Holiday advice needed !

[LoverOfSushi]

My parents have asked me and my boyfriend to join them on a holiday later in the year. This is lovely, however we are on completely opposite ends of the spectrum regarding what a "perfect" holiday would involve.

My parents love the sun holidays where you do nothing but lie by the pool/beach and eat good food (think Gran Canaria/ Tenerife - that kind of vibe).
Myself and my boyfriend (both 25) much prefer an active holiday... we also like the sun, but definitely want to get up to some activities on holiday rather than chill next to a pool for 7 days straight (walking/hiking, watersports, tours... whatever really!)

Both parties are also on wildly different budgets... Parents are happy to spend around £2k each on a 5-7 day holiday whereas me and boyfriend can't afford to spend that kind of money on such a short trip. Parents have been told this, and they're completely fine with them staying in their usual kind of bougee hotel with big pool, while me and boyfriend find somewhere cheaper nearby.

SO I need suggestions of holiday destinations that would accommodate for:

• hot place, not too far away (no more than 4 hour flight from UK)
• next to the beach
• plenty of outdoor activities to do
• a place that would allow for the typical 5* hotel, but also offers a budget option.....

Realise I'm asking a lot but I'm hoping the wisdom of MN can help me here!

I’d be looking at the Greek Islands - Crete, Corfu and Kefalonia all have a good mix of beach and outdoor activities in my experience.

In Corfu, have a look at Dassia (Ikos Dassia sounds right up your parents street), Limni, Benitses

Crete - Chania, Agios Nikolaos, Rethymnon, Sitia

Kefalonia - Skala, Fiskardo, Lixouri, Sami

Agree with Greece. Has a bit of everything for everyone at varied prices.

Honestly I wouldn’t go when the budgets and expectations are so wildly different that you wouldn’t stay in the same place or do the same activities. What’s the point? It’d be one thing if they were generously treating you, then I’d go along with whatever they wanted, but if you’re paying your own way then I wouldn’t let my choice be influenced by my parents staying up the road. Just do separate holidays doing what each of you enjoy. Maybe I’m missing something though?!

Thank you @cherryassam and @mobear , will have a look at Greece!

@FlounderingFruitcake I agree trying to make this work is a bit of a headache - it's just that the parents are very keen to make it happen. We would spend some days with them at the pool obviously, I just can't think of much worse than spending the entire time on a lounger (which my parents have no issue with!) about 50% activity 50% chill works well for us. We'd spend evenings with them going for food, and I'm sure they'd also want to do one or two excursions/activities with us so it wouldn't be 2 completely separate holidays :)

@cherryassam oh my goodness Ikos Dassia looks amazing immediately forwards to parents

We would spend some days with them at the pool obviously
Would that be allowed? If anyone could rock up to ikos to chill at the pool even if not staying there wouldn’t loads of people do it because it sounds like a great holiday hack to save money 🤣

I agree with @FlounderingFruitcake, the high end resorts won’t let you do that. Maybe you can rent a holiday home together?

Hire 2 sun loungers for them in Ibiza..
Job done!!
😎

@FlounderingFruitcake @mobear I've done it before with high end resorts... they've always been more than happy to let me spend the odd day next to the pool (I always make a point to buy plenty of drinks and food so they don't think I'm just taking the mick). We can also go to a beach together if they're not ok with it

@FlounderingFruitcake ^^I need to stress that this is the resort that my parents are staying at, I don't just rock up to a random hotel😂

Most hotels do try to stop outsiders coming in - where we stayed in Ibiza recently you had to show your wristband.

The place I stayed in last year could work for you though, had two sections, the normal mass market 4 star which we paid £550 ai for and a luxury private section more than double that which had enhanced drinks etc. brilliant hiking straight out of the doors, public bus route, on the beach, etc etc but you can just stay there

@gogohmm ah that sounds great too! What was the name of the hotel? :)

I would go on a cruise. They can be as active or lazy as you choose. You can still get together for dinner / drinks / show in the evening and compare your days!
They could book a balcony cabin (or better) whilst you have the budget option (inside / outside or a guarantee might be good where you pay less but don't know the location of the cabin until closer to the time).

Being the parent in this scenario - we would rent a villa or apartment in a nice small block with pool which we would pay for . We have a mix of days where we spend time together or do our own thing - including eating out - some days a budget place for all 4 of us and sometimes DH and I will go somewhere a bit nicer just the two of us .

Haha obviously not but a lot of resorts have a no day guests policy even if you know someone staying there and might check wristbands so you definitely want to check in advance that it’s possible to do that!

Although there are some club med resorts that are 4 star but have 5 star mini resorts within them, and there are loads of activities to do. It could suit so long as you avoid school holidays as they attract a lot of kids then because of the childcare offering.