sandralist

Honestly, after reading your post, I think you should stick with Hawaii. I confess I have never been to Hawaii, but one of the reasons I have never been is because it has zero cultural interest for me and if I've ever eaten Hawaiian food, I have no recollection of it.

What I don't get is why you repeatedly enjoy a Hawaiian vacation, but in assessing the worth of a European vacation, it suddenly has to meet all these criteria that you don't apply when you go to Hawaii. There are a zillion European beach destinations that would tick all your boxes except for large stretches of white sand.

bilboburgler

Ehem, Bordeaux coast buried in the stuff, for miles and miles and in some of the biggest dunes.

sandralist

sure, but Bordeaux it is not tropical blues, sultry winds, yada yada. Re-read the original post. They are looking for a certain sensuality that most of Europe doesn't offer in the way that tropical climates do. I think going to Europe will just confirm for them the notion that Europe doesn't offer the kind of beach they like.

IMDonehere

Boy, I am glad Sandra is here to straighten out all these wayward advice givers. Thanks List!

bilboburgler

Nah, saw no sultry. Sensuality not discussed. ;-)

Meanwhile back in Bordeaux. Not a cloud in the sky last week. Zephyrs all week.

I'd also look at the some of the smaller coves around Bodrum Turkey, while diving I'd look at the Red Sea resorts which are very safe with amazing diving. If worried by Egypt go to Eilat or many of the Greek islands.

The list is endless. All the ideas above are pretty good.

jelopez33

Dmiclat:
You can think about Valencia. You can find there almost all you are looking for, plus lots of day trips via AVE high speed train, think of the museums in Madrid as an example. Of course, lots of heat!.
Good search and enjoy your choice!

dmiclat

Sandralist and all others

Thank you for the feedback and I understand your comments re: staying with Hawai'i.

We loved our holiday in Italy (Florence, Rome, Pisa) and wanted to combine that wonderful art/history/culture/food experience with our other favorite holiday experience - beach, sun, more good food/wine, and culture.

We envision a 12-14 night holiday in either a single location or split the time between 2 locations. Our preference would be to accomplish everything in a single location.

After doing some additional research, we are considering Santorini and maybe one other location (e.g. maybe Athens or Crete or Kefalonia or Macedonia/Halkidiki) .

We welcome everyone's thoughts on a Santorini-alone or Santorini + 1 other location holiday.

Thank you!

Best Regards,
D&C

artsnletters

Maybe I'll get shot down here, but I didn't find the cuisine on Santorini particularly interesting, the beaches are pebbles, and other than Akrotiri (which as archaeological sites go isn't all that) and Ancient Thera, there aren't cultural/historical sights. It was packed with tourists in May and will only be worse come summer. From what I saw, most of the island is completely geared toward tourism, so if you want to go where the locals go, I'd wish you luck. I don't think Santorini fits your bill at all.

Rhodes, on the other hand, offers a lot you might like. I'm not a beach person, but I certainly saw some nice enough beaches and the water is clear and blue. I had some good meals there, and there are plenty of cultural/historical type sights to keep you busy. I don't know about crowds in summer, having visited in spring, but if you stay away from Rhodes town and Lindos, might not be bad at all. Check it out.

kleeblatt

dmiclat:

Santorini? Your list and your destination do not match however, if it's your vacation. Enjoy beautiful but crowded Santorini.

bilboburgler

I just love the idea of visiting a culture

ekscrunchy

My trips are often food focused and I can tell you that I was very disappointed in the food on Santorini. The island is likely to be packed with cruise tourists during the day, and I am not sure how much "culture" there is to be found. Also did not see many white-sand beaches, although there may well be some. It is a beautiful island, but I would not return.

Have you considered Barcelona? The idea of Valencia is a good one as well. You could split the trip between the two cities, and also maybe visit one of the nearby beach towns.

Southern Italy? (Not Capri or Amalfi Coast; what gave you the idea that Capri has marvelous beaches and few crowds?)

You are unlikely to find any coastal area in Europe that is not packed with people during the summer.

Are you planning for THIS year?

