Beaches and culture South France, Spain, or ?
 

Howdy folks,

I will be in Holland the second week of May with my wife and twin 6 year olds.
We are hoping to find a beach warm enough to use in Europe that will provide a cultural experience as well.
I have been looking at Spain and or the South of France.
We are really open to any ideas though.
We have about two weeks for this part of our trip.
Any help is greatly appreciated.

I can't think of anywhere in southern Europe where it would be warm enough to swim in May, if that's what you're thinking. As for culture, depends what you want. The Mediterranean is littered with lovely towns with plenty of cultural offerings.

I love Collioure in southern France just north of the Spanish border.

I love Collioure as well, and in May it wouldn't be overcrowded, as it is in summer. Doubt you could swim there in May, though.

We have never been to Europe so not exactly sure what were looking for.
Swimming beaches are pretty important to the children though.
We love architecture friendly people seafood.
Maybe i should split the two weeks up?
thanks for the help and please keep the feedback coming!

We also have the opportunity to push the trip back to first week of June.

You'd have to fly to the Canary Islands for it to be warm enough for the beach in May. As far as experiencing the culture of southern France and northern Spain, along the coast, you can visit the Basque country (Pays Basque and País Vasco) on the Atlantic side (great food and wine, as well as scenery) or the Catalan and Provence on the Med (again, great food, wine and scenery).

Sometimes one has to make a tough choice.

Wow Collioure looks awesome!

If you don't change to June, you could think about Crete; the southern coast should have warm enough water by mid-May.

Collioure is awesome but if swimming is important to the kids water temp is something to think about. Here is a chart that shows average water temps in Collioure by month.

http://www.surf-forecast.com/breaks/...re-Bay/seatemp

There is a difference between serious swimming for extended periods, and enjoying a beach. If you want to enjoy a beach with two 6-year-olds, plus be in a pretty town, then you could have a grand time in Marbella, or 1in Albufeira (though it is on the Atlantic, so running in and getting toes wet will be wonderful, but not much more than that), or on Lido (not only will the Adriatic be splashable, but Venice is next door). There are many other beach towns that could be doable in the same vein, but they might be depressingly empty that time of year. Villefranche Sur Mer might be very pleasant though. Or Camogli.

going to check Marbella on google.
And yes splashing around is fine .
thanks for all the input everyone!!!!!

>>>>>going to check Marbella on google.

To follow up more, Marbella is a semi-upscale resort. "Semi" because anybody and everybody goes there (plus the movie stars); although the town is pretty, it is basically just a pretty town, and beach. Daytrips are a little bit limited.

Lido is not only a friendly beach for kids that age, but you can ride boats all day long, and see all of Venice - - it is at your beck and call; on Lido there are a couple decent supermarkets, passable gelato, and you can kick a ball around by the fountains in the very Italian center in the evenings.

Albufeira has a nice beach with character and style; daytrips include pretty towns like Tavira, a fortress like Castro Marim, and even more secluded and amazing beaches with remarkable cliff formations and outcroppings.

Villefranche is kind of small, but Nice is next door with all its sensual delights, and even Antibes is worth considering - - there are a couple small beaches, but kids will love them, and the town has a wonderful market and many charms. Villefranche, Nice, Antibes, and parts beyond are connected by great train service taking just minutes between them.

If you might prefer the Italian lifestyle, then Camogli and Sta. Margherite Ligure have small beaches (but this is no problem if you have small children) and gorgeous pastel & trompe-l'oil towns, with great gelato, and delightful passagiata in the early evenings, with loads of kids, soccer balls bouncing about, and everything dolce vita; the Cinque Terre is also an hour train ride for great daytripping.

May is well into the beach season in the South of Spain. Daily highs about 80F based on past 15 years statistics. Beaches start to fill up in April. Expect sea temperatures about 65F.

Take a look at small Nerja (pop 22 000), nine small and large beaches between the cliffs. Has got everything that makes it popular with tourists, but it has also kept much of its small-town charm. http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2622/...de6a8146_o.jpg

Nerja is close to wonderful big cities with great sights and genuine Andalusian atmosphere such as Málaga (35 miles) and Granada with the world famous Alhambra (70 miles). Buses all the time to and from Nerja, and very doable as day-trips.

