Holidaying in Europe (beach/culture)

94th_Minute

Hello,

I'm looking for a resort to go to with a group of adults.

We'd really like Europe, all inc. or full board type of thing, for some relaxing days around the hotel/beach type thing, but then also have some good days out taking in some of the culture of Europe too.

First springing to mind would be something like Pompeii and a resort close by, maybe Rome. That's the sort of thing I'm looking for, someone must have been on something similar which they look back on as one of their favourite holidays ever.

However having said that, ancient history it doesn't have to be, something like Palma de la Mallorca I hear is a beautiful city you could explore for days, but again being in a holiday resort type area.

I'd really appreciate that personal experience in directing where to go. At the moment my destination for the year really is a completely open book!!

Delree

Okay Pompeii is nowhere near Rome. And Rome isn't a resort.

In answer to your question I'd try Barcelona or Lisbon, both historic cities with plenty of culture with beach resorts on the door step.

[Deleted User]

Croatia might also be a good option. I have been but not to a resort, but saw several whilst there. Lovely cities and towns, lots of culture, great weather (in summer) and good beaches.

What is your budget? When do you plan to go?

Look Rome up on some of the well known/advertised package holiday providers websites, see what hotels/resorts are available in your budget and at the time of year you want to go, and then look them up on trip adviser.

Delree

Croatia is a great shout.
Going back to Pompeii, the bay of Naples is very nice around Sorrento.

Obviously_the_best

I'm currently in Lanzarote, which although probably isn't the first place that springs to mind, there plenty to do such as the timanfaya national park, the cities of teguise and arrecife and the beautiful beaches of papagayo. Staying somewhere like the Hesperia or the Dream Gran Castillo in playa blanca is advisable, and a hire car is a must.

94th_Minute

Domino9 wrote: »

Croatia might also be a good option. I have been but not to a resort, but saw several whilst there. Lovely cities and towns, lots of culture, great weather (in summer) and good beaches.

What is your budget? When do you plan to go?

Look Rome up on some of the well known/advertised package holiday providers websites, see what hotels/resorts are available in your budget and at the time of year you want to go, and then look them up on trip adviser.

Thanks, I'd forgotten to give a budget!!

We're looking around £450 - £500pp really, for probably 7 nights.

Not really sure on where we want to go, somewhere in southern Spain, southern Italy, Greece, somewhere with assured heat would be nice!

Aside from that I was hoping for somewhere with a decent amount of culture/history to see, something which would typify 'a cultured holiday in the european sun' if such a thing exists!

94th_Minute

Obviously_the_best wrote: »

I'm currently in Lanzarote, which although probably isn't the first place that springs to mind, there plenty to do such as the timanfaya national park, the cities of teguise and arrecife and the beautiful beaches of papagayo. Staying somewhere like the Hesperia or the Dream Gran Castillo in playa blanca is advisable, and a hire car is a must.

I've got to give it to you, the canaries certainly didn't spring to mind!!!

The park doesn't really sound like what I'd be looking for, the cities however might be more up our street. I'll certainly look into them, thank you.

Do you have any resorts to recommend near them?

ronmiel

How about the Costa Brava, there are lots of lovely seaside resorts on the south coast of Spain with good train links to Barcelona or to the south of France.

Obviously_the_best

94th_Minute wrote: »

Do you have any resorts to recommend near them?

You could stay in Arrecife itself, or just up the road is the resort of Costa Teguise. Tripadvisor is always the best place to look for hotels, gives you lots of reviews, not just mine. There's even a Lanzarote forum on there if you wanted to know more from other people that go here.

Also another idea is Cyprus, although not in financially great shape at the moment, the city of Nicosia is certainly interesting and only a bus ride away from other resorts such as nissi beach on the island.

emmaohg

I wouldn't really suggest Pompeii or Rome as neither of them are beach resorts and they are about 2.5hrs away from each other.

Barcelona is a good choice, the city has its own beach But if you're looking for All Inclusive or Full Board you will probably struggle in a city location. I would suggest looking at somewhere like Sitges or the Costa Brava and picking more of a traditional beach resort and then taking the bus or train to Barcelona. Or hire a car and you will be able to go further a field to places such as Monsterrat and Tarragona too.

The Costa del Sol is another good choice for All Inclusive especially if you hire a car. Places worth visiting are Ronda, Seville which is 2-3hours from some of the coastal resort or Granada which is 1-2 hours away depending on where you stay.

Someone else has suggested Lanzarote and I agree thats a great place. Timanfaya National Park is actually the name for the Volcano on the island and the area that surrounds it, its not an actual park. There's also a very famous architect that lived, and died, in Lanzarote named Cesar Manrique and there's a lot of places to visit and culture surrounding him on the island.

benjus

Puglia is well worth considering - plenty of beaches (frequented more by Italians than foreign tourists) and some interesting cultural/historic sights. You could make a day trip up to Matera, which is a fascinating place. Great food and wine too.

I'd second the Costa del Sol as well, as Andalucia has plenty of history plus the obvious beach resorts.