Best European Beach/Foodie/Culture & History Holiday Destination?
Jun 24th, 2014, 09:28 AM
#1
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Best European Beach/Foodie/Culture & History Holiday Destination?
Hello fellow travelers
We are seeking a European holiday destination for 10 nights offering excellence in the following during the months of June, July, and August.
1. Beach
2. Foodie
3. Culture & History
4. Manageable crowds
We are not aware of a single destination offering all of the above (maybe Capri) and would like to hear your suggestions/recommendations/experiences.
Thank you and we look forward to hearing from you!
Best Regards,
D&C
We are seeking a European holiday destination for 10 nights offering excellence in the following during the months of June, July, and August.
1. Beach
2. Foodie
3. Culture & History
4. Manageable crowds
We are not aware of a single destination offering all of the above (maybe Capri) and would like to hear your suggestions/recommendations/experiences.
Thank you and we look forward to hearing from you!
Best Regards,
D&C
Jun 24th, 2014, 09:46 AM
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I certainly wouldn't go to Capri for either food or solitude - or culture or history, for that matter, in comparison to other places.
If your idea of "foodie" is mainly about michelin-star restaurants, then I would think Catalonia might work for you. The Belgian cost in August might also be wonderful.
If your idea of "foodie" is traditional recipes, then most of coastal Italy and Spain would tick all your boxes provided you stay away from tourist magnets like the Amalfi coast. I also like Greece, but not everyone likes the food.
I can think of dozens and dozens (and dozens) of marvelous seaside areas in Europe for food, culture, history and which are not at all crowded -- so I suspect you have a different idea of what makes for a great beach stay, what it means to be a "foodie", what qualifies as culture and history.
If your idea of "foodie" is mainly about michelin-star restaurants, then I would think Catalonia might work for you. The Belgian cost in August might also be wonderful.
If your idea of "foodie" is traditional recipes, then most of coastal Italy and Spain would tick all your boxes provided you stay away from tourist magnets like the Amalfi coast. I also like Greece, but not everyone likes the food.
I can think of dozens and dozens (and dozens) of marvelous seaside areas in Europe for food, culture, history and which are not at all crowded -- so I suspect you have a different idea of what makes for a great beach stay, what it means to be a "foodie", what qualifies as culture and history.
Jun 24th, 2014, 09:50 AM
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Most countries bordering the Med and Mediterranean islands will meet the above criteria, except perhaps for one, which is manageable crowds during June, July & August.
http://www.anassa.com.cy/
Pelion in Greece has stunning beaches, watch Mama Mia to see the type of beaches as it was filmed in this area. The local food is wonderful, bucket loads of history & culture and not known to many others except Greeks and a few Europeans. You can go to Meteora from here.
http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Attract..._Thessaly.html
This beach is pebbles, but they look like marble pebbles.
http://www.anassa.com.cy/
Pelion in Greece has stunning beaches, watch Mama Mia to see the type of beaches as it was filmed in this area. The local food is wonderful, bucket loads of history & culture and not known to many others except Greeks and a few Europeans. You can go to Meteora from here.
http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Attract..._Thessaly.html
This beach is pebbles, but they look like marble pebbles.
Jun 24th, 2014, 11:41 AM
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How about Corsica - Napoleon's birth place - Ajaccio and Bastia are nice beach areas and though any warm weather area in Europe during those two months will be rather crowded IME Corsica, being an island is somewhat insulated from the horrific overcrowding found in say the French and Italian Rivieras.
Anything north of the Alps in terms on beach resorts could mean weather too cool for beaching it - warm weather places attract northern Europeans like lemmings - hard to get away from the maddening crowds.
Anything north of the Alps in terms on beach resorts could mean weather too cool for beaching it - warm weather places attract northern Europeans like lemmings - hard to get away from the maddening crowds.
Jun 24th, 2014, 02:05 PM
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If all four are necessary, go to the Caribbean. You probably cannot get #4 in Europe. Carib will be better on #1. Europe will be superior on #3.
