Holiday avoiding flying

[MojoDojoCasaHouse]

DH hates flying and I’m happy to reduce flying for environmental reasons. We’ve done several holiday camp holidays in France, Netherlands and once to Italy (Garda). Any ideas for where else we can go in two weeks of England school summer holiday? We’ve got Spain on the list but will be too hot in July/August. Germany a possibility although we did a Centre Parcs there and found it very unfriendly. Not sure it’s fair to write off a country on one experience. We like scenery, pretty towns, food and drink, a theme park if possible.

How about Lake Constance/Bodensee? There's lots to see around the lake and you could also stop off at a German theme park e.g. Legoland or There's one further north that looks good bur I forget the name!

Hoeve de Overdracht in Belgium is a lovely campsite close to Plopsaland theme park.

https://www.seat61.com/index-mobile.htm is great for ideas

Bordeaux can be done by train via Paris. You can go from there to various places nearby such as the coast at Arcachon.

Northern Spain (accessible on the overnight ferry or driving through France) was quite cool when we went during the summer holidays - I wouldn't rule it out because it's too hot.

Ambassador cruises sail from a variety of UK ports if you fancy a cruise

Cruise from southampton to Norway - the fjords are amazing at this time of year

This. The temperatures are not like the rest of Spain at all. Ferry to Bilbao or Santander. Llanes is beautiful and the Picos de Europa will be a lovely day out.

Austria or Switzerland by train and stay in an alpine village. You can go up ski lifts for great hiking, swim in lakes and generally have a nice time.

Another vote for cruising. 5 star hotel that takes you interesting places. Drive to Southampton, park up and you are away.

@MojoDojoCasaHouse North Spain, either via Santander or Bilbao. Fabulous beaches, national parks, festivals, food etc. Great campsites. Easy roads.

Weather is generally mid 20s, i.e. very pleasant.

Thanks for all the ideas. Lots of votes Northern Spain. We’re near a Brittany Ferry port so that would work well. Like the idea of a mountain break as well. We live by the sea so don’t rely on a summer beach holiday.

Not a chance of getting DH and DD1 on a cruise. We need space with accommodation and the ability to get away from people if necessary. Should have said that in my OP. DD1 is autistic and I have strong suspicions about DH. The option for retreat is required. Three bed SC all the way for us.

I have never been to a German center parc but normally Germany is a great country to go to.

The northerners can be abrupt, it's the way they are (married to someone from Hamburg).

We lived several years in northern Bavaria before moving to the UK, did holidays at Lake Constance with DD when she was 7.

If you like mountains or hilly areas then I can definitely recommend the south-west part of Germany. There is the Europa Park near the French border.

You may need an overnight stop en route though. Can you do one night in a hotel together?

Love the idea of Europa Park. Hotels are fine for en route but space needed for main holiday 😁. We’ve stopped in Colmar on the way to Italy so would be happy for a few nights in Alsace in the way.

Ferry to Sweden then hire a car.

Annecy in France - we’ve driven there twice.

If you decide to go Germany, look at the southern part of the Black Forrest (Süd Schwarzwald).
We stayed in Kirchzarten for camping and Ihringen for B&B on our holidays.... the bonus with both places was a little "tourist tax" (a few euros/p adult per night). With it you'll get a ticket (Konuskarte) that gives you free access to local public transport (bus & trains)
We used to drive there, park the car and forget about it until home time!

I think Europa Park is OK... but you'll have the crowds during August... better is Steinwasen Park - smaller but still fun, try Hasenhorn Coaster - my DC all time favourite! Badeparadies is ok... but I call it helll on earth for good reasons!
You can easily visit Freiburg, Baden-Baden-Baden or Karlsruhe and take a train to Strassbourg (France) for a bit of City sightseeing.

We've been in the area about 5 times and there are still some unexplored options for us!