Too many demands...

[Bloss]

I am trying to book a holiday for this August, but am struggling to keep everyone happy. My three children wish to be near to a sandy beach with clear blue water and sunshine, my husband would like us to have places to walk and historical sites to visit and warm weather. I would like a nice quiet villa with pool. None of us like crowds and crowds of people. We are happy to drive and ferry there, or fly-drive. We don't mind how far away, though it can't be too expensive for flights because there are five of us. We are happy to self-cater. Anybody out there that can give me some inspiration?

[Coppertop84]

You could try Puerto Rico in Gran Canaria. Lovely island. Quiet enough area with busier resorts surrounding if you want more nightlife but Puerto Rico has numerous bars. It is all built into the mountain so plenty of walking available and a lovely sandy beach at bottom of mountain. We stayed at Blue Star Apartments which can be found if you search internet - pictures and reviews. When we went they were very clean and of course a great view.

[Buenchico]

Your post seems to shout 'Italian Riviera' to me.

Ryanair fly from Stansted to Genoa. Sample fares, per person (including all taxes and charges but excluding booking fees, checked baggage fees and priority boarding charges) are as follows:
Out Monday 03/08 (at 0950, landing at 1255): �19.99
Back Monday 17/08 (at 1320, landing at 1325): �14.99
http://www.ryanair.com/site/EN/

It's an easy drive from Genoa Airport to such delightful little resorts as Rapallo. These firms provide car hire facilities at the airport:
http://www.airport.genova.it/v2/index.php?opti on=com_content&view=article&id=68&Itemid=137

Rapallo, and neighbouring resorts (such as Santa Margherita which was beloved by Liz Taylor & Richard Burton) are quiet and fairly 'classy' without being expensive. (The only exception is the billionaire's resort of Portofino which is worth a visit but is definitely way beyond the means of 'mere mortals'!). There are good, sandy (but small) beaches which, like nearly all Italian resorts, are dominated by 'beach clubs' but with plenty of 'free access' areas as well.

Places to walk? You're right next to the Cinque Terre National Park (which is a Unesco World Heritage Site).

History? Genoa has a fascinating 'old town' area, packed with surprises around every corner.

And if you fancy sampling the superb local wines on your travels you can forget the car and use the cheap & frequent coastal rail service.

Googling 'villa rapallo', 'villa italian riviera' or 'villa liguria' will find plenty of reasonably-priced offers of accommodation.

Chris

[VHG]

>my husband would like us to have places to walk and >historical sites to visit

This is a similar dilema to me and my family.

I hate beach holidays, and want to go somewhere interesting, whereas my wife and children love beaches, swimming, and lazing around.

But I think in a family context your husband needs to realise that children dont want to go for walks and visit historical sites, and you deserve a rest while on holiday.

Anyway walking around historical sites in hot weather is no fun for anyone, particulalry in August..

I would suggest your husband goes away with all of you for a "family" holiday (with maybe the odd day out on his own to visit interesting places).

Then maybe at some other time he goes on a holiday on his own with other like minded people. There are plenty of companies who offer holidays visting historic sites or other interesting places.

Sometime we all have to accept we have a family and cant always do what we would like to do.

[VHG]

Following on from my append above.

My family went to Port Aventura a year or so back in June. It is a sort of mini disney in Spain near Barcelona.

I was more than happy to go there as I like theme parks and water parks. But for a lot of the day we were just lying by the pool as it was so hot and I was bored.

But one day I fancied seeing a bit of the "real" Spain so said I would walk into a nearby village about 2 miles away.

I set off fine, but after a while realised it was VERY hot, and my feet were starting to sweat, and I was getting very uncomfortable.

I got into the village, and there was some lovely old spanish buildings and squares, but being the middle of the day almost everything was shut.

So I had a look round, then walked the 2 miles back. I was getting hotter and hotter, and more and more tired.

I got back to the hotel room, had a cold shower, and lay on the bed with the air conditioning on.

I never did that again, and realised you cannot "fight" the weather, and that walking around in that heat is no fun (and this was in June when it was in the low 30s).

I think if you go away in August, and your husband tries to take you (and children) on walks and round historical sites it will be a disaster.

I think your husband needs to subjigate his desire for a "historical" holiday and have a family holiday.

He can do the historical bit on his own.

[dzug]

How about Brittany? Take your own car on the ferry. I'd suggest somewhere like Benodet.

The only thing against it would be that it might not be warm enough. Meets all your other needs.

[puzzled54]

How about having a look at the Eurocamp (or similar) brochure? You don't say how old the children are, but mine used to enjoy our (luxury) camping holidays. They all have good pool complexes, so you could choose a site away from the beach and near to places your husband might like.

[pinktwink]

have you thought of croatia or corsica

[DONNA1458]

if you want a villa pick your area then go onto www.ownersdirect.co.uk

[auntiebertie]

Take a cruise out of Rome or Barcelona - many ports with the historicalsites for hubby, endless childrens activities for the children, spa services and adults only pool for you. All bases covered. Look up RCI Navigator of the Seas or Voyager of the Seas.

[Bloss]

Thank you so much, everyone, for all your ideas!
It is really interesting to hear about other people's experiences and get new thoughts so I can choose a holiday we can all look forward to and then enjoy together.
I will have to get busy on the net now to follow up these possibilities.
I'll give feedback once we're booked!
Thanks again.

[jp_2031]

Im not sure how many historic features Mallorca has to offer, but I go there once a year. The beaches are beautiful, and because its a small island, its possible to drive from one side to the other in a few hours, giving you a variety of activities. The beaches in Palmanova are beautiful. If you dont mind a hotel, check out the Ola Hotels website , they offer all inclusive deals at good prices.

At reguards to histocial features, there are the caves. The caves are an amazing feature to Mallorca, and quite an experience to visit.

Im not sure on any villas you can stay in, but really i think Mallorca ticks all the boxes no matter what holiday in the sun you want.

Not your cup of tea for a busy resort? Try Manorca as well. Been there once, and it is rather quiet.