dexters

We want to take a 4 day weekend trip to a warm, beach location in early October. We have two small children, and they have been so good on all of our city breaks that we want to just relax somewhere on the beach for this trip.

We're looking to stay in a resort with a pool and close proximity to the beach, and get out some to explore the local cuisine. We want to stay in a resort, but not a sterile "cancun" type experience, if that makes any sense.

We had decided on Croatia, but now I'm afraid it might be too chilly by October. Would Sicily be as good this time year, or perhaps Crete?

Any guidance would be much appreciated.

bilboburgler

Friends tell my Sicily is great in October. I like Cyprus at that time. Croatia is not in the Euro and probably cheaper that time of year but heading into cooler wetter period

travel2live2

Having been to both in October I would recommend both, too! The weather is gorgeous - we've gone swimming in both countries in October and have found the water to be warm.

If it is a beach trip you want I would choose Croatia. I am not a beach person but there are tons of absolutely stunning islands from which to choose.

zeppole

I am a huge fan of Sicilia and think October is one of the very best times to go, but I think you can probably find better beaches elsewhere.

However, before kissing it off completely, I'll report that I know people who have stayed in the resorts on the Aeolian Islands (Pantelleria) and LOVED it. Italians love children, and kids usually love Italian food, so you might check out some Sicilian island resorts.

bobthenavigator

I do hear that the island of Pantelleria is a wonderful beach destination but it is no where near the Aeolian Isles. It is well south of Sicily near Tunisia while the Aeolian islands are north of Sicily and are volcanic. I think Crete would be a good choice for that time of year.

zeppole

Bob is right:

I meant to type Panarea.

zeppole

Panarea resorts and hotels (I think my friends stayed at Hotel Raya):

http://www.hotelraya.it/

http://www.icastelli.net/location-85...la_piazza.html

http://www.quartarahotel.com/eng/panarea.htm

http://www.quartarahotel.com/eng/panarea.htm

And this one's on Vulcano

http://www.quartarahotel.com/eng/panarea.htm

zeppole

Sorry. This is the link to Vulcano

http://www.hotels.co.uk/hotel-italy/...erasia-resort/

Having never been to Crete, I hesitate to recommend, but I do think that it is very family oriented, and the choice of resorts is endless.

dexters

Thanks so much for all of your helpful advice.

It looks like the Airline Gods have made my decision both more difficult and easier. The only affordable flights I can find to Croatia are to Pula and Zadar, neither of which affords us the beaches we are looking for.

Crete & Cyprus are both still expensive as well.

I found a very affordable flight to Palermo, and the Aoelian islands sound right up my alley. However I'm nervous about relying on the hydro foils at that time of year (off season). Infrequent service + discount airline which may be delayed could be an invitation for disaster. I'm going to bookmark that for when we have the luxury of more time, so that we won't eat up so much time getting to and from.

So it looks like my options are Palermo, Trapani, Sardina (Alghero), or Malta. Of course there is always Southern Spain & France as well, but I was hoping for something different.