Where to go in Europe for relaxing/scenic holiday?

[InTheNightBakery]

Due to dc finishing GCSEs this year we can finally go on a holiday in term time and as dc will turn 16 in May we'd like a relaxed-but-fun holiday somewhere in Europe (so not something like crowded beaches or Disney). We haven't been abroad together since dc started school due to the cost so struggling to think of where to go, I used to love Germany, south of France and north Italy but it's been so long I haven't got a clue. Please help!

We're looking to go very early July but aren't tied to specific dates. Somewhere quite cheap would be good, especially the sort of place that would be ££££ if it was school holidays. None of us like heat much so not Spain etc, no hotter than half decent British weather.

Something laid back with gorgeous views - rivers/forests etc would be fab as we all need to unwind but still with things to do, like markets, shops, small museums/castles etc, that sort of thing. I've thought of Germany, Amsterdam, Denmark, Prague, Sweden, Austria, Switzerland and now my head is spinning - any recommendations?

Norway?

Sweden is beautiful. We went there when I was just 5 years old and I still remember the beautiful scenery. It was hands down the best family holiday I ever went on with my parents.

Croatia. It's got the lot!

Slovenia or the Austrian tyrol.

Camargue (south of France). It has salt flat and flamingoes

F as this sounds like what we're after too.

@ChoudeBruxelles we were there when girls were tiny, just before school holidays started to rule our life. They can still remember the flamingoes!

Italy. Tuscany or Italian lakes. Or the Alps in summer.

Norway! Rent a log cabin somewhere and a car and enjoy just driving round to visit amazing mountains, glaciers and lakes. Go for walks, head into the towns for some shopping, picnic, kayaking. Amazing place.

Austria or Norway. Italy or Switzerland are also beautiful.

Corsica. Beautiful scenery, stunning beaches, which weren't too crowed even in the summer hols. Can't recommend enough.

Not expensive rules out Scandinavia and Switzerland, both of which are expensive all year round! Germany or Austria would be a better bet, if you want lakes and mountains, or maybe South Tyrol/Dolmites in Italy? Pyrennees? Slovenia? Lake Bled?

Black Forest in Germany would be my number one choice.

Slovenia is also a good option (and much more affordable).

I'd go for Bavaria. You can fly to Nuremberg quite cheaply or drive it with a stopover in Cologne

Had a fantastic holiday in Sweden a couple of summers ago. Flew to Copenhagen hired a car drove across the bridge and rented a cottage for two weeks then had a couple of nights in Copenhagen.

Wasn’t expensive to eat out or days out. Only got expensive if you had lots of alcohol.

Loved it. Two weeks in August cost us 1200 quid for 4 for all of above + food and spends

Love Germany as well. Done a few centre parcs in Belgium and the Netherlands followed by a few days hotel in Germany.

Croatia all the way. Try Pula.