Advice on looking for a holiday in Europe

SadieO

Hi all, I would really appreciate any advice. Husband and I are thinking about booking a week away, probably in August. On the rare occasions we have had holidays before we have done city breaks and spend our hols going round museums, cathedrals etc! However I am recovering from some major medical treatment and quite fancy a lying on the beach/by the pool type holiday for some relaxation! As we have never really been on this kind of holiday before I don't really know where to start. Here's what we are looking for. We are both 33, no kids.

Europe, thinking Spain (preferably, as husband has never been) or Greece.

Some nice bars/restaurants, but not mad, chavvy or nightclubby.

Somewhere that "feels" Spanish (or Greek, or whatever), not like we are in our local!

Any ideas? Also, how much would you expect to pay for this sort of holiday? And is it better to go to a travel agent (do people still do that anymore?!) or book on the internet yourself? Sorry if these are stupid questions.

Many thanks

melb

I'm assuming you have to go in August for job reasons - if not September should be cheaper after kids go back to school

Teahfc

I have a property on the Polaris world resort of La Torre on the Mar Menor bay.
The resort has 2500 properties is 25 minutes form the beach and 20 minutes from the San Javier Airport.(Serviced by all the cheaper airlines)
There is a big mixture of Bars /Restaurants to suit all tastes, Murcia City is 30 minutes away on a train should you need the urge to city visit but loads of Pools and the wonderful calm Mar Menor bay and golden beach is very relaxing.
feel free to ask if you need more info.

http://polarisworldandbeyond.blogspot.com/

http://www.simplynetworking.es/

http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?q=mar+menor+bay&rls=com.microsoft:en-gb:IE-SearchBox&oe=UTF-8&rlz=1I7SKPB_en&redir_esc=&um=1&ie=UTF-8&sa=N&hl=en&tab=wl

Incapuppy

Before you book anything would you please investigate the cost of insurance cover for your proposed trip re: pre-existing medical conditions.

Depending on the treatment you have had and whether it necessitated a hospital stay you might find that premiums will be loaded highly in the short term.

Different insurers, or rather their medical screening agencies will vary in the view they adopt re: various different PEMCs so it it is wise to shop around.

Bob_the_Saver

SadieO wrote: »

Hi all, I would really appreciate any advice. Husband and I are thinking about booking a week away, probably in August. On the rare occasions we have had holidays before we have done city breaks and spend our hols going round museums, cathedrals etc! However I am recovering from some major medical treatment and quite fancy a lying on the beach/by the pool type holiday for some relaxation! As we have never really been on this kind of holiday before I don't really know where to start. Here's what we are looking for. We are both 33, no kids.

Europe, thinking Spain (preferably, as husband has never been) or Greece.

Some nice bars/restaurants, but not mad, chavvy or nightclubby.

Somewhere that "feels" Spanish (or Greek, or whatever), not like we are in our local!

Any ideas? Also, how much would you expect to pay for this sort of holiday? And is it better to go to a travel agent (do people still do that anymore?!) or book on the internet yourself? Sorry if these are stupid questions.

Many thanks

Just a minor point If you're starting off from Britain you're already 'in Europe'
although if you have any friends who read the Daily Mail they might not realise this.

greenface

Bob thats not really helpful is it ? OP i have just returned from Gran Canaria and would like you to look at Puerto Mogan (Cordial Hotel or Club De Mar) esp Club De Mar- Puerto Mogan its Very Spanish with great restraunts relaxing no hassle and small flat walking areas between . Bus service to Puerto Rico/ Amadores beaches. Enjoy

SadieO

Thank you greenface, I will definitely look at Gran Canaria. That sounds perfect and just what we are looking for

Incapuppy, I am aware I will need specialist insurance. I am a member of another forum (specific to my condition) and there is lots of good advice on travel insurance on there so I have got some ideas of where to start.

Melb, thank you too for your advice. I have just had a look at some websites and there is a big difference between the middle and the end of August, with the end of August being the same as Sept. So we will look at the last week of Aug/first week of Sept. Fortunately we can be quite flexible with dates.

Thanks again for the helpful advice it is much appreciated.

thegirlintheattic

Try Tenerife, Thompson Gold has some good deals at the moment which work out about £900 for two for 7 nights in August. Perfect for sitting by the pool and no kids allowed so quiet!

jakes-mum

I liked Playa Blanca in Lanzarote, and as greenface said Gran Canaria is lovely.
Greek Islands, (dragging info from my youth as parents LOVED greece and we went to more and more remote areas each year) Zakynthos (Zante I think the tour operators call it) is beautiful as was Kalymnos.
I'll have to ask my mum what areas we visited as they were very 'the quieter the better and if theres no kids thats heaven' I reacon they would have left us home if they could have! :rotfl:

Costs wise, ive been looking at canaries this week actually for august and obv depending on what board basis you want it was working out about £800 for the two of us S/C and £1200 - £2000 AI
Cant give any clue on Greece as 'himself' refuses to return after a visit to corfu with Thomson 10 years ago :cool:

hollydays

If you want real peace and quiet,dont go till september and kids are back at school.