First hols abroad - where?!

[theluckiest]

Ok, am a total novice!! We have always holidayed in the U.K. but DS1 (10) has been asking if we can go abroad next year. DH has always been a bit reluctant (he's very picky food-wise, a bit tight and not great with a lot of heat!!) but seems to be warming to the idea...

So, where wld you recommend? Ideally somewhere not horribly busy and preferably with somewhere to visit (ie villages/castles/interesting things!!) We're def not just lolling on the beach for a week folk (I could be but kids / DH easily bored)

Prefer self catering but open to ideas.

So where's good? Spain? Croatia? Greece? France? Malta? Turkey?!

Budget is tight but I genuinely have no idea what a week in July/August would cost (Probably not that much more than a week in Cornwall high-season seems to be at the mo tbh )

Thanks all!

Brittany? We've lived here 15 years and have had a gite here for ten. Several families have come back every year It fits all your criteria above anyway - (and the beaches are pretty fab - you can send DH & DS1 off to a chateau for an afternoon at least!) We live next door and DS2 will be 10 next year, so your son would have a table tennis partner too

Oh my word Jen! I want to go there now!! It looks wonderful.

I hadn't actually considered a gite but my parents have had wonderful hols in France.

Thankyou - it definitely ticks lots of boxes. Will absolutely pop that in my Favourites!

How long would the drive from Calais take roughly? Could we do it in one run or need a stopover?

Ah, well thank you for your kind words!

From Calais it's about 6 hours driving, so do-able but a long day. Unless you live in the South East near Dover I'd look at Brittany Ferries (we have a discount code) it's loads less driving.

Happy to help with whatever I can about France generally if I can - whether our place is right for you or not.

OP I could almost have written your post apart from we are looking to go at Easter rather than August so I'm thinking Brittany workday be too cold for us?

I've found anywhere with a pool helps to entertain the DC, and city breaks have not been at all successful for us so far. They just get bored and tired walking around and don't share my love of cafes and old towns! Had some good times in Greece, lovely laid back attitude towards children there too.