inspiration for next year?

balancelife

Hi all,

last two years we've been to france and stayed in villa/gite/house's which has worked well for us but now I fancy going somewhere that will be warmer!

we are:
2 adults
1 adult
2 adults with 2 children. (who will be 2 and 6)

We are looking to go mid august next year for 2weeks.
budget for flights and accomodation max £2000-2,500 for all of us.

We want to hire a villa that has room for the 7 of us, prefer to be 4 bedrooms, or mabe 3 and we can sleep 2 in the lounge. we've used holiday rentals and would be happy to book privately.

I'd like it to have a pool and be close to the beach. it would be good if there were some things walkable to - like a shop, restaurant etc but not too busy and bustling. we also enjoy driving out to places and so would want to look at hiring a car too. we like to experience different foods and meet local people so prehaps somewhere quieter and more traditional would suit than a really built up resort.

my husband isnt keen on flying which is why we've done a ferry and france the last few years but he's coming round to the idea (so a short flight prehaps!) flights would need to be from london airports, stansted is closest for us.

I have no idea where to start and so thought I better start now! not even sure when the best time to book up is.
I need to pick a country, then an area in it... book flights to it and find accomodation and decide how we will all get there and get around once there. So any inspiration to start me off on my searching would be most appreciated or recommendations of places. :A thanks

Chimaera

Hi

I have been to Portugal a number of times and stayed in a villa in the Eastern Algarve. Although the area is becoming better known there are still some quieter places with gorgeous beaches. Tavira is lovely as is Moncarapacho and Olhao. Cabanas was also lovely although there has been a lot of development of late and as I was last there in 2009 I can't comment on what it is like now, but it was a walk to a few shops and a lot of lovely restaurants and a (cheap) boat ride across a lagoon area to a fabulous beach.

Flights are short, plentiful and relatively inexpensive to Faro if you want to make your own independent arrangements, and I have always found great villas via Owners Direct.

Good luck!

Bob_the_Saver

It's been 38c in France were we are today, how warm exactly do you want?

balancelife

We were in Normandy the last two weeks. One week was lovely most days and it reminded us we like sunshine!the other week was more jeans weather and taking cardigans out etc and wasn't as good for sitting on the beach.
I like France but we drove a 5 hour journey from calais that took 7hours to do and so I don't think QQ want to drive and further than that.. then if we are going to have to fly we thought we might try somewhere else. Though if you can recommend a good place in France where the sun will shine then that's great.

As for the temp...I'm thinking it would be good to sit round a pool in swim stuff, it be warm enough to want to jump in the sea, dig sandcastles and eat outside, the kids to not be needing wrapped in towels, and to be able to pack shorts and sun hats rather than jeans and raincoats!