Short break destination that is not a city

[Givemestrengthorgin]

Looking to get a 3 night break away with my mum in a European destination that isn't a big, busy city but still has a good atmosphere and scenic views. I was thinking Chamonix but it's a bit harder to get to. Ideally we don't want to hire a car. Google just shows me the top city breaks. Any recommendations? Thanks

Nerja? Its a beautiful Spanish town on the coast but from there you can bus it to Frigliana which is gorgeous. I fly into Malaga walk out of arrivals and on the train to the bus station. A bus up to Nerja and Bobs your uncle.

Nerja caves are brilliant too.

I'm currently in Funchal, Madeira. It's fantastic. Lots to do and see and less than 4 hours from UK. It's very hilly / mountainous, but the cable cars from Funchal, and the bus tours mean that you can see / experience a lot with limited mobility.

If you’re prepared to take a train there are lots of places in Switzerland that would fit the bill, eg Engelberg. Including flight it’s probably half a day travelling each way - but the train is pretty so like part of the holiday

Cascais is my favourite quick break. Fly to Lisbon and it’s a short hop on the train - or a more expensive (but not ££££) 30 minute taxi transfer.

Wonderful restaurants, tranquil beaches, people watching opportunities and plenty of cultural activities. Lisbon on your doorstep if you fancy a few hours of something livelier. Gorgeous year round and we highly recommend!

Channel islands?
Scilly isles?

Lucerne is pretty and easy to get to. Not cheap though.

The Ardennes would be scenic and different. Dinant and Namur are easy to get to by train.

Cavtat near Dubrovnik

Two harbours, quiet by the sea, easy boat ride or bus from Dubrovnik, around 30 mins

Bergamo would be a fab short break, it's airport is one of Milan's outlying airports, so you may well get a direct flight there. There is a lower modern town, ignore that, and stay in the medieval upper town which is stunningly beautiful.
There are a couple of family run traditional restaurants with wonderful food.

Or another idea is to stay on Lake Como, though not in Como itself. The lake ferry service is excellent and you could visit a different lake side destination each day. The scenery and the food are wonderful.

Nerja for me

Lake Garda, lots of places by the lake, including Garda town itself. Beautiful scenery, lots to see and do. Flight to Verona then get the bus. Verona is a lovely place to look around as well.

Merano in South Tyrol - Inghams do a package flying to Verona including hassle-free transfers, or you could find your own flight to Bolzano and get the train from there. Public transport is brilliant to explore the area, fab scenery, Merano is a city but a small attractive one, loads to see in the area. It's technically Italy but culturally like Austria with a bit of Italian flavour.

I am so jealous of you BinkySodPlop. We have been to Madeira twice now, and enjoyed the second visit even more than the first.

We went to Madeira in May, and had a fantastic time. I just love the place. We stayed in the old town this time, within easy walking distance of the sea and the cable car, and near loads of brilliant restaurants.

If you are there for a few more days I highly recommend the whale watching boat trips.

Valletta in Malta!!

@Givemestrengthorgin Annecy in France? Fly to Geneva then travel about 30 miles south. Completely ravishing area. Beautiful French town, sparkling green lake, surrounded by Alps. No car needed. You could have a day trip to Chamonix too?

We had a fabulous break at Lake Lucerne many years ago. Stunning scenery, loads of things to do including a cog railway up the mountain. Took the train straight from Zurich airport, would be very expensive these days is the downside.

Avignon is nice, Eurostar goes there

Also thinking Eurostar, in this case to Brussels, then take the train to Knokke Heist on the Begian coast. The coastal tram runs from there to De Panne giving you lots of coastal villages and dunes to explore. Inland is Aalst, a jenever town, and you're also not far from Ghent if you want a city day.

And I'd second Avignon. Or Arles, which isn't much further away.

Channel Islands?

Jersey for big and lots on, Guernsey for quieter, the others for even quieter still.

I was going to suggest Lucerne, too.

Isle of Man

Fly or go on the ferry either as foot passengers, or take your own car - they do a short break offer.

Stay in Douglas, there's a museum and various other things of interest.

You can get steam trains, horse drawn trams and go up the mountain on the train - on a clear day you can see England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales from the top.

Castle Town and Port Erin and St Mary in the South and Peel with its Castle on the west coast all nice for a wander round.

@BitchyArriver
I'd love to hear more about Valletta. Currently considering it for an August holiday. Just DH and me. Thanks

Carcassone
Jerez

whitebowls Valletta was fab! We got really cheap flights with Ryanair and stayed in a spacious 1 bed apartment overlooking the grand harbour for 100€ per night.

The city is beautiful and has no modern buildings. You can walk from one side to the other in 10 minutes. There is loads and loads of historical stuff to see. Plus you can take day tours for boats and beaches. The restaurants are great and the atomosphere is fab at night once the cruise ship leaves and the streets are full of young people drinking cocktails sitting on the steps of the streets. I would highly recommend it! Let me know if you have any questions.

Thanks everyone. Will sit down with my mum and run through these places to come up with a shortlist!