Summer Holiday Suggestions?

[CoralClouds]

Hi all! I’ve been looking at summer holiday options for this year and feeling a bit overwhelmed with choice, so thought I’d appeal to the collective Mumsnet wisdom as I’ve discovered some excellent recommendations on here before.

DP and I (both mid-20s, if it matters, no kids) are looking for a summer break, probably for July or August. Our last couple of trips have been quite sightseeing/walking-heavy city breaks, so this time we’re looking for something more relaxing with sunshine, a pool and preferably a beach/bit of luxury/spa option!

Budget would be around £2000 - £2500 for a week’s accommodation, and ideally not looking to fly further than 5 hours out of London, although potentially willing to go further for the right place.

Neither DP nor I can drive, and we also don’t drink. This has been a bit of a question mark when looking at locations as plenty of popular, well-connected places are understandably popular destinations for party holidays, whereas many of the quieter, more “luxury” options seem pretty secluded and possibly hard to get to with public transport. Without wanting to sound precious, we wouldn’t feel comfortable staying in a resort/area that caters heavily to rowdy holidays as that’s really not what we’re looking for, but it would also be nice to find somewhere with some activity options in the local area so we’re not completely in the middle of nowhere for the full week!

Does anyone have any recommendations that might fit what we’re looking for, or am I asking for too much?

Have you considered Menorca? It's known for being a quiet island so doesn't attract party goers and there are plenty of hotels that can sit the spa / more luxury bill.

This is an example

https://www.tui.co.uk/destinations/bookaccommodation?productCode=013931&tab=overview&noOfAdults=2&noOfChildren=0&childrenAge=&duration=7&flexibleDays=7&airports%5B%5D=STN&flexibility=true&noOfSeniors=0&when=22-07-2024&pkg=1148956323/3/568/7&trao=4356491055/4976094&traa_i=4356491118/4976095&units%5B%5D=000127:DESTINATION&packageId=013931ESMN009417216064000001721606400000TOM510617222112000001722211200000TOM5107DD021148956323/3/568/7&index=11&multiSelect=true&brandType=T&bb=BB&room=&isVilla=false&searchType=search&durationCode=7115&rmpc=1%7C2%7C0%7C0%7C0%7C&rmtp=DD02&rmbb=BB&fc=n&greatDealDiscount=0&bb=BB&price=pp

I'd book this place for a week bed and breakfast at start of July:

https://www.jet2holidays.com/turkey/dalaman-area/kalkan/rhapsody-hotel-and-spa#tab-overview

I’d go on a cruise if I had no kids. Best holiday I’ve ever had. I went with celebrity. You can get off the boat if you want and see lots of places

Have a look at Polidor Premium Camping in Croatia. It’s very close to Porec (accessible by public transport from Pula). The premium accommodation should be within your budget and it’s really nice. There’s an a restaurant and spa on site.

As a non-driver I’d suggest Alghero in Sardinia.

Or this place in Slovenia https://hotelbohinj.si/en/

The Amalfi coast. I don’t think budget will allow but Capri if you can stretch to it!

July and August are school holidays so places will be busier and flights and hotels more expensive. Any chance you can go in June or Sep? Your money will go further. If it must be Jul/Aug then aim for first week of July or last week of Aug.

For hotel options I would have a look at the websites i-escape and Mr & Mrs Smith - these specialise in smaller boutiquey places and you can filter by location ie beach, town etc and I reckon they would avoid listing anywhere in a “party” resort.

In your shoes I’d look for a boutique hotel near the beach on a Greek island - especially if you don’t mind doing flight & ferry as then you can access the quieter islands. Or maybe in Italy (Sicily/Sardinia) or Croatia.

I don't know if your dates are fixed OP, but you'll get a lot more for your money - and a lot less DCs - if you can wait until start of September when English schools go back. I find weather is usually perfect most places in September as well as we find it too hot in July/August.

We're back from Madeira and that might work for you. We stayed in a luxury apart hotel in the centre which was lovely but no spa although there was a small roof top pool. Lots of lovely food options and if you did want to do some walking it's much easier to pay to join one of the trips - which aren't expensive- rather than trying to do it yourself and hiring a car.

Croatia or Rhodes are really great Id highly recommend.

