recommendations for quietish, mountainous or historical - first week in August (please)

[coffeepot]

OK ? first week in August is going to be busy everywhere ? but if you wanted to go somewhere not too crowded or touristy, with mountains (or at least pretty hills) and some off the beaten track type of history, and with a 7 year old in tow ? where would you go?

I'm not just being biased but Bosnia ticks all your boxes. Stunning mountains(look at my photos). Lots of interesting history/culture (and not just the obvious - the war ended 12 ish years ago). About to be big for tourism but still not heaving. Cheap flights with Easyjet to Split in Croatia (only an hour from the Bosnian border) and with BA to Sarajevo. And VERY welcoming to children! The official tourism website has some good images and ideas. Would highly recommend Mostar if travelling with 7 yr old. A small city, beautiful, and plenty of interesting places to visit in and around it.
Good luck whatever you choose.

What about somewhere like Iceland? Or Sweden? I've never been to either of these two places myself but woudl love to!

Central and Southern Europe, even at altitude would be punishingly hot in Europe in August IMO.

Scotland - Western Isles.

Ooh thanks Burek, aDad, gingerbear - some nice ideas there. I would never have thought of Bosnia. Better go and do some reseach.

Any other ideas?

Pyrenees
Franche-Comte or the Jura regions of NE France

Picos De Europa in Northern Spain ticks the boxes - on the wild Northern Atlantic coast you have plenty of historical towns and then just an hour inland you ascend the Picos - Fuente De is lovely.

Take the Brittany Ferries route to Santander and book apartment/campsite/hotels through them too!!

all about Asturias and Picos
Happy holidays !!

I agree, the Picos de Europa ticks all your boxes and it won't be too hot at that time of year. The mountains there are higher than any in the UK and only 30 minutes from the coast, so the landscape is very dramatic.

If you don't find anything you like with Brittany Ferries, or you want to fly there (both easyjet and ryanair fly to the area), then you can check out my cottages : \link{http://www.bluegreenspain.com/Blue Green Spain}, although there's not much left to choose from for that week. We have availability from 28 July to 4 August in El Ferre , a lovely house in a quiet location with a shared pool. And also in El Carril , although this is only a one-bedroom apartment with a sofa-bed, so it might not be suitable. It's in a great location within walking distance of 2 or 3 quiet beaches.

If you want more info, you can see my ad in the Small Business ads board . Apologies for the very cheeky plug!

Slovenia

People who are recommending Picos de Europa..... what would the coast in that area be like in August? Both in terms of heat and busy-ness?

Desperately looking for somewhere to go, but restricted to school hols. Have 5- and nearly 3-year olds, so nowhere too hot. But warmer (and drier!) than Cornwall last year! But hate the thought of picking our way through beachloads of sun worshippers, trying to find somewhere for the kids to play.....

Thanks :)

Hi Huevos have a look at my post ..we loved playa de pals at Noja.lovely for lilittle ones.the beach was perfect as lovely big rock pools to learn to swim and catch fish in.A river runnuing to the sea and crabs in the rocks.the water was tropical which is important as they get cold quickly and the Spanish LOVE children....we were lucky as we got very good weather but it can rain as so close to the mountains...we might just o back...sod the drive.

Thanks, mother.... could you please confirm where you went? I've googled noja and can't see a playa de pals, that is showing up as costa brava

Playa brava not costa brava
noja

Sooty in arush doing bedtime...my mistake Playa Joyel.will correct later

Right ..phew all in bed...firstly sorry about the mistake,.As I said Playa Joyel,absolutely lovely.xxxNoja itself is not the most gorgeous of towns but within an easy drive is Santella del mar( I think all for memory now) ....have a peek.

Thank you, will have a look :)

What did you think?

The Azores. Madeira