Holidays for nerds!!

[justteanbiscuits]

We're a fairly nerdy family - love learning, but museums don't excite. We'd love a holiday in Europe with things to do (we're not beach holiday types). Kids very sporty, but adults less so. Star spotting and wild life are things that would be high on the list of interests. Water would be important for me (so lake or sea suitable for swimming). And I do have a yearning to try canoeing!

I don't know where to start!! Budget is around £5k for 2 adults and 15/17 year old sons (so, eurgh, adults I guess for holiday purposes).

Any ideas on where to start? Or places you've been you can recommend?

Switzerland, Norway, Croatia (great for kayaking).

Everything I am looking at in Croatia is an all inclusive beach holiday, or a city air bnb type. I want something in the middle.. I don't want the added stress of having to organise each individual activity myself, so somewhere that has everything on hand. I also don't want to drive if I can avoid it!

(and thanks, could NOT think of the Kayak word!)

Ohm, and Norway (and Iceland) have been discounted as they're SO expensive!

darkskyalqueva.com/en/activities/

I was more thinking of a Eurocamp type of place with a water sports center.

Iceland. Lots of volcano and geothermal related stuff obviously.

Also many public outdoor pools with spas and slides, plus the touristy blue lagoon type places.

Sorry missed that you've discounted iceland on cost (it's worth it, not as expensive as Norway and there are ways to reduce the level of extortion without reducing enjoyment).

Would LOVE Iceland, but it's quite out of our price range!

Reducing level of cost seems to end up with me cooking!! It's a holiday for me too ;)

That looks amazing! Need to investigate this further...

Do none of the rest of your family cook?

Is putting a supermarket pizza in the oven or making an omelette not worth the minimal effort even when it makes a dream holiday destination affordable?

being able to eat out is a big pleasure for me, and makes up a substantial part of a holiday. So no, cooking isn't something I want to be doing, and teenage boys surviving on a cheap pizza or an omelette isn't realistic, especially if they are busy all day.

Barcelona
Rome
Italian lakes

I'm wondering if you can find what you are looking for in Czechia. Or southern Germany - south of Munich. Germany is a very underrated destination.

Switzerland is amazing but probably more expensive than Iceland. I visited a friend there recently and it cost £80 to take a cable car up and back down Pilatus. I bought dinner for 3 in a small local ordinary restaurant. One course each and only 1 alcoholic drink - £140.

Mountains of Croatia are cheap with lovely hikes and stars and wildlife. Then have a few days on the coast for the water.

Austria. Lots of mountains and lakes there so great for walks and water activities. Also lots to see and do there

I'd go aurora chasing in northern Finland.

Morocco? Poss not the kayaking, but you could surf?! Amazing history and culture, lovely food. Cheap!

What about la Palma , it’s a beautiful island with lots to do ?
There’s black sandy beaches for swimming and water sports, forests and waterfalls, its renowned for its beautiful clear night sky , there’s volcanoes, lovely restaurants . There’s the beautiful capital of Santa Cruze La Palma and it’s a unesco world heritage site.
we spent a brilliant week there just wandering about and catching buses to different parts of the island .

Lake Annecy fits your bill. A lake you can swim and do water sports in, surrounded by by mountains. Chamonix is an hours drive away from a day trip. Walks in mountains. Parascending. Cycle around lake etc. Beautiful countryside.

Get inspo from organized ones like European activity holidays in 2025 & 2026 | Responsible Travel https://share.google/zPhJwG1WP9S18YyKp

Slovenia, Malta, Germany (Ludwigs Castles), Budapest, Italian Lakes

Dordogne could be good. Absolutely packed with historical sights, really picturesque and two big rivers the Dordogne and Vezere for canoeing or kayaking.
this is a nice place (direct access to the Vezere and you can rent canoes / bikes so great for activities) and if you don’t like caravans then the location at least is great and there are lots of holiday houses in the area too. https://le-paradis-campsite.com/

Romania. Bear safari, dracula’s castle, stunning scenery for hiking in and still fairly cheap

That does look good. Ticks a lot of boxes (and I love the safari tents!)