European summer holiday with two under-sixes: your recommendations please

[policywonk]

For August next year. I'd like: warm but not searingly hot (Greece is out I think, much as I love it); beach (pref. sand); self-catering (apartment or Eurocamp arrangement - doubt we'll be able to stretch to a villa); 3-hour flight max (ish); and an area that still has some local character, but also has some tourist facilities.

Yeah, yeah, I want the moon on a stick.

I'd be really grateful if anyone could suggest regions that might fit the bill.

May I ask why August?

With children? For how many people?

Erm, school 'olidays. Spring half-term is already spoke for.

Four people - me, the wage-earner , 6-year-old DS1 and 4-year-old DS2.

Ah! Sorry, it's in your title. Two under sixes.

First thoughts
Ile de Re on the French atlantic coast - s'marvellous. Hire bikes for the duration of your stay. Great beaches, wonderful seafood and really very lovely

Italian lakes?

Corsica.
South ofFrance- Languedoc- we went last year it was absoloutly gorgeous- and at the end of August we had beach almost to ourselves with a cafe too (near Sete)
We stayed near Uzes the first week- lovely lovely countryside.

France is good, thanks. Will look into that. Is it reliably warm and dry at that time of year? I spent this summer in Wales and I nearly drowned.

Lakes - I went to Garda as a child, and remember the weather as being a bit disappointing - sort of humid and cloudy.

I really am tremendously fixated on the weather, as you can see.

Ah, thank you plum. I will have a look at those. Is Languedoc near Dordogne? (Why use an atlas when I've got Mumsnet?)

Cavaliere or Le Lavandou in South of France. Lovely beaches - lots to do. V close to Toulon airport.

We had a great week at the Union Lido site in Italy a fews years ago. Between Lido de Jesolo and Venice, with good public transport. Huge sandy beach, 2 pool complexes with slides etc, a big playground. Busy in August though I guess, but then everywhere is.

Second Langudoc too actually. We had a boat and went through the camargue on the canal du midi. Resorts like La Grand Motte and Vias-Plage are nice. Again lovely sandy beaches.

Thank you Portofino. We do like France on Mumsnet, don't we?

I'm not sure I can face Venice in August! I'd like to go to the Adriatic coast though - anyone know anything about that bit?

Tis on the med
here

We stayed here the first week
Mas de Puech it was very rural, if that's what you're after; other families, and social if you want to be, but small and quiet enough to be private. The appartments were stunning, balconies where you watched the sunset, and shared wine with the other groups if you wanted while the children played.
Bikes to use, nice pool, etc.
near the carmargue and avignon.
EWe love it.
The second week we moved up the coast towards Perpignan, but the place we stayed wasnm't as nice, although the coast was lovely and fairly unspoilt.

We've had quite a few holidays in Corsica, and it is wonderful. But too pricey for us at the moment.
We're going to Devon this year.

Thanks plum - that does look lovely! Must resist urge to book the first thing I see...

What about the Costa del Luz - atlantic coast of Southern Spain?

Tarifa is utterly gorgeous and the beaches are huge so plenty of room for DC's to run around.

Spanish are delightful with children so your DC's will be welcome wherever you go and you are within easy driving distance of touristy things as you head along the coast towards Malaga.

My DH was born in this region of Spain and it is nothing like the usual touristy areas - very traditional and beautiful.

Also you can fly to Gibraltar and minimise any long drives from the airport to your accomodation.

Greece is not "searingly hot" if you go the islands. Which is why I tend to choose it over other destinations.

Fits your remit

Ooh a new country! Thanks AliBean - I will have a look. Isn't it fearfully hot in August though? My mother went to Granada a few years ago and said it was the hottest place she'd ever been (although she absolutely loved it) - but might be less hot on the coast?

Thnanks Anna - not fair to show me pictures of white Greek villas, it makes me go weak.

We spent a lot of holidays on Paxos when I was younger and that was searingly hot - but maybe others are not so much? I wouldn't mind but DP gets bad-tempered once the temp goes over 30.

Folegandros (where the apartments I linked to are) has a lovely shady village (the most beautiful one in the Cyclades ) and lots of little beaches. You can spend your morning eating breakfast under a tree in a village café and lounging by the pool, the early afternoon having a siesta and the late afternoon at the beach (very good beach for tinies near the port) and then the children can play all evening in the village squares while parents dine...

You might find Corsica a bit hot, dunno.

I love the south of France, prefer the places just slightly inland of Nice/St Trop. You won't be disappointed with the weather in the South of France in August.

Policywonk - I love Paxos. I too have been in August and it was unbearably hot. Those sea urchins are a bit of a pest for small children too.

Are you really going to try and combine culture and two children under 6?

Keycamp Great deals for the very end of August, BUT the kids clubs shut down then.

Policywonk - it is relatively hot in August but the coast is alot cooler than the interior of the country, esp on the Atlantic coast where there is a usually a good breeze to keep the temp down.

No hotter than Southern France and certainly cooler than Greece.

If you ge accom with air con for the nights then you will be absolutely fine.

The best thing about this area is the attitude of the Spanish towards children in general and the food (mmmmmmmm) - you will feel so welcome and its very relaxing. I am biased as we always have such a wonderful time there...in fact I am currently learning Spanish properly so we can take the DC's there to live for a few years!!

Thank you all for this, it's much appreciated. I will look into all the suggestions.

Where did you go on Paxos, PM? We were in Loggos (about five times!) And no, I'm not really after culture (although I would love the chance to go to the Alhambra) - just somewhere with flushing toilets and so on

PW - We went approx 9 years ago with this company and stayed in this villa here I see it still includes car hire but it used also to include 7 days boat hire which was great fun esp for the children. It meant we got to see lots of the island that you just don't get to see by road. The heat though, in August, ugh.

We like sailing and playing tennis so always tend to go to Mark Warner. We have such a relaxing and enjoyable time - all of us. Your boys would love the watersports. But culture it aint - I remember once being shocked at hearing a French voice on the beach at Mark Warner in Corsica.

Sardinia?

Asturias (Northern Spain)?