Can anyone find this (possibly fictional...) place for me please??

[Luckystar1]

We are hoping to go on holiday for around 10 days in September sometime (dates are flexible) with our (then) 1 year old and 2 year old.

Ideally we'd like to stay in a small town, with a beach, and a pretty town centre with some shops, restaurants and other amenities. We've actually said we'd like to stay somewhere like Falmouth in Cornwall, but abroad.

I've been trying and failing to google as I'm not really sure what to put in.

Can anyone help please with recommendations. We don't really care what country etc it is in, although, we are not keen on a flight to say Turkey/Greece/Cyprus.

Thank you!

Beware Malta we were there last year and were frankly appalled at some areas on the coast, very run down. Sardinia (preferred) and Corsica (Calvi) lovely, food locally produced try Corsican Places, not cheap though and whilst you can manage without a car more options with one. Agree Minorca if budget tight, lovely coves.

Thank you Royston I'll have a look! Thank you for the info!

Caorle in Italy?

Lagos, Portugal. It is a bit of a drive from the airport but its got stunning beaches- reminds us of Thailand. It is one of the cheaper countries in Europe and the town is lovely.

Another vote for Porec, it's like Italy but cheaper! We had a beautiful coastal walk to the town every evening, lots of families out, play areas along the route so you can take your time. In the town there are lots of restaurants and ice cream parlours...one of our best holidays when DCs were younger.

Cassis in France and Caorle in Italy both fit the bill 🙂

Porec is one of the prettiest places I've been though many years ago. Vrsar just down the coast was nice too though small.

Porec is top of our list at present! Thank you all so much!

Hurray! Good choice . I've been taking a tour this evening on google streetview. Looks better than I remembered it - want to go back now!

Only downside that I can remember is pebbly beaches but catching the boat to Venice was a highlight.

@bestiswest we are going to cascais next month - any specific recommendations?

@petal On my phone now but I'll update more later.
There's a little shack opposite the lighthouse does great fish and seafood. Go to Sintra - there's a bus from Cascais - and visit the Pena Palace and the Regalaria palace. The Guimares house in Cascais is worth a guided tour too plus the little sea museum and the Paula Rego gallery. The park is fab and they often have open air concerts - Jamie Cullum was there last time we went. Get the train to Lisbon, goes into Cais do Sodre and there's a great food market near the station. Also a good open air Market in Cascais on a Thursday ( I think). Also a great Chicken Piri piri place in the old part of town (might be O Reis do Frango), try the pork steaks as well as the chicken. Oh I want to go back now, you'll have a fab time

Also for a coffee or a lunchtime snack the cafe in the park is great. For a posh night out there are great fish restaurants in the street by the fish market where you can see the catch being sold.

Thank you so much x

Can I add a vote for Collioure? We had a brilliant holiday there when ds was about 7. Lovely town, lots of ice cream places, great restaurants and very pretty to walk about.

Don't be put off Malta - we have a real soft spot for it and have been many times. I don't think it's quite what you seem to looking for right now, but we have had some wonderful family holidays there in villas. It's quite a quirky place to visit but some real gems to discover. We are going back this year in fact!

@bestiswest
Just wanted to say thanks! We loved our holiday - went to sintra, the chicken place, the rego gallery, the mercado at Lisbon and spent a lot of time in the park

Oh, I'm so pleased you enjoyed it @petalMettle. So envious, trying to persuade DH to go back.

Menorca fits the bill
I love it there

It really is a special place...- and I miss my air con now I'm back!

Brittany or cote d' azure would be a good bet.

Port Grimaud, France, like a mini Venice with boat trips to St Tropez and easy access to Monaco. The beach is amazing and sea warm.

I would avoid Malta. It’s very pretty, however is all rock, and the few sandy beaches that they have there, are horrendously overcrowded in summer season.

Do you live in Midlands/ southern England. Because Normandy/ Brittany etc or the Channel Islands all have what you're after. And doing a ferry or eurotunnel means you can get up and about more with DCs and that you can have all the parephenalia in your car for a baby and a toddler.
It's not a massive journey, little time difference so less change in routine and less grumpy kids. And more time for you and DP to relax and enjoy yourselves! All the best.