Are you comfortable in places where little English is spoken? Are you comfortable renting a car?

ekscrunchy

Also, what kind of hotel budget do you have?

bilboburgler

This whole idea of queuing for a restaurant. Don't they have an App for that? I just use a 'phone but I understand the little plastic things people carry around can solve these problems as you walk and talk.

BigRuss

<<This whole idea of queuing for a restaurant. Don't they have an App for that?>>

Or even queuing for a restaurant between 6 and 8 in Southern Europe: won't happen in Spain, Greece or France. Residents don't get arsed about eating until 9.

Queuing for a restaurant is a Caribbean all-inclusive concept.

As for Santorini - the main beaches are rocks. And hot ones at that - you'll definitely heat-proof your feet at Kamari because the black volcanic rock is hot enough for cooking.

HappyTrvlr

The last place I would visit for beaches is Santorini. I have no desire to return there either, over run with cruise ship tours.

Bill_H

Just got back from San Sebastian, Spain ... fits your first two points perfectly (beach, great food). For crowds, well we go in May or October when there are no crowds ... I think anywhere in Europe you'll find a lot of crowding in August. For culture, a day trip to Bilbao to the 2 top museums there might qualify.

dmiclat

All

Thank you for your continued feedback. Needless to say, I am quickly retreating from Santorini as a destination - I'm not at all interested in fighting tourist crowds for few services (restaurants), historical sites, and even fewer beach locations.

As a brief side note, I do realize that both Santorini and Capri do not offer the traditional golden sand beach that our family is accustomed to enjoying in Hawai'i. Our further investigation into Capri is more of an "Mediterranean island with beautiful water, sights, seaside infinity pools and good food/culture. Not much history/archeology on Capri but it definitely would provide us with a bit of upscale island vacation - sort of a Maui in the Med minus the golden beaches.

We've also started to look at alternatives like the Silver Coast of Portugal (thank you westholidays) and other Med islands such as Corsica and Sardinia. Below is a description of Corsica we found on LonelyPlanet.com - can anyone attest to the accuracy of this description? How are the hotels and cuisine on Corsica? We are looking to spend 4-5 stars out of 5 stars on lodging and a total of 7-9 nights. Would we become bored for this duration of a holiday on Corsica?

"Corsica is for (beach) lovers, scuba divers, snorkelers. And culture buffs. And hikers. And divers. It combines vast stretches of shoreline with the beauty of the mountains, plenty of activities for your body and some rich history to engage your mind.

Jutting out of the Med like an impregnable fortress, Corsica resembles a miniature continent, with astounding geographical diversity. Within half an hour, the landscape morphs from glittering bays, glitzy coastal cities and fabulous beaches to sawtooth peaks, breathtaking valleys, dense forests and enigmatic hilltop villages. The scenery that unfurls along the island’s crooked roads will have you constantly stopping to whip out your camera."

Thank you!

D&C

snowgirls

Been to tons of beachy places worldwide and was enchanted by staying going to Ile De Re. Nearby La Rochelle rocks with history, food, an aquarium and shopping to the max. Nighlife around the main port was a crazy mix of wall to wall food places, yachts, bands, jugglers, and high spirits. Best summer place I have been to in France.

sandralist

Caori and Corsica are glittering tourist enclaves. They are not food destinations, or destinations for culture and history. And they are overrun with crowds of tourists. Your original list of requirements excludes the places you are now salivating over.

I am not judgmental about what you want, but just pointing out that your needs are fairly simple and can be met in any number of glitzy seaside resorts in Europe. However, why bother to go when Maui has what you want? What's the point --- for YOU--???

ekscrunchy

I mentioned Barcelona above...have you discounted that city for any reason? What about San Sebastian?

Brittany has good beaches and food, as well as prehistoric sites. Normandy might also be good for you.

As far as food, are you ok with simple or rustic restaurants, or would you prefer menus in English and linens on the tablecloths?

The hotel stars mean little in Italy or Spain..better to give an idea of daily hotel budget.

Cilento region of Italy has very good beaches, excellent food, and the temples and museum at Paestum.


Are you comfortable with little or no English spoken? Comfortable with renting a car? I asked these questions above but perhaps you missed them......