Where would you go for early September cheap and cheerful sun break?

[kitchenplans]

So we've been somewhat overloaded with a few life stresses and haven't got round to booking a summer holiday.

We'll need to go in early September for pet care reasons.

We're a couple in our early 50s.

We've had a lot going on, so mostly we just want to lay by a pool with a bit of eating out.

Thinking a cheap end AI might work as then on resort food and drink covered with zero effort, but we'd likely eat out locally for several evenings.

Initial searches seem to bring up Rhodes, Zante, Corfu, Balerics, Costas, Canaries, Turkey and Tunisia.

Gut instinct is to eliminate Turkey (didn't like previously), and Tunisia.
Think Canaries are a bit soulless, but does it really matter if we''re just sunning round the pool? We've done most of them before.

Really fancied Corfu, but worried about rain in September.

Have done Rhodes before many years ago and liked it. Probably inclined to prefer Greece to Spain, but not at the expense of weather.

Anyone got any suggestions as to the best place to go? Is AI different from one country to the next? We're not too bothered about evening meal as will likely eat out, but would want drinks around the pool and breakfast and snacks, and maybe lunch.

We're looking lower end (seen a few options around £6-700 per person for a week at that time of year).

We really need sun and relaxation. Not interested in entertainment or nightlife (apart from restaurants).

Bumping for you

Paphos? Lots of resorts of various costs but you'd get nice weather and the beaches are nice

What price is cheap?

I was thinking about £6-700 per person for a week, but that's not set in stone.

Madeira? I thought it had more atmosphere than the Canaries

Look at Crete? It has a variety of places, and - I think - more character than Rhodos and Zante (overcrowded by tourists - and outside of hotel dining is not great)

You cant go wrong with most areas in Crete - except for avoid Malia - it is mostly full of young low end crowd.

I love Greece, and simple meals on local Tavernas is something I love.

A Barcelo/Occidental resort might fit the bill, they are all over Spain and the Canaries etc and might be in budget in term time. Have a look at the Mitsis chain for similar but across Greece.

Majorca or Rhodes

I wouldn't do AI with that budget, it will be shit and full of unsavouries who just want to get pissed on the cheap.

Canaries. Half decent hotel and a Budget for eating out.

We go to Rhodes Town early September and the weather is still red hot. There’s loads to see and do, hence we keep going back.

Turkey and 5 star would be my suggestion. You'll get off peak deals. I enjoyed this hotel

https://allinclusive-collection.com/en/hotel/rixos-premium-gocek-adult-only/?utm_source=GMB&utm_medium=metasearch

Morocco, agadir has lots of AI

Cyprus or Rhodes first places that come to mind should still be very warm & less crowded by early September, Kefalonia another suggestion had a very reasonable week AI in September a couple of years ago.

It did wonder that. I only really wanted AI for zero hassle and no need for planning/shopping on lounging by the pool days. We'd probably eat out most evenings anyway.

Look at Katelios, in Kefalonia. A small resort, mainly along the beach, with a string of tarvernas. A few small shops and villas/small hotels dotted around the resort. It’s lovely.

Crete or Rhodes. Both great, fabulous food, beautiful scenery. Still hot in Srptember.

Portugal would still be warm enough, I think you'd have to stretch the budget a bit though for a decent AI. Not by loads but a couple of hundred each.

If you're not big drinkers I'd consider half board, most hotels will let you swap lunch/dinner so you'd be flexible.

I know this will sound left field but I did a girls trip to dreams calvia last year which is magaluf but the hotel is beautiful and although it wouldn't be sorching it's warm enough for the pool and reading a book. I think with some clever playing with flights and discount codes (try jet2 first) you could be close to budget

For only £700 each per week, your best bet might be Portugal, as it is supposed to be by far the best VFM in Europe.

I would have said Mallorca, but I'd expect to pay £1,500 each per week, in a decent hotel, B&B.

Prices there appear to range between £6k and £20k for the first week in September, so quite far out of my budget!

£1500 EACH for a week in Majorca in September? That's not in line with what I'm seeing available. Low end is starting under £400 pp at that time of year! £1500 between us gives a fair choice of 3-4*AI with change. That said, I'm wondering if I'd be better off non AI, as it does seem that maybe they're more in the party/lively resorts, which isn't what we're looking for.

We don't really have a set budget, but it has to be worth it to us. And £3K (or £6-20k) for an out of season week in Majorca wouldn't be.

I’d love to find somewhere like this too Op, so following with interest!

I would also suggest mitsis chain in Greece. We had an amazing time and managed to get a fab deal. I’d have paid considerably more!

If you are planning on eating out then why don’t you look at renting an apartment in a block with a pool? Croatia is nice, we stayed a few miles away from Dubrovnik last year and are going to Split this year (both in September). Zadar is another option with Ryanair flights. A lot of the rentals there are family homes which are divided between owners accommodation and the holiday let but while you are staying there you have full use of the garden and pool . Kitchen facilities mean you can also cater yourself as cheaply as you need to - we normally just get stuff like bread, cheese, wine so no effort required .

Personally I'd never do AI in Greece. Last year Corfu was rubbish in September but we were later...second half of month but first had been good apparently.
I'd head Rhodes/Crete or Cyprus.