If you could have it all, you wouldn't need the Internet . . .
;-)
If you could have it all, you wouldn't need the Internet . . .
;-)
Jun 24th, 2014, 02:09 PM
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We love Sicily but things are spread out. If a car is OK, the food and the antiquities are spectacular there. Almost everything in Donostia is walkable and then you can a bus or rent a car to see other things
Jun 25th, 2014, 12:48 AM
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<<If all four are necessary, go to the Caribbean>> Very true. In the summer, you can have beaches almost completely to yourself, the water is warmer than the Med too. But it is also hurricane season.
Jun 25th, 2014, 01:53 AM
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We loved the food in San Sebastian. You will need to book your reservations for the best restaurants now. Restaurants like Mugaritz and Arzak are booked up months in advance. See others here: http://www.hlondres.com/en/concierge...-san-sebastian
The beaches are beautiful, and it is a good base to visit surrounding towns as well.
The beaches are beautiful, and it is a good base to visit surrounding towns as well.
Jun 25th, 2014, 03:49 AM
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Here are our photos of San Sebastián - beautiful beach and lots of good photos!
https://www.flickr.com/photos/pug_gi...7644330328153/
https://www.flickr.com/photos/pug_gi...7644330328153/
Jun 25th, 2014, 06:23 AM
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Thank you all for your kind responses and insight. I guess I should provide a bit more clarification re: our preferences.
1. Beach - we are a bit spoiled as we have been to Hawai'i (Kaua'i, Mau'i, and the Big Island) on many occasions and love the beaches, water color, water temperature, water clarity, snorkeling, surfing. This type of "beach" and water activity is preferred.
2. Foodie - we prefer great local atmosphere, cuisine/wine, and service (where the locals go) and maybe dinner at a Michelin rated restaurant. We love to learn about the local/regional/country culture through food. An excellent example is our favorite restaurant, La Giostra, in Florence, Italy - (not in the main piazza, small and local family owned/operated, intimate setting, excellent food and service, great for both couples and families).
3. Culture & History - we love learning about the local/regional/country history by taking 1/2 day to visit archeological sites (both religious and non-religious), historical and art museums, hiking along historical paths, nature parks/zoos, local shopping areas (where the locals shop for clothing, etc...).
4. Manageable Crowds - Prefer beaches that are not wall-to-wall people and restaurants where line is manageable (30-45min wait between 6pm and 8pm). Not interested in lines for museums, zoos, archeological sites and prefer to provide self-guided tours of these venues.
I hope this provides everyone better insight into what we are looking for in a European beach/culture/foodie holiday during the summer months. We fully realize this may not be attainable in Europe and may decide head to our traditional Hawai'i beach summer holiday.
Thank you again! We hope to hear more thoughts from everyone!
Best Regards,
D&C
1. Beach - we are a bit spoiled as we have been to Hawai'i (Kaua'i, Mau'i, and the Big Island) on many occasions and love the beaches, water color, water temperature, water clarity, snorkeling, surfing. This type of "beach" and water activity is preferred.
2. Foodie - we prefer great local atmosphere, cuisine/wine, and service (where the locals go) and maybe dinner at a Michelin rated restaurant. We love to learn about the local/regional/country culture through food. An excellent example is our favorite restaurant, La Giostra, in Florence, Italy - (not in the main piazza, small and local family owned/operated, intimate setting, excellent food and service, great for both couples and families).
3. Culture & History - we love learning about the local/regional/country history by taking 1/2 day to visit archeological sites (both religious and non-religious), historical and art museums, hiking along historical paths, nature parks/zoos, local shopping areas (where the locals shop for clothing, etc...).
4. Manageable Crowds - Prefer beaches that are not wall-to-wall people and restaurants where line is manageable (30-45min wait between 6pm and 8pm). Not interested in lines for museums, zoos, archeological sites and prefer to provide self-guided tours of these venues.
