relaxing girlie holiday - suggestions please!

Piggy-bank_2

Would really appreciate any recommendations that would suit a group holiday as follows:

4 late 20's ladies for 1 week in May.
Warm, but not (just) beach based ie, an attractive old town to explore.
Some shops/bars/restaurants in walking distance but not full on partying/clubbing.
S/C, or Hotel B&B, but not an apartment in high-rise costa resort (my parents have a villa on C.B. but we want to go somewhere a bit different!)

Dont mind a package or DIY.
Would prefer to fly from a midlands airport, and preferably accomodation within 1hr drive of destination airport.

To give you an idea, one of the group would really like to go to Lake Garda, but even DIY with S/C, it's working out at the top of our budget (about £300pp) and have heard cost of eating/drinking out is quite high. Alternatives that have so far been suggested are Croatia or "old town" areas of spanish islands, but would really appreciate any personal recommendations of specific locations as I'm not really familiar with either!

Many thanks!

dmg24

Can recommend the Algarve. If you base yourself in Albufeira or Villamoura, you can get the best of both worlds, lovely beaches but also the old town is great ... and some fab markets to explore! x

Zebra

Have you considered some of the less spoilt areas of the Spanish mainland?

I can recommend the Costa de la Luz, which is on the Atlantic coast bordering Portugal, it has fantastic beaches and great bars/restaurants but remains unspoilt and miles away from the "high-rise costa resorts".

If you are thinking of DIY try https://www.espanabreaks.com

thriftykatie

I loved Croatia - stayed near Porec but have heard good reports from friends who have stayed all over, including Dubrovnik which has a beautiful old town. Not sure when in May you are going - we went last week in May (half term week) and got beautiful weather and very hot, but it may be less predictable earlier in the month. Certainly highly recommended though.

fatboyonadiet

Barcelona? I've booked an apartment via www.rent4days.com which worked out cheap for 6 of us and even managed to get a small discount too!

Lady_E

How about Slovenia? We flew into Llujubana and then drove 30-40 mins and stayed at Lake Bled (stunning views) We stayed at the Hotel Golf which has its own Wellness centre where you can get massages, beauty treatments etc. It also has the most amazing swimming pool complex again with fantastic views . Hiring a car is inexpensive and justified as you will want to explore .
https://www.hotelibled.com

richardw

If you can go the week commencing 12th May, you aren't near the bank holidays so should be able to get good prices.

Lagos, Algarve, Portugal may suit http://www.thomsonbeach.co.uk/th/beach/viewSelectedResort.do?seasonCode=S2007&resortCode=000508&destinationCode=000154&brochureCode=TH18&brochure_list=true

deva

https://www.skyscanner.net has return flights for four adults leaving nottingham 14/05 for one week to sardinia £173.04 then look at https://www.travelsupermarket.com for hotels or https://www.owners-direct.com for private lets. budget should nt be a problem

hlhassall

What about hiring a villa in France? Prices in the South may be more expensive but Northern France and the dordogne may be ok.

jopsey

have you thought of a cruise ?
we in the past have had some great last min deals on the likes of airtours/thomson ships not the best ships but really good value for money.

Dont be put off about it being full of old dears ,its for all ages .

Nobjocki

If you're after a relaxing girlie holiday for four ladies in their late 20's I've got just the place for you.
It's called my home - all you need to do is cook terribly,do very little around the house and complain a lot when I expect my conjugal rights.
I know it will be relaxing for you because my wife seems to enjoy it a lot.
Unfortunately it's a long time since she was in her late 20's.