Refined but not expensive holiday destinations?

[gremi]

Not snobby just prefer a more refined/upmarket vibe or as dd would call it “old money” (eye roll)

For example, we’ve enjoyed small alpine villages or grand hotels in Eastern Europe. Holidays in remote Greek islands without airports or haciendas in south america.

Any other suggestions? Maybe the Caribbean?

San Sebastián.

F

This is exactly what we have planned for this summer! Back-packing style, staying in cheap-ish Airbnb's. Looking forward to seeing some beautiful architecture, eating in nice but simple restaurants and people watching.
I think there's some cool caves to visit in Slovenia.

Coast of Maine
Door County, Wisconsin
Mackinac Island, Michigan

Ha! These are my last three holiday destinations.

Along with Dordogne in France (gorgeous food) and the Swedish Archipelago. Like Southwold meets IKEA.

@JustMarriedBecca ha ha - I laughed at your comment re Swedish archipelago - we lived in Copenhagen for 20 months but went to Sweden a lot and I used to describe both Sweden and Denmark as living in a large version of Waitrose - all very ordered and clean and ‘quality’

OMG I would love to live in Waitrose.

Also, everyone said Sweden was expensive. I didn't think think it was worse than mainland Europe.

Norway however....different ballgame

@JustMarriedBecca yes Sweden isn’t much different to UK, Denmark - more, Norway and Iceland - as you say different ballpark !!

We had a lovely week on Anna Maria Island (Holmes Beach) in Florida. Old school, low-rise, beautiful beaches.

Funny that, I didn't find Taormina particularly upmarket either, only one good restaurant.

There are lots of lovely restaurants in Taormina and it's certainly not full of kebab shops. There is an English bar, but also lots of other pretty terrace to sit on. Ortigia is very nice too. We've also been to Monopoli in Puglia and Tropea and Pizzo in Calabria and they would all meet this criteria.