@CoralClouds

The luxury of no DC is not going in July and August at higher prices! If you can wait until Sept you will get far better value for money. You will still get the holiday you want but maybe in a better hotel?

As for locations, my DD enjoyed Croatia . I cannot remember the hotel name but you can also island hop. Ditto in Greece. DD also has been to Corfu and Puglia with friends. Puglia not really a beach area but great pool in Villa!

I'm not sure you should do a cruise in your 20s. I think exploring a bit is more fun. I also like Sardinia and friends loved Corsica. There are some beautiful hotels in Majorca and in the Nice area too. Rent a car to see the amazing villages above Nice. It's fantastic.

You could also consider Bordeaux. Beaches nearby and decent hotels.

Puerto Pollensa or Puerto Soller in Majorca. Beautiful surroundings, no party scene, and you can get around by ordinary bus. As PP have said, though, if you can avoid July/August you will get better value. The last week of September is the sweet spot for Majorca.

I would book here in Majorca OP- resort is up market and couples/villas, lots of yachts- beautiful beach just 2 miles away at camp de mar or Sant Elm in opposite direction with lots of restaurants on the beach - just get cheap cabs - we did!!

Book flights separately - hotel is £1380 for 7 nights July 18th - flights will add about £550

https://www.booking.com/applink/hotel/es/monport.en-gb.html?aid=898224&appp_hotelid=90733&checkin=2024-07-18&checkout=2024-07-25&frommsn=ios&groupadults=2&grouppchildren=0&label=hoteldetails-0Ckx5Bn%401715783026&noorooms=1&reqadults=2&reqqchildren=0&room1=A%2CA%2C

Thank you so much for the great suggestions everyone! Appreciate the comments regarding potentially going in September - I will definitely consider it but for various reasons the preference is definitely for summer.

@MavisTheMonkey Interesting about Menorca, thank you! I wasn’t really considering the Spanish islands as I know they can be party central so I’ll look into it.

@HairyToity @MinnieMountain @minipie thank you for the detailed recommendations! Lots to look into.

@TizerorFizz I agree that both Puglia and Croatia are lovely! Have been to both but we’d rather not go back to Italy this time as we’ve been a few times recently so looking for something slightly different.

Does anyone have any opinions re the Basque Country or Basque coast?

@Crikeyalmighty Thank you for the link! Will check it out

@samarrange whilst I love Puerto pollensa at that time of year there are a lot of kids literally everywhere understandably and whilst not party scene as such it can be rowdy and very packed - hence why I suggested Andratx maybe - Puerto soller would indeed be my other suggestion

Don't know why it posted twice- lol

Capri is divine but July/Aug too busy in my opinion.

I've never understood Puerto Andratx. It always seems like a lot of people sitting around paying too much for coffee and Aperol Spritz in case Michael Douglas rolls up in the harbour. The beach is about 5x5 metres and the main non-sitting pastime seems to consist of looking in estate agent windows looking for the most expensive villa (25 million Euros is my record so far).

OP didn't seem to actively object to kids being around, so I will re-vote for Puerto Pollensa!

@samarrange - ha- ha- you may indeed have a point. We used to go to the beach at lovely Sant Elm . Yep if OP doesn't mind lots of kids then I would vote for Puerto pollensa- I enjoyed paguera too - stayed at the villamil - which was very nice- that resort was pretty packed too - except with more Germans - but does have a nice beach

I would have mentioned Sant Elm (or Portocolom, the second-most idyllic town in Majorca as far as I'm concerned) as destinations to the OP, but neither has the best transport connections if they don't have a car. Both need two buses to get to Palma, for example. Lots of great walking from both places, though.

@CoralClouds

I forgot you didn't drive when I suggested car rental. So you need somewhere with a decent railway line.

I've not been to Northern Spain. Friends have and found a lot to do. San Sebastián and Bilbao are must visits but plenty of smaller towns too.

I've just bought the book "Slow Trains Around Spain". Haven't read it yet but I think northern Spain is included. I'd still probably avoid high summer though!

@samarrange - I just love Majorca- it's my happy place- I'm off there in 3 weeks- staying in portals nous as we often do because the hotel has a lovely cove at the end of the street, and we like going into Palma a fair bit- which is easy from there - we do have a car for 3 days though which makes a difference- pop up to Valdemossa and soller with lunch in Deia- hope to retire there in 4 or 5 years.