European destination recommendations

[SingingWaffleDoggy]

I have no idea where to go, but know what I want when we get there! We’d like to go abroad next summer as all children will be out of school so more affordable. I have no idea how to narrow down a location when we have so many wishes.
It’ll be me and DH, who like historical sites, traditional towns but touristy enough that we don’t stick out like a sore thumb. 2 x 16 year olds who like water parks and active activities. A 4 year old and a 1 year old.

Must have:
Less than an hour from an airport
Snorkelling for novices with a calm sea
Historical sites/ ruins
Things for the teenagers like water parks or ‘active’ activities
Safe enough that the teens (sensible but not well travelled) can walk to the beach or shops etc without any hassle
Accessible with a pushchair
Lots of choice of affordable restaurants

I wouldn’t rule out a holiday camp (eurocamp?) type set up but am definitely more of a centreparcs/ bluestone/ Hoseasons person than a Butlins/ pontins one, although our usual budget nestles somewhere in the middle! Happy to book Air BnB.

I’m able and willing to book aspects separately but I just don’t know where to start location wise. Holidays I’ve organised in the past have been location focused or for a purpose. Please suggest some destinations before I tear my hair out!

Brioni in Croatia ticks a lot of your boxes www.eurocamp.co.uk/campsites/croatia/ca033-brioni-sunny-camping/ataglance.html

Chania side of Crete is everything you want. Within an hours drive there are the small resorts of Kalyves and Almyrida amongst others.The water is bath water calm and clear (non tidal) which is perfect for your little ones. They run loads of snorkelling trips a couple of kilometres off the coast, some lovely sealife and easy for beginners.
Chania has a nice old town for a day trip, and there is also a water park just outside of it for your big ones.
We love it there.

Paphos?

Good suggestions here thank you. I like the look of Croatia and flights are very reasonable. Crete looks perfect but flight times from our local airport are a bit rubbish for young children. I’ve only ever thought of Paphos as a party destination so have done a bit of research and there’s some good things to see and do so consider me converted! I’ll put it to the family and see what they fancy

Greece - Rhodes would tick all your boxes. You can hire a car cheaply but there are also decent bus routes on the island. We went in 2019 and it was amazing. Rhodes town is unesco world heritage - beautiful place with a great museum of Greek history. Eating out is cheap especially if you stick to the Greek restaurants - eg gyros very affordable and you often get free fruit for dessert. We went self catering.