Alternative to France driving holiday

[Blossomyard85]

For the past 5 summers we have had a two week summer holiday in France. We drive using the Channel tunnel and stay in two different places (one week in each place). We mostly stay in gites and often in the south west. We’ve had some lovely holidays, but we think it’s time for a change next year. I’m struggling to think where to go. Any recommendations? We like good food, pretty scenery and being able to get out and about a bit (happy to hire a car). The kids like having a pool, and enjoy the odd afternoon at the beach (though not essential). I like a wainder round an attractive town/village, visiting nice markets and being able to read my book. My husband doesn’t really enjoy sitting on the beach, but happy to be poolside. He likes good food and wine. We want sun, but not absolutely boiling (although the weather is less predicable than it used to be). Do not want an all inclusive. The kids will be 7 and 5.

Italy?
Spain?
Greece?

Germany! We've just driven back from holiday house in Hessen - have previously enjoyed holidays in Black Forest and Saxony (although Saxony was probably toooo much of a drive tbh). Even if you don't have a private pool, most places seem to have an outdoor swimming pool nearby. The Black Forest (Schwarzwald) has a tourist scheme where you get free rail travel and free / discounted entry to tourist attractions - makes exploring fun and cheap!

The Netherlands/Germany we have done 2 Eurocamp holidays there recently. Efteling theme park would be amazing for kids that age

I’d probably suggest northern Spain, especially the Costa Brava. It has quite a similar feel to what you enjoy about France, but still feels different enough for a change. You could split the two weeks between somewhere inland near Girona and then a coastal village, with a villa/gîte and pool. There are lots of pretty little towns, markets, good food and wine, plus coves and beaches for the kids when they fancy it. It’s also quite easy to get around by car, and the Costa Brava tends to be a little less relentlessly hot than some of the further-south Spanish resorts.

Northern Spain was my first thought, too. After reading your OP more carefully, I'm going for Italy. AMAZING food, with culinary traditions as rich and varied as France, an insane variety of scenery, history and marketplaces everywhere you go.

All the European countries have a lot going for them in terms of what you seek, but only Italy's as obsessed with food as France. And it is a lovely country to visit with children!

Frankonia/Northern Bavaria - fly to Frankfurt and drive.

Plenty of things to see and do, outdoor activities, outdoor lidos and water fun parks.
Get an apartment/house, easy self-catering

Alternatively Bavaria, Lake Constance or even north of Hamburg towards the Baltic Coast.

France, but the Alps? Just had 2 weeks there - lovely weather but not stupidly hot (had one night on the coast and while wonderful, it was a different league of hot and you needed AC). Lakes are brilliant to swim in and there are lots of Aqua Parks. Scenery is to die for. Good food although different from SW France.

Mallorca has lots to see, great food and lovely beaches and scenery. Especially the north. The buses are fantastic too if you want a break from driving.

Thanks - we were thinking maybe Italy. Any recommendations on which area to explore with kids? Maybe Tuscany as then you have countryside and coast?

One of the reasons we want a change from France is that the French seem to tolerate kids rather than truly welcome them. I always find eating in restaurants with kids quite stressful! This year my son was rather hangry and hot and was having a bit of meltdown in a café, crying with his face on the table. The waiter actually picked his head up and told him very firmly to stop making a fuss. I appreciate that my son’s behaviour was annoying, but I did not like the waiter physically touching my son like that and his complete lack of empathy. As soon as my son had eaten something and had a cold drink he was fine.

Germany and the Netherlands look interesting, but I guess the weather is going to be more like in England. This year would have been fine of course, but I guess you could have a rainy/cloudy week.

We've just come back from Belgium and Northern Germany. My kids are similar ages to yours and had an amazing time - lakeside beaches, outdoor swimming pools and playgrounds featured heavily. I'm sure there was a playground every 100m in some of the towns we visited. Some lovely markets to mooch around.

Food was not so amazing, particularly in Germany (lots of average pizza, pasta and chips) but they were welcoming to the kids and we were self catering so not the end of the world.

How about Ireland?

We drove to Lake Garda a couple of years ago. Via France so stopped in places on the way including Annecy. We stayed at a Eurocamp type place on the lake with its own beach. Walking distance to the town if Salo which was beautiful. And walking distance to the boats that take you across the lake to other towns.

Germany!

Holland