Where to go for a week in July?

[Jellyfishsandwiches]

Hi all,
I don't usually travel in the summer, no kids so tend to avoid the higher prices and hot weather! But BF has a week off in July, and we'd like to go away somewhere. As it's only a week I'm thinking Europe, but I don't want anywhere too lively, I'm more interested in a good night's sleep than partying. Something to do, boat trips, history, that sort of thing would be great.
A quick search us bringing up Madeira, Gran Canaria, Croatia, some Greek islands as reasonably priced.
Any suggestions? Thanks for your help :)

Both Crete and Corfu would be ideal. I especially love crete, it's beatuiful, full of cultural/historical sites, pretty harbours and there are boat trips if you fancy them. Croatia sounds amazing and looks fantastic too though.

Austria ? Bit of walking, day trip to Salzburg that sort of thing . Or likewise in French Alps.

Neapolitan Riviera or Amalfi coast

If you don't like hot weather OP, don't go for Greece or Italy or Croatia in July - all of which are likely to be very hot indeed.

If you like boat trips, history, etc, what about Belgium? If you stay in/near Bruges you can hit World War I battlefields, Ypres (inc. the In Flanders Fields Museum), and Bruges has charm, a lovely boat trip, good restaurants and it shouldn't be too hot, even in July.

If you want to fly off somewhere, then Madeira wouldn't be too hot, but AFAIK it's not particularly historic. It's a nice place for walking and eating and chilling out and it's got a slow pace of life.

Normandy? D-day beaches, lots of lovely little towns. France, the July weeks ahead of Bastille Day are usually quieter. Or maybe hotter but a boat trip through the Camargue www.leboat.com/boating-vacations/france/camargue. Easy done for 2 people as there is only 1 lock on that stretch.

2nd the suggestion of Belgium. Antwerp, Bruges, Ghent, Ypres are all worth a visit. Trains are cheap - and if you base yourself in Ghent maybe (cheaper than Bruges) it's very easy to get about.

Italy will be quite hot that time of year but otherwise I think would be perfect! Switzerland might be nice for boat trips on the lakes, scenic railways there is some history and culture and can get cheap flights out there and shouldn't be extremely hot, but booking some activities can sometimes be pricey. I went in early spring and loved it.
I haven't been myself but maybe Budapest in Hungary?

If you want peace, quiet, great food, decent weather, and fairly inexpensive, then lanzarote is perfect. Small Villas are very cheap to rent even with a small pool. The restaurants in the harbour at Puerto del Carmen are fabulous with excellent food. The main town of arrecife has a lot of history and is an interesting place to explore.

Northern Spain, specifically Basque Country or Asturias. Beautiful, less crowded than the end, good food esp if you’re into seafood. Lots of history eg in Oviedo , medieval churches, national parks, lovely coastline.

“Than the Med”.