Where to go mid / late September

[jo9120]

Hi I would welcome suggestions on where to go for a weeks holiday Mid / late September.

It's our first holiday abroad in over 10 years . It's our first without our children .
Life has been difficult for many years as several of our children have additional needs .

I'm struggling as I just don't know what we'd enjoy . Life has just revolved around the children.

We do enjoy nice food . Nothing too busy . We don't particularly drink alcohol but may indulge in a glass on holiday .
We like a bit of sightseeing although want yo relax too.

Thanks

September is such a lovely time to go away! It’s still warm many places but also much quieter than summer, which it sounds like would fit you well.

It sounds like somewhere with a mix of things to do would suit you well, as well as good choice of restaurants / cafes etc for food.

Would prefer to be by a beach / coastal?

Yes I'd like somewhere coastal or with a lake .

Would you want to hire a car for sightseeing or be somewhere you could get around by walking or using public transport?

How warm would you like to be?

Where do you want to travel from?

Any ideas for budget?

Some initial ideas:

Greek Islands - Corfu, Crete, Kefalonia, Rhodes
Balearic Islands - Majorca, Menorca
Southern Spain
Italian Lakes - Lake Garda, Lake Como, Lake Maggiore
Sicily
Sardinia

How about Valencia or Seville? A city break so you have lots to do.

Rhodes town? Plenty to see around the area, beaches, fab food.

Algarve. Around Lagos.

I second the Italian lakes. The one I know is Garda. Stayed in Riva del Garda and took the lake boats to different places like Limone, Malcesine, Sirmione. Took a day trip to Verona, and another to Venice (organised by hotel, luxury coach). Lake Garda is an absolutely charming spot. You could omit Verona or Venice or just stay around the lakes. You could also stay somewhere other than Riva. here is a link to the boat options around the lake.

Just a suggestion.

Navigazione Laghi - Lago Maggiore | Lago di Garda | Lago di Como

As a previous poster has suggested- first place that popped to mind was Lake Garda.

I think lots of places will fit your bill, so if I were you, I'd see where was more reasonable to fly to from your local airport and then work your options out from there.

https://www.hlapalma.it/en/sky-bar/ Lake Maggiore. Or Cinque Terre / Liguria https://hotelvisavis.com/en/sestri-levante-restaurant/zeus-sky-bar-bridge/
Or South of France - Nice/Antibes/Juan les Pins.

Or Sicily!

I visited Menaggio on Lake Como last year and I think this could meet your requirements. The scenery was absolutely stunning, and there is as much or as little to do as you prefer.

I visited some other towns around the lake (Bellagio & Varenna), took a trip on the Bernina Express train to St Moritz, and spent a few hours visiting Villa Balbianello.

I also hired a small boat & spent some time out on the lake itself.

I had some nice meals (nothing spectacular) and had a few drinks in the evening. Most bars closed around 9-10pm.

Thanks all .
Looking at Lake Garda now .
Any suggestions on hotels ? Locations ?
Don't want anything too big .
Thanks again

Desenzano del Garda is really nice. Easy to get boats around southern end of the lake and there is a station to get to Verona/Venice etc. https://hotelvittorio.it/en/ We stayed here a couple of years ago. Close to town/boat dock and lovely view over the lake.

Have a look at towns around the lake. Riva del Garda is the biggest, but it's not huge either. Sirmione is out on a peninsula and is charming, See street view on google maps and see which appeals to you. Try all the lakeside towns.

I stayed in the Grand hotel Liberty in Riva and it was perfectly located, good rooms, and the food was very good. Used mostly as a base to get around the lake, but I remember there being a terrace/garden area and two pools, steam and sauna etc. There are plenty of other hotels in the area too.

Lake Bled is stunning.

Great suggestion!

We’re going to Antibes around the same time. I wasn’t sure what I wanted either but I like that the train line along the coast means we can easily visit Cannes or Nice or Monte Carlo if we fancy it. Equally Antibes looks as if there’s enough to do if we just want to stay there sipping Campari sodas and looking at the sea.
I got cheap flights into Nice and booked an apartment in the old town. I’m looking forward to wandering down to the market in. The morning and buying fresh baguettes and all the cheeses. Strolling to Juan les Pins for change and visiting the Picasso museum.

Can you tell I’m a bit excited! We went away with the family to an all inclusive luxury hotel in June and it was ok, but this is much more my thing.

@Twoscotcheggsandajarofmarmite its a really nice place and I loved the Picasso museum there. Enjoy!

@Fofftwenty21 Thank you 😊

Love Antibes and Juan Les Pins. Can recommend the beach side restaurant at the Hotel Belles Rives for a nice lunch. It was once the villa rented by F. Scott Fitzgerald.