I hope this provides everyone better insight into what we are looking for in a European beach/culture/foodie holiday during the summer months. We fully realize this may not be attainable in Europe and may decide head to our traditional Hawai'i beach summer holiday.
Thank you again! We hope to hear more thoughts from everyone!
Best Regards,
D&C
Jun 25th, 2014, 06:36 AM
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We haven't actually been there yet, but based on my research for our upcoming trip to Crete... you might want to take a look there.
1. some of the best sandy beaches in Europe
2. well-known for its local/regional cuisine
3. the cradle of western civilization, with layers on layers of history
4. crowds in the resort towns in summer might be an issue, but not so much if you drive further afield
Best of luck.
1. some of the best sandy beaches in Europe
2. well-known for its local/regional cuisine
3. the cradle of western civilization, with layers on layers of history
4. crowds in the resort towns in summer might be an issue, but not so much if you drive further afield
Best of luck.
Jun 25th, 2014, 06:53 AM
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O Norse deity: "summer" isn't hurricane season in the Carib. The hurricanes are late August to September. June and July 'canes are rarities. And the 'canes have been remarkably quiet for more than half a decade, despite dire predictions.
Jun 25th, 2014, 07:09 AM
#18
Just had a bike-by at Ile de Re, outside of August the place is quiet (never seen a queue here yet and I never waited to eat for 30 minutes in my life) the food is exceptional, the wine ditto. The beaches wonderful but maybe a bit cold for the weak, still sheltered pools pretty good. History, well the Protestants had a struggle with the Catholics here along with Cardinal Riechleu and the Duke of Buckingham (think Dumas the younger). This continues into the cote sauvage though I find the food is less good here for some reason.
If you need the warmer water then the mouth of the Gironde may be a bit better, last week I saw a 1km beach with just me and Mrs Bilbo on it at 11am (ah and three life guards)26C with fine dining a two minute bike ride away, hotels are basically empty in June and early July.
Don't get me started on the Gold coast by Bordeaux, needless to say the Oysters are pretty serious as you go south and the massive dunes (normally lonely) are fantastically warm with the surfing working off Atlantic rollers, great for newbies as well as the more experienced without a death wish.
Did I mention no queues?
If you need the warmer water then the mouth of the Gironde may be a bit better, last week I saw a 1km beach with just me and Mrs Bilbo on it at 11am (ah and three life guards)26C with fine dining a two minute bike ride away, hotels are basically empty in June and early July.
Don't get me started on the Gold coast by Bordeaux, needless to say the Oysters are pretty serious as you go south and the massive dunes (normally lonely) are fantastically warm with the surfing working off Atlantic rollers, great for newbies as well as the more experienced without a death wish.
Did I mention no queues?
Jun 25th, 2014, 08:53 AM
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BigRuss: You are correct of course, the hurricane season is from 1st June to 30th November, June, July & August are within that timeframe. I'm a big fan of going during that time, as it is very quiet on the beaches.
There are no beaches like anything in Hawaii, you might get water clarity in places but not water temperature. There is no snorkelling like Hawaii esp in the Med which has been overfished for years and is mostly sandy bottom. There are several good surfing spots though. You may need to adjust your expectations.
I don't think you'll find too many lines for restaurants between 6pm and 8pm. That's far too early for dinner in hot climates, esp at 6pm. Since most of Europe is on holiday in these months, lines for archeological sights etc might be inevitable.
There are no beaches like anything in Hawaii, you might get water clarity in places but not water temperature. There is no snorkelling like Hawaii esp in the Med which has been overfished for years and is mostly sandy bottom. There are several good surfing spots though. You may need to adjust your expectations.
I don't think you'll find too many lines for restaurants between 6pm and 8pm. That's far too early for dinner in hot climates, esp at 6pm. Since most of Europe is on holiday in these months, lines for archeological sights etc might be inevitable.
