European destination for multi generation family holiday?

[ColonelRhubarbBikini]

For one of my parents big birthdays they’ve suggested we all go on a big family holiday so it’ll be a range of late 60’s, in their 30’s and a teen and some older kids 7-11.

Initially Malta was suggested as parents have been before and loved it but flights are looking a bit complex. Someone suggested Valencia to me as a mix of city/beach but due to some things I’ve read on Google I’m not sure we could string out a week.

Has anyone got any good suggestions for us?

Criteria are -

Europe
Easy flights from Manchester, Birmingham or Heathrow at a push (can’t do Gatwick or Stanstead)
Mix of beach and stuff to do
Not crazy busy (although we’re having to go in August so it’ll be what it’ll be).

Budget?

I'd suggest Italy perhaps, Valencia is a good call or other Spain, depends on your taste - we like a bit of life others would balk at that

Budget is a tricky answer as parents paying for accommodation, probably a villa.

Flights £400 each max I’d say and somewhere where it doesn’t cost a bomb to eat out.

We’ve just come back from Italy with parents and they’ve previously done Sicily but my sibling has never been so that could be a potential destination.

We’re definitely not the sort of people who want to be able to get the Daily Mail and a full English on holiday so no balking but the smaller children will need some form of beige food at times bless em

Hopeful bump??

If you’re going to hire cars, then San Sebastián is lovely. It has lots to do for kids that age and a glorious sandy beach. Bilbao is the nearest airport.

Palma Majorca. Lovely city and close to beaches - could stay on coast. Lovely train trip on old train to soller
Hire a car and explore.

Lagos, Portugal would be my choice from places I've been, to meet your criteria. Maybe too busy though.

Brilliant thank you I’m going to look into all of these, really appreciate it.
@bestbefore its funny you say Majorca as a friend raved about Cala D’or to me today and I’ve started researching.

Alicante is lovely - beautiful city fantastic beach.

Sicily is beautiful but is extremely mentally busy in august and actually quite rubbish beaches. Definitely need your own pool you literally can’t get onto the beaches in august as they are tiny and half of Italy is there. Also the potential for the volcano to mess up flights is an annoying worry.

Funchal, Madeira. It hits all your wants. Cannot tell you what a fab holiday we had there. Absolute hidden gem!

Cala D'or is gorgeous but a long transfer for airport. If you go Mallorca I'd look at Palma. Beautiful city

Valencia was super hot in August when I was there. We loved it but you need to be able to handle the heat. Over 35 degrees every day.

Portugal would be good. It’s a little bit cooler and good value for money. Maybe you could stay near Porto which is gorgeous.

For a villa, Spain is probably a good option, I really like Ibiza but there's so many options. Flights to mainland will be more reasonable though

Paris with Disneyland Paris. They have rides, eating places, golf, a nearby mega city in Paris.

We recently did something similar in Porto with 70-something GPS and two pre-teens and would highly recommend it.

Are their requirements about how hot it can be bearing in mind all the age groups?

I was going to suggest Greece but definitely not in August. Same for Italy.

Croatia?

If you don't mind somewhere hilly, Madeira is lovely.

Faro in Portugal is pretty good.

Thanks everyone this is really helpful. I’m gonna put together a shortlist with pros and cons etc and then everyone can vote I think is the best way about it.

@AnnaMagnani My DM is rooting for Malta and she knows just how hot it can get there so no heat restrictions. The kids are not little little and we’re aiming for a villa with pool so we can chill out and escape the heat when needed to. Where in Greece would be your top pick?

We have done similar in Crete, South of France and the Dordogne. The latter was a bit chilly for the pool.

South of france!! Plus the choice of villas is amazing. Much better quality for what you are paying plus choice of airports
Driving is easy as well
Sounds like you'll have a great time wherever you go