European sun but not too hot in July

[Pickaholidayformeplease]

Anyone recommend anywhere not too hot in July?

Me and DS (10), DH is working.
Maybe somewhere with a kids club where he can make friends?
Somewhere with day trips/things to see, he loves castles/museums/anything historical
Somewhere with amazing food
Max 5 hour flight

Not even sure where to start tbh. Open to all suggestions!

What’s your budget?

£1000? For everything? Not sure if that's unreasonable. £1500? Would rather it was under 2k max if possible for all accommodation/flights/spends etc. Based on a week I think!

Summer holidays?

board basis?

it certainly won’t be luxury at £1k price point but depending on when and board basis… could get something decent

Bavaria/Munich is amazing although it will be hot. We went last year in June, was around 28-30° but loads to do and see and very child friendly.

Anytime from the 5th July onwards.

Totally flexible on board basis, would rather eat out at various different restaurants for dinner, grab a sandwich for lunch and if we get breakfast that's fine, if not no worries and will eat out for that too.

Yes, I think I will struggle to get anything for £1k. Maybe £2k is more reasonable.

Thanks @Teacakeorcrumpet will have a look!

Dordogne? Don't know about kids' clubs, but it was one our most successful holidays ever with kids, because it's so varied - everything from ancient caves, to historical towns like Rocamadour, to water sports and river swimming. And the food is wonderful of course! It might be very hot, but given that the UK has hit 40 degrees recently, I'm not sure you're safe from that anywhere. Should be cooler than the Med though. We went in August a few years ago, and it was generally high 20s.

Thanks @crtips will have a look. Are the things to see and do accessible by public transport? Would Rocamadour be a good base?

I think Rocamadour itself might be a bit touristy to actually stay in. Maybe Sarlat too, but I should think the rough Sarlat/Domme/Castelnaud triangle is a good general location. No idea about public transport, sorry, we flew to Bergerac and hired a car. NB if you do go, make sure you go to this place, it's beautiful! https://www.marqueyssac.com/?lang=en

What sort of accommodation would you consider? How hot is too hot?
Also am I correct in thinking you would want to use unlicensed transport and not hire a car?

That looks stunning! Gorgeous place.

Self catering apartment/airbnb/apartment complex or a hotel room. Not a guest house/B&B type set up.

Too hot = 30 degrees plus. Can cope with intermittent high twenties.

Yes, I drive but for various reasons would not consider driving abroad so has to be public transport of some sort.

Perfect temp is around 25-27 during the day have had most of our holidays in Northern Europe plus a few in Spain when it was just insanely hot (during a heatwave, far far far too hot for us!)

The Dordogne has very little public transport and is often over 30 degrees in July so I would stay clear!

Kinderhotel, OP? They have them in Italy, Austria, Slovenia and possibly Croatia (places you can ski in winter usually!). They have fantastic stuff for kids to do. Usually in lake and mountain areas so lots of outdoor stuff to do and probably near day trips to cities/castles etc depending on which you choose.

Highly recommend Brittany Atlantic Coast eg Carnac , beautiful place with the cold sea to cool off in temp in July probably no hotter than mid 20's.

Have never heard of a kinderhotel, thanks, will have a look!

That sounds lovely too @Mrsbadger77

I think am being so wishy-washy because I can't decide between a) city break type deal, lots of museums/walking/sightseeing/on the go all day,which is probably more doable, or b) a sun/beach holiday combined with day trips etc, I just worry he would be bored on this type of break as he is definitely not a sit around the beach type kind of child and so thought the option of making pals might help rather than just us two.

I think it's the mix of relaxing and doing stuff that has meant I'm struggling to think of where to go.

You can't beat Eurocamp south of France at that age . 2 flights into nice and then you have the coastal train on hand to go to different places- the camp at st Raphael (esterel) is really nice

Would work out about £1600 including flights on 9th July for a week

www.eurocamp.co.uk/campsites/france/riviera/esterel-campsite

I would say on the Atlantic coast of France as the south can be incredibly hot in July. Or southern Germany - loads of fantastic castles and I think the weather is generally nicer than the UK but not blisteringly hot.

You could have a look at Simply Morzine or Alpine Elements - based in the French alps and with various group activities for kids /adults laid on. More physical activities than historical sightseeing though.

Otherwise, I agree that Atlantic coast of France is a good destination weather wise. It’s generally a few degrees warmer than here, so if we have a heatwave they will too but in general it’s mid to high 20s in July. Can be cloudy/rainy sometimes just like here!

Another option- Italian lakes - cooler due to water/altitude. Bella Italia is a big popular eurocamp option at Lake Garda but there are also smaller family hotels or apartment blocks if that doesn’t appeal. Lots of sightseeing to be done but also lazing by the pool/beach.

French or Austrian Alps is probably perfect climate for you, but not so much history, as @minipie says. I'd say Scandinavia, but I guess too pricey. FWIW we have the same issue as you - summer's too hot! These days we tend to do Europe at Easter or October and UK in the summer. How about Scotland? Beautiful, historical, and can be really reasonable. OK, the food's not quite up to South of France standards, but you can't have everything!

Thanks everyone, lots to look at!

@crtips fab idea but I live in Scotland! Unfortunately way too late to book anything, prices are insane in most places. Which is v annoying as a staycation would be fine!

Atlantic coast of France sounds appealing, assuming can get their easily enough from a London airport.

Lisbon. Fab town to explore, Portugal always has a breeze, eating out dead cheap and you can take the train down to the beach. Perfect combo of city/beach break.

Netherlands? Delft is gorgeous and there is a great site with naice cabins/static caravans.

Lisbon is an excellent shout. Will have a look. That sounds like a great mix of chilling out and exploring.

Have holiday'd loads in the Netherlands and it is v high up the list, we both love it - never been to Delft though! Will have a look at that too.

On your own I'd look at a resort type holiday geared to families, you could get a AI package holiday for about 1.2k then everything is paid for, which means you can use the rest of your budget for day trips/eating out.

Dc can make friends at kids club, it is never lonely and lots of trips etc from resort. All ABTA covered, all stress free. Although lots of Europe will be hot.

https://www.clublasanta.com/

Our kids love it here.

You can self cater and do loads or do nothing - all activities included.

There are some great day trips on the island (volcanos, architecture etc) which run from the resort.

How about Berlin? Easy to get to and well serviced by public transport. Loads of history and cool food markets/ independent food places. Loads of arty stuff going on. Also has lots of beautiful swimming lakes to visit on a hot day.