Sunshine in May

flyingkiwiDK

Dear lifers

I'm after some holiday advice..

I am thinking of taking the family away for 7 nights in May. We are not usually ones for Charter holidays but in this case we just want a hassle free time with some decent weather thrown in to the mix. Our criteria is as follows: -

Reasonably warm (18c plus)
Within 5 flying time hours of Denmark (1 hour ahead of UK)
Family friendly
Decent beach
A bit of culture
Scenic walks

We were thinking maybe Majorca, Algarve, Malta or Tenerife but to be honest with you I don't really know much about any of these places.

We don't really fancy Cyprus, Turkey or Egypt.

Btw our kids are aged 5 and 3.

Thanks in advance!

Fk

Cardinal Sin

Lanzarote - south of the island (Costa Blanca). Try Optima Villas.

C_A_F_C

The Greek Islands?

Wheresmeticket

Morocco. Fly to Marrakech, then drive, taxi or coach to Essaouira. Check it out on the web.

Wheresmeticket

Or Tarifa in southern Spain?

flyingkiwiDK

C_A_F_C said:

The Greek Islands?

Yeah we thought of that too. Any in particular you would suggest?

flyingkiwiDK

Wheresmeticket? said:

Morocco. Fly to Marrakech, then drive, taxi or coach to Essaouira. Check it out on the web.

Not sure my wife fancies Morocco. She is a typical feminist Dane and doesn't like the way they look at western women

flyingkiwiDK

Wheresmeticket? said:

Or Tarifa in southern Spain?

Sounds good but might be a bit tricky getting there from Copenhagen

Wheresmeticket

flyingkiwiDK said:

Wheresmeticket? said:

Morocco. Fly to Marrakech, then drive, taxi or coach to Essaouira. Check it out on the web.

Not sure my wife fancies Morocco. She is a typical feminist Dane and doesn't like the way they look at western women

Is she blonde? If so, definitely fair point.

flyingkiwiDK

Wheresmeticket? said:

flyingkiwiDK said:

Wheresmeticket? said:

Morocco. Fly to Marrakech, then drive, taxi or coach to Essaouira. Check it out on the web.

Not sure my wife fancies Morocco. She is a typical feminist Dane and doesn't like the way they look at western women

Is she blonde? If so, definitely fair point.

Brunette

Wheresmeticket

Probably still a fair point I'm sorry to say. I'm off there myself next week and love the place. But I'm male, grey, slightly overweight and 53. Amsterdam is the only place I would ever get uninvited attention from the opposite sex these days....

Davo55

Northern Costa Brava is beautiful at that time of year. Look at Calella de Palafrugell, Tamariu or Llafranc. I know this area well and could advise further if needed.

Worth also looking at Dubai - though probably doesn't hit the scenic walks criteria (unless you have a pet camel). Interesting place and great beaches if you chose the right hotel.

Italian riveria nice and often overlooked - Portofino is gorgeous but Santa Margherita probably better for family

Lincsaddick

flyingkiwiDK said:

C_A_F_C said:

The Greek Islands?

Yeah we thought of that too. Any in particular you would suggest?

Kos fly straight to the island .. good start/stop point for a bit of island hopping .. many of the 'boatmen' spend summer in Greece and winter in Australia and speak da gooda English .. ask around and you'll get some good days out .. if that is what you like

flyingkiwiDK

Thanks for the advice everyone. Keep it coming!

Oggy Red

What's wrong with Cornwall ?


Oh, yeah ...... the weather.

ShootersHillGuru

Mays a risky month in Europe. You can hit it off or come unstuck. Canary Islands reduces