Where to go: Sun, Sea, History, Art?

[BigBoysDontCry]

It's been a tough couple of years. DH and I split up, I had some health issues, adult DSs (early 20s) been struggling with various mental health/neurodiverse stuff and we've not managed a holiday for the last few years.

Money is not plentiful but I'm determined to get us away for a break next year, probably later in the summer (Sept/Oct). And yes, they DO want to come away with me! 😁

DS1 likes swimming in the sea and just being involved in whatever anyone else is doing. He's autistic, very clever but quiet and struggles with social stuff. DS2 loves history, particularly the byzantine empire type stuff, likes to go places and walk on holiday. We may have his girlfriend along who likes art type stuff and is really easy going. I just like to see everyone happy, have some nice food, a bit of sun etc.

So essentially I'm looking for somewhere where there are things to see and do (by public transport), near the sea, places to eat etc

I'd like a week to 10 days and budget around £4k. I think Greece might fit the bill? Any recommendations? Only place I've been to in Greece is Faliraki which was a bargain last minute week away when DH and I were pre DC but all we did was sunbathe and swim and eat so no idea if there were interesting things to see.

Sicily might be good? Lots of Byzantine history and architecture, good sea swimming, Caravaggio paintings in Messina and Syracuse if you like art. Great for walking and good food too :)

Just to add we did the east coast using only public transportation and got around fine.

How about Malta? So much fascinating history, friendly people and lovely hotels. Really easy to get around too.

Oh thanks for that. I'll have a bit of a google.

Sicily would be perfect, but not everything is in the same area.

Italy, Amalfi Coast! Say in Naples or one of the places further up the coast, like Amalfi, Positano, etc. Lots of history, food is amazing, the whole area is breathtakingly beautiful.

Oh I've been to Malta and it was lovely but again didn't do too much as was away with Ex when we were young and fell out and they had a heatwave where it was around 40 degrees. Might be nice to revisit with my favourite people though. Thanks.

I think Malta is a decent option too staying in Valleta. - it's very easy to get around and whilst I don't like all of Malta - I loved valleta- cheap too

Thanks, getting loads of great ideas. I thought my question might be a bit boring and not get any replies :)

Italy would be lovely. We went to a place near Pisa on a school trip (well my boys were in primary and I was accompanying the trip - not my school trip)

Sicily is great for art, food, swimming! I've been in the autumn and loved it. Didn't hire a car but found trains pretty good and there are buses to lots of attractions. It's too big a place to do everything, so you'd be best to do an area. We stayed in Palermo and Cefalu. I really want to go to the east coast and see Taormina and Ortigia (I think that's the name!)

I think we stayed in Bugibba and went into Valetta on the bus one day. I think we went to Gozo too.

Have you looked at Crete? Plenty of historical sites there including the Palace of Mynos at Knossos and plenty more besides. Lots of sea, sand and swimming too, and delicious food. It has the full package and is easy enough to get around without a car.

I was just about to suggest Crete too.

I think Italy might really fit the brief OP. You could do say Rome or Florence for a couple of days then get the train down to Sorrento for the sea swimming & from there as a base you can get the train to Pompeii and buses to Amalfi and positano or capri.

Thanks will add Crete to the list and explore Italy a bit more. The only limiting factor (asides from money...) is that we are in Scotland and it really adds to the cost/timing if we can't fly direct so I'll need to explore who flies where as well. I'm thinking i'd definitely be better not booking a package holiday to get some flexibility.

I've just been to Málaga and it ticked all your boxes, op. I am most definitely not a sun holiday kind of person so I was worried beforehand, but I was so impressed. There are beaches right there in the city, great art galleries, history (Roman and otherwise) and it's got great public transport and easily walkable city centre too.

I went to Croatia, based in Split but took the ferry to go to islands close by. Hvar and Vis and another which I forget the name. Lovely to swim in the sea there and some interesting history…… Also G of T featured Split if they like that. Also there is a big national park nearby although I didn’t have chance to go

My friend went to Montenegro, apparently similar to Croatia but much cheaper.

Yes, I'd not write off traditional holiday resorts as long as there were other things to do. We spent many holidays on Menorca exploring the cities and it is beautiful and ticks lots of boxes but asides from having done it a lot, I don't think I can face it at the moment.

Agree Sicily - Ortigia and Taormina or Agrigento. Or Reggio Calabria also with museum and Tropea/Pizzo. Naples and the roman sites. Puglia - Lecce, Ostuni, Otranto, Gallipoli etc.

Well that's my evening of browsing sorted though I can't book anything until I know if DSs g/f would be coming or not. She's currently applying for something that would see her already abroad (probably Spain) from September-ish next year.

French Riviera, the stretch between Menton and Cannes including Nice and Monaco is easy to do by train. The beaches are lovely and there's loads of art and culture.

Italy would be good, too, some parts are better than others for public transport though. We didn't drive at all when we based ourselves in sorrento. We got the train to pompeii, herculaneum, vesuvius, and Naples, and used the buses between the Amalfi villages. We also used the train to get around between Florence, Pisa, Sienna, Lucca, Via Reggio and Cinque Terre. Public transport is also good around Lake Garda, if a lake would do instead of the sea. I would avoid Puglia and Calabria though due to poor public transport and roads. Sicily is great and would fit your criteria but we didn't try the public transport.

French Riviera, the stretch between Menton and Cannes including Nice and Monaco is easy to do by train. The beaches are lovely and there's loads of art and culture.

We've just been there for the first time a couple of weeks ago. The weather was mixed but on the sunny days there were still people swimming in the sea. Not Byzantine but other history and art (inc museums of Picasso, Chagall and Matisse though the latter was unfortunately closed during our visit).

DS and g/f just came back from a few days in Antibes. On a very low budget and their first trip together just the two of them. They had a fab time and used the public transport a lot. Only let down was the stormy weather meaning some things were closed but yes, something similar to that would be good.

Google ‘walk of the Gods’ above the Amalfi coast. 10 years on and it still makes me go WOW when I think of it. We did a walking holiday where luggage is transported on. Wonderful.,

That looks amazing!