Holiday destinations with cooler climate

[IE00]

Hi there,

Sorry couldn't find a post similar forgive me if there is one. Does anyone have any personal holiday recommendations for Europe with a cooler climate than South of France for August time?

The last three years we have gone to south of France, mainly because either DH parents like there or my parents have a holiday home there. It's lovely. We are very grateful for the free accommodation. We often then do another week on our own just the 4 of us, me, DH and two kids currently nearly 2 and nearly 4. The trouble is this second week, is really out of our price range. So we end up getting stuff that is below comfort levels, car is too small for our luggage, accommodation is rubbish (broken shutters so the living room was dark, no AC and 28C at night so kids didn't sleep, etc.), we can't eat out because everywhere is expensive.

Due to rising temperature, DH's parents are now open to going somewhere else that's a little cooler. And cheaper.

So I ask, does anyone have any holiday recommendations in Europe that is easy to get to (within 2 hours from an airport), not too hot in the summer (ideally below 30C), preferably near a body of water (sea, lake), reasonably priced accommodation (for example the France house was £6k/week and slept 10). Also in a village where amenities are within a 15 minutes drive? We are also talking more Airbnb and not all inclusive.

Thanks in advance

The Netherlands has lovely beaches. Look at landal.com and roompot.com. Both have larger properties and a range of locations and facilities. Much cheaper than 6k a week.

I’d go to the West coast of Sweden, beautiful beaches and lots of little islands, or to either Öland or Gotland ( large islands outside the east coast of Sweden). August time the schools will have gone back and it’ll be quieter/ cheaper and not that hot but it should still be warm and sunny.
Denmark or northern Poland should be a bit cooler as well.

If you like France, how about the Alps? Somewhere like Morzine. Because it's a ski resort there is a great choice of accommodation suitable for family groups. Lac de Montriond and various pools for swimming. Access to beautiful walks/hikes via the extensive lift system. Temps typically in the mid 20s in the summer I think.

What's your budget and will you drive or fly / train?

Northen Spain. Very different climate to the rest of the country! Fly into Santander or Bilbao. It's not overly expensive there either. Llanes is gorgeous and you can also visit the Picos de Europa National Park.

Austria is a good option. Lakes and lots of activities in the summer in the mountains including lifts, trails, playgrounds. Lots of areas have their own summer cards that give free or discounted local travel and other offers.

French Alps are similar but don't tend to have the summer offers in the same way as Austria.

Switzerland is also lovely in summer but more expensive though again some good travel cards and options to reduce costs.

I think you would love Slovenia
Lake Bled is gorgeous and reasonable and Ljubljana is charming

Or possible northern Italian Dolomites