Granada: http://www.andalucia.com/cities/gran...hamhistory.htm
Málaga: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/ci...-treasure.html

Just outside town you'll find the spectacular Nerja caves, inhabited from 25000 BC until the Bronze Age. Rediscovered in 1959 by some local boys, and today one of the major tourist attractions in Andalucía: http://www.cuevadenerja.es/index.php?lenguaje=en

Always updated info about Nerja: http://www.nerjatoday.com/

We stayed outside Marbella on a trip and it has it's pluses and minuses - the beach there is good, flat, SANDY, nice restaurants and such. You can day trip along the coast - some white villlages and Gibraltar - your boys would probably love the apes! I also did a day trip to the Alhambra from there so definately there is some culture. You might be able to day trip to Tangiers as well. There are also ALOT of Brits and signs for "bangers and mash" that do detract a bit from the Spanish atmosphere. But weather-wise it will probably be very pleasant in May, warmer than some of the other choices.

... and if you're looking for the freshest fish and seafood, Nerja is a paradise. Children are very welcome everywhere, and many places have outdoor terraces. No fuzz Marisquería La Marina on Plaza la Marina (with a small playground) is extremely popular with both locals and tourists. As good as you get a seafood freiduría in all of the South of Spain. Have splurged here on numerous occations:
http://www.guideofnerja.com/pages/gu.../marina_en.htm
http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Restaur...Andalucia.html

Other excellent seafood options in Nerja:
Puerta del Mar with excellent views: http://www.guideofnerja.com/pages/gutierrez/pmar_en.htm
Genuine La Puntilla up in the beautiful Old town. The best atmosphere:
http://www.tripadvisor.com/Restauran...Andalucia.html
http://www.nerjatoday.com/barsandres...s/la-puntilla/
Fabulous fish and seafood tapas grilled on the spot at El Pulguilla. Free to choose with every drink of whatever in the bar area (as in most places in Nerja. Here a drink and a tapa would be 1.60€). Also full meals in the restaurant part or out in the terrace in the back:
http://www.nerjatoday.com/barsandres.../el-pulguilla/
http://www.tripadvisor.com/Restauran...Andalucia.html

Out of the nine beaches in Nerja, Calahonda beach is probably the kids' favourite. http://www.nerjatoday.com/nerjabeachguide/calahonda/

we will stay in nerja last week of may can anyone help with a really nice hotel that caters to families close to beach thanks everyone

In Nerja you should stay in or around seafront Calle Carabeo, the oldest street in town. In or very close to the beautiful old part of town with lots of small bars/restaurants that are also very popular with locals.

Calle Carabeo runs along these cliffs, and all my hotel suggestions are in or very close to this street. http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2622/...de6a8146_o.jpg

Parador de Nerja: http://www.booking.com/hotel/es/para...-nerja.en.html

Hotel Paraiso del Mar: http://www.hotelparaisodelmar.es/en/welcome

Hotel Carabeo: http://www.hotelcarabeo.com/

Hotel Puerta del Mar: http://www.booking.com/hotel/es/puer...Fccl3godgkPsJg

Hotel Balcón de Europa: http://www.balcondeeuropa.com/index.html

Apartamentos Balcón de Carabeo (just above the little beach on the Nerja photo): http://www.booking.com/hotel/es/apar...arabeo.en.html

Apartamentos Toboso: http://www.booking.com/hotel/es/apar...toboso.en.html

.. and you might want to check out some high standard apartments in the same area. These are all in the best location in town. Would also be more affordable than staying in a hotel.

10 apartments in Calle Carabeo. I use to stay here. Street view of Calle Carabeo at the bottom of the page:
http://www.hocosol.com/obmp30/hotelp...p?id=175&ln=en

Tuhillo apartments. My brothers family (with 3 kids) stayed here last summer and they were all extremely happy:
http://www.inter-sol.com/tuhillo.html
http://www.holiday-rentals.co.uk/Spa...own/p55428.htm