right on a beach which stretched for miles but were close enough to go and do ther stuff.

We "rescued" stranded starfish every morning for three weeks!

My dd is 22 mts and I would gladly take her there.

Have heard great reports of Scott Dunn villas with chefs and nannies in Europe too though...

pitch!