Snow me under with suggestions in the Med!

[questionsneverstop]

Hi,

I am starting to plan our summer holiday. Last year we stayed in the UK but I need to go back to the Med.
It's me, my husband and one 12 yo boy and one 10 yo boy.
We don't do all inclusive, we like being on the beach, the boys would like a hotel with slides but I absolutely need a nice place where we can go to visit and enjoy the country's food, people, language, traditions etc.
Any suggestion?
TIA

Cadiz as its proper Spain and not really a big tourist destination.
Cala Millor in Majorca?

You could stay near Barcelona and take a trip to the Port Aventura theme park and water park one day? Your boys would love it!

What about Turkey?

Funf, we have been to sa come, next to cala millor!
Caramel, thank you. i will check it out.
Sootica....mmmmm....dont know...Turkey is a bit of an unstable country. I would prefer to stay in the EU (literally hahah)

Almyrida in Crete?

We have stayed here a few times and wouldn't mind going back. The beach is great, swimming in the sea is lovely, lots of watersports available, lots of trips and activities available. We've hired a car so we can travel around to explore. We have walked the Samaria Gorge, visited the glass blowing studio, gone on a day trip to Santorini, visited Rethimno, visited waterparks, motorboat trip out to do snorkelling. Lots of restaurants along the beach.

We prefer to see something of a country rather than just sit in an AI hotel, so I get where you're coming from.

Following this with interest. Trying to plan our summer break. Kids (8, 11, 14) are happy with just a pool and ice-cream bar, but I get restless. We’ve been going to Southern Spain, they want to go back, I am reluctant! I thought a compromise would be a week by the pool in Spain, and a week somewhere else?

I went on a Spanish cruise last summer so visited many places. I thought Malaga was unexpectedly lovely.

The Turkish resorts aren't unstable and it's great value for money at the moment, much better than most EU countries.

It is a beautiful country and the people are very friendly. We go nearly every year.

The Greek island are lovely too.