European holiday with a mix of historical sites and villa with pool

[Monr0e]

Help please! I am thinking ahead to next year, dc's will be almost 17 and 13.

The 13 year old wants a villa with a pool, the 17 year old wants to go exploring, ideally some ancient historical sites.

I thought possibly Greece or Turkey? But if I'm honest I have no idea. We would ideally like somewhere we can book a villa but close enough to some historical sites so we can explore the country also.

Thanks for any tips 🙂

Have a look at Sicily. The history is really interesting because of it's location, food is fabulous and I'm sure you will be able to sort a villa.

Oooh, thank you
I would never have thought of Sicily. Any areas or sites in particular?

I would say Italy too. We've stayed in the Florence area before and it was lovely!

Italy definitely. Lake Garda area is gorgeous and you can easily visit Venice and Verona from there. Also love Florence area.

My initial thought was Cyprus. Interesting history, and plenty of beaches, water parks and watersports.

Added bonus they drive on the correct side of the road

We loved Crete - Knossos is amazing and I'm sure there are lots more historic places we didn't get to.

Lots of nice villas with pools and places to explore in Italy - maybe around Siena or Assisi.

Amalfi coast! Naples/Pompeii/Herculaneum but also Positano/Sorrento

Syracuse has an incredible Greek site with a really well preserved amphitheatre which looks out over the sea. The old part of the city is chock full of character.

Ragusa is a hill town. I haven't been there but my brother raves about it.

We were about to go to Palermo when Covid hit

I was going to suggest Cyprus too. Some lovely villas, great historical sites including tomb of the kings.
The food is fabulous too.

Saw a t.v. Programme last night , they based themselves in Split in Croatia and it looked fab. Beaches , lots of Roman history , ancient Jewish quarters etc. Looked like you could find lots to occupy yourself.

Italy is great for this. We booked a villa near Rome with public transport fairly nearby. We were able to relax at the villa but also caught the bus/ train into Rome and out to Ostia.

I was also going to suggest Cyprus or Croatia.

Amazing ideas, thank you so much everyone

That's my evening sorted 🙂

@TheIsaacs would you mind sharing where you stayed? Thank you

Malta! Valletta has the most incredible history, there is so much to see, and the weather is incredible.

Sicily, Montenegro