Where would you recommend for a holiday in the summer?

[jarviscockatiel]

DH and I (no children) would like somewhere abroad in the summer. We'd like somewhere where we can be within driving distance of plenty of interesting historical and/or geographical sites while staying at one or two AirBnB type places.

We are ok with heat and not bothered by beaches though are happy to spend an afternoon at one. Places we've been before that have that vibe included Sicily, Cyprus, Sorrento/Naples and Andalusia.

Where would you recommend?

Anywhere, but I'd only go on the day the schools go back! Unless you are teachers or tied any other way to the school holidays.

Have a look at the Marseilles/Provence region. It ticks your boxes for historical and architectural, with the Roman remains and the pretty Provencal towns/cities like Aix, Orange, Nimes, Avignon, Pont du Gard and so on. Will be HOT. Beach areas abound also, Cassis outside Marseilles is good. But there are lots along that coast.

Other thoughts are Alsace for Colmar/Strasbourg and all the gorgeous towns along the Rhine region. Or the Venetian Riviera/Trieste and Northern Croatia.

Thank you for those ideas. We've been to Alsace but I'll definitely have a look at the other suggestions. Unfortunately I am a teacher so we are tied to school holidays.

As a fellow teacher (but with kids) I would suggest finding somewhere that is adults only. I know that's what I'll be doing when my kids are grown up 🤣

The north of Slovenia for Lake Bled and Lake Bohinj, Vintgar, Mostnica, Bled Castle, Tolmin, Predjama Castle and Soca

Sardinia might suit you.

Seconding the person who suggested Provence.

Avignon, Aix, Orange, Arles, Saint Remy - all lovely.

If you really like your history Tours is great for visiting nearby chateaux.

We went to Puglia last year and loved it. We based ourselves in Monopoli and did some days out from there - Polignano, Alberobello, the beach, Ostuni etc. This month we are off to the other side - Calabria and staying in Pizzo and Tropea. Planning trips to Reggio Calabria, Scilla and maybe the Aeolian Islands.

Bavaria is very interesting, lakes rather than sea for a beach day. Provence is probably my favourite place in the world - stay in Avignon, you can have a beach day in Marseille and travel around to so many places, added advantage is it’s an easy drive from the port, though I book a hotel around Dijon southbound and Paris on the way home then have 7 days in Avignon

Croatia - we did Dubrovnik & Cavtat a few years ago and are going to Split area this year

Thank you so much for your suggestions. I'll definitely look into them.