Big overseas holiday....nothern hemisphere...help/suggestions please

[RumerGodden]

Hello there!

Signing in from your southern colony in Australia.
Planning a bit overseas trip next year while kids are in that golden age bracket (8-11 - pre teen, can wipe own bum, still sweet!) before eldest hits highschool and we are not allowed to take any time off school.

We're planning 4-5 weeks in europe and ideally would like 3-4 different experiences, preferably some (self guided) walking holidays.

We're planning may/june or september, so either side of summer really.

Current (moveable) thoughts include.....8-10 days walking along Lycian way in Turkey. Then 8-10 days in Croatia exploring coast (based in Split? Ferry trips and day trips for walking/swimming? Vs time on a boat?). Then maybe a week on a Greek island, where we can stay put but swim/walk/explore as inclined.
Finally ending up in either France (few days in Paris, Versailles etc) or London (both familiar territory, think the kids would enjoy etc).

To throw a spanner in the works, wondering about a week's walking somewhere like Cornwall? But no idea where..

Selfishly, I am keen on turkey/greece etc as I love to walk and also studied ancient history at uni and keen to see some of the history in the flesh...but the kids are savages so they aren't going to care.

any suggestions/pros/cons most welcomed! I know it's pretty broad, but figured for UK families, some of these places are short haul breaks, not long haul, so might be a bit more experience that could weigh in.

Both kids pretty hardy, good walkers *(both scouts etc) but one is a fussy eater, but I am already resigned to him living on bread, apples banana and chicken wherever we are so no probs.

thanks for any suggestions!

If you like history then definitely go to Crete. I’ve been to loads of the Greek Islands but found Crete had the most in terms of historical sites to explore. Beautiful island too.
Definitely go to Croatia too as it’s gorgeous!
I’d personally prefer London over Paris as there’s more to do if you have never been before.
As for Cornwall - definitely check out the Minack Theatre (carved into the side of a cliff overlooking the sea. There are some amazing walks round there too). And also take a trip to Marazion to look at St Michaels Mount

edinburgh?
French alps or pyrenees would be beautiful at that time of year

Sounds amazing! If you are interested in ancient history, how about Orkney for your Britain bit? Skara Brae etc? You could also do Go for Britanny in France, lots of history, menhirs, churches with strange stone carving, crepes to eat.. have you heard of Asterix books? May be a good ‘in’ to history for your children! Definitely do Greece, why on earth not? Very jealous!

I've never been to Greece at all. V keen on turkey as it has so many cultures troop through so to speak.

Familiar with both London and Paris, prefer paris but friends in london so either would be great. Want something easy at end of trip.

Ideally would love to great - UK - railway around (have taped all the episodes) but limited patience from husband on that front! Family in Edinburgh so have visited before (now deceased) as they were castle caretakers so have had some time there and really looking for somewhere new.

Also spoilt by weather and beach quality here in oz - have had lots of australian friends return v disappointed by quality of swimming on greek islands. and of course, unhelpfully carrying a romantic ideal ala my family and other animals so not v helpful in terms of reality...really want the jackpot for a greek island, good beaches, not too touristy, easy to get around...

Branleuse, I like the pyrenees too, need to find some not too tough walking - think the kids would cope with 10-15km a day but not too much more.....going to research 4-5 options and pick 3 i think...

Think I love holiday planning almost more than holiday itself!

Would quite like to end up in france as I am a glutton too ...

Frosty, thanks for Crete recommendation. Bit hard to tell from this end of the world...hear lots of different things - Crete, Corfu, Rhodes etc....

Crete was the most interesting historically and the best for walking, Kefalonia was the most beautiful, Paxos was the most peaceful. Corfu and Rhodes are nice but both quite touristy IMO

A friend of mine did this self-guided walking tour in Italy with her young family. It includes Rome and Pompeii. She said that the whole family loved it (especially the pizza making, cheese tasting, gelato tasting, hydro foil trip and Mt Vesuvius). www.sherpaexpeditions.com/Guided-Walking/Italy/Rome-and-the-Amalfi-Coast-on-Foot

Colleague has just returned from a tour of Moscow/St Petersburgh/possibly other bits of Russia and his Facebook posts made it look like they were having a fabulous time and it was all very interesting.

Andalucia, Spain would be good for the walks and interesting cultural stuff of Granada, Seville, Ronda, Malaga, Jerez cities.

What about N Wales- Snowdonia/Anglesey ....loads to do here for families....( Zip line, bounce below, bike trails , ropeworks etc)
Snowdonia is fairly compact with some amazing scenery( lakes, beaches, mountains) and great walking for all levels as well as loads of history/Castles
Only 3hrs 20 direct train from London

South West Coastal path - Somerset / Devon / Cornwall coastline. Something like 630 miles in total.

Cinque Terre in Italy looks amazing for walking. 5 fishing villages connected by coastal paths. I like the sound of the 'Sanctuaty walks' as there are sanctuaries above each town.

Was also going to suggest amalfi coast and Vesuvius/ Pompeii/ Herculeum.

From northern italy you could go to Istria in Croatia. Its a lovely area. Rovinj is beautiful as are inland towns. Also in Croatia are the Plitivice lakes which are beautiful and different from my other suggestions. Further down Croatia i love Split.

Have you considered any of the Baltic States? I have just come back from Riga and it was fabulous. Beautiful architecture and geography, interesting history, good food! We went there after discovering Poland last year. We did Warsaw, Gdansk and krakow - prior to that year before was Berlin and Frankfurt. All extremely good for ( obviously) WW1 and 2 history.

I always have a Med holiday each year - Never underestimate us in north east Scotland who need it! Corfu is my retirement dream but mainland Spain round Valencia is great.

And finally - my home country.... the NC500 - the route from inverness then down west coast of Scotland - tis just the best!

If you like history then I would say Rome for a few days followed by Naples to do Pompeii and herculanium.