Where do I find a low key holiday? Does it exist?

[LynetteScavo]

When I Google I get the big holiday companies.

It's for DH, myself and 16yo DD. We want to go away during the summer holidays and stay in Europe. I want somewhere warm, with an outdoor pool, it doesn't have to be near the sea. We don't want to drive when we get there, so a taxi ride distance/transfer from the airport. Teen DD is a fussy eater which makes restaurant eating a pain- she'll order something then not eat it which annoys DH - I don't need this daily on holiday, so a self catering apartment or all inclusive would work.

DH doesn't like lying in the sun- so there has to be something for him to do- he likes looking at museums and exploring by bike. I really don't want evening entertainment etc.

I don't have an exact budget, and would like to pay as little as possible but happy to pay if something is good value.

Where do I even look for such a holiday?

Most of Europe has places that will suit. Look for a city with a historic centre and a nice climate (Granada? Nantes? Funchal? Depends on how much sun etc you want), and maybe look for an Airbnb.

Air bnb or booking.com. You won't get a package I don't think. Just book accommodation and flights separately. But get insurance first! And identify a suitable city. There's lots that would fit the bill - Milan, Rome, Valencia, Barcelona, Madrid, Lisbon

Look at BA holidays with flight and hotel ticked plus pool on the filters. They often come up with city or town based suggestions including villas and hotels that are room only.

Book flights then find accommodation through Air B&B or Vrbo. Or French gite holiday? Dead easy to book this type of holiday. Just decide where you fancy then book travel and accommodation.

Look at villas near Florence. I used to use AirBnB all the time but you might get a better deal with a local company. I once found one with a pool, in the countryside but walking distance to the city along a country lane. Lots of walks around there. Lots of culture if your DH wants. Simple food - pasta and pizzas and salads and grilled meat.

Lake Garda, especially Desenzano Del Garda would be perfect! We went years ago. You can get the ferry to different resorts around the lake for sightseeing, and both Venice and Verona are accessible on day trips.

In the evenings it’s promenading with gelato and pavement cafes. Pizza and pasta galore for the fussy eater. Very Italian resort, you don’t get very many Brits there.

I think somewhere in Croatia would suit you, you can fly direct to Split or Dubrovnik. Then a villa with pool, or a villa with a shared pool not too far from the center. Plenty of culture if you are close to the town center. Also lots of opportunities for hiking, swimming or cycling.

City Break in a hotel in Barcelona (or similar) with a rooftop pool may suit?

They do all inclusive at the Mitsis Grand in Rhodes town - and your husband can do Rhodes and probably get a day trip to the acropolis etc .

I booked this for 2020, www.campingjonio.com/en/

Thanks for the great suggestions- I think Barcelona with a rooftop pool would suit DH and DD perfectly, and absolutely no need for a car.

www.basapartments.com/catedral-bas-aparments-barcelona-t-3-en We stayed here for a weekend - lovely apartments in a quiet street near Las Ramblas and Placa Catalunya. Plunge pool on the roof.

A Villa is an obvious choice. Near to interesting things to see and visit but totally private, do your own thing on your own timetable. VRBO is a good website - you can search by budget

Agree you should just book flights and accommodation separately. We always do! It will be slightly tricky to find the perfect spot - self catering with a nice outdoor pool tends to mean out in the countryside; but if you want to be able to visit sights and not drive that means town/city.

I'd go for a small-ish town with lots of cultural interest. Italy would be a good start. But not the obvious big cities like Rome or Florence - too busy. Somewhere like Siena, Cortona, Orvieto,. Or somewhere in Sicily.

Or can I put in a plug for possibly my favourite European city, Ljubljana.

Plenty of options on Spain and Portugal too. You might want to at least pick a country that appeals!

I'm worrying that Barcelona won't be relaxing enough for me - the BA website is great for ideas. The trouble is I've no idea where I want to go! And I definitely don't want to drive, so thinking that rules out lake Garda as there is so much I'd want to see!.

One of my friends goes to Garda every year with her elderly parents and they never drive. There are ferries across the lake and you get the train to Verona or Venice if you fancy further afield. We’re going for the first time this Summer driving but don’t plan to drive much when we get there.

Have a look at Malaga. Lovely ancient city, Picasso’s birthplace, port and beach. Trains to other local places.

What about Chania, Crete. Much smaller than somewhere like Barcelona but it has historical buildings, museums, qaint old town, pretty harbour.

Either a self catering apartment or a low key All Inclusive. There is a bus from the Airport to town if you do self catering. Small All inclusive (we are staying in one of these). There is bit of entertainment but there are quiet pools too, where you can just relax.

Malta, heat, pools, history, small enough to get around by bus, English speakers and a variety of food.

look away for the typical UK tourist destinations, Mainland spain is nice cadiz is a nice place to have a good value holiday
www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Tourism-g187432-Cadiz_Costa_de_la_Luz_Andalucia-Vacations.html