Quiet, hot and relaxing holiday in Europe..??

[thedelbwa]

Me and the missus looking at going away late-June, early-July to somewhere in Europe for a fortnight, somewhere hot, no 18-30 type hotels or towns, very local-type place, relaxation I think is important, plenty of nice restaurants with local food, poss close to the coast, enough to keep us occupied for the duration, but not necessarily loads to do...within distance of a good town / city. I know this is rather vague, but has anyone any decent suggestions? Was thinking of possibly Croatia, but not sure. Thanks very much for all your help.

[redcrx]

how about Sorrento, italy?
Buses and trains run to Pompei, Naples, Amalfi and all the little places in between. Boats to Capri and Naples.
Many hotels have day trips to all the big touristy places and even Rome and places further afield.
Not much of a beach but there are places to swim

[Buenchico]

Like Redcrx, my thoughts turn to Italy.

I'd suggest Rapallo, in Liguria, just along the coast from Genoa. It's busy enough to have plenty of hotels and restaurants (many of which have terraces facing onto a beautiful bay) but still small enough to have individual charm.

Rapallo is easily accessed by flying to Genoa and taking the cheap, frequent train service which serves lots of interesting coastal towns and villages. (The old city of Genoa is well worth exploring. Genoa also provides plenty of shopping opportunities). You can also explore Cinque Terre or take a boat across to the billionaire's resort of Portofino, on a nearby headland.

http://www.turismoinliguria.it/lirgw/turismo/e p/preHome.do

http://www.cinqueterre.it/en/index.asp

http://www.apt.genova.it/inglese/index_gb.htm

Chris

[thedelbwa]

Cheers folks - will check that out

[redcrx]

I can recommend this hotel in Sorrento which is on the hill overlooking the town. There is a hotel bus that runs to the town http://www.aminta.co.uk/

[JK2]

What about Lake Garda. I stayed in Garda town last year and it seems perfect for what you want. Relaxed, loads of restaurants, small pretty local town, leisurely visits to other places around the Lake, easy access to Verona and -a little further away -Venice. You can also get to Milan.

[JK2]

Another suggestion would be Antalya, southern Turkey. Stay in Kaleici - the old Roman walled harbour part of Antalya in one of the lovely restored Ottoman mansion hotels (I stay at the Marina Residence -4/5 star standard). From mid June to Mid July there is a fantastic Opera/Ballet festival which takes place in a 2000 year old amphitheatre at Aspendos (30 mins from Antalya). Temperature is pretty hot at that time 85+. Excellent day trips from there or 2 night trips away to Konya to see the home town of the Whirling Dervishes and then on to wonderful Cappadocia. Have a look at the Metak brochure for reasonable prices.

[Christinehol]

Try the island of Ischia just off the coast of Naples. Take a cheap flight to Naples then get a bus or cab to the port. There you will find frequent ferries to the island. It is a small island but oh so beautiful. Ischia Town is busy and has lots of shops (right up to the top designers). You can stay at any resort as the local bus goes all round the island about every 15 minutes. You will find something different to do there every day for a week. It even has a mountain you can climb. Every kind of eating place from quick and cheerful to very exclusive (to cater to the very rich yatch owners who visit. Look it up on the internet.