Suggest a European country/ destination please!

[Howmanysleepsnow]

We always end up in France. Different areas, but still France! I love it (and speak the language vaguely passably, which is one of the reasons we end up here) but fancy a change.
Our criteria are: inexpensive (to compensate for the fact we’ll need 6 airfares rather than our usual channel tunnel ticket); warm (but not much above mid 30s or DH and 1 DS will melt!); friendly people; beautiful/dramatic scenery (ie not just flat arable land); things to do (active/ nature-y rather than formal museums); some history.
Other things that would be bonuses include wildlife, beaches and places to explore.
Can anyone suggest somewhere to look as a starting point please?
We’ve visited Switzerland, Austria, Germany, Venice, Cyprus, Portugal and Holland before… not at all keen on Germany and the bit of Portugal we saw was a bit too tourist-centric. Loved Holland for the people and Cyprus for beaches/ water sports and turtles. Venice was good but as a one off only.

Sorrento though is really hot in August. Speaking as a heat wimp, I couldn’t do it in high summer, certainly not the sort of tramping around that sightseeing involves.

Big vote for Croatia. Down by Split and the islands is incredible but we also loved Istria with Pula and Rovinj for day trips. We flew into Zagreb and drove to Split (reasonably long drive) but meant we spent a few days in Zagreb which we loved and then a week on the coast with the amazing water and scenery.

@Howmanysleepsnow where did you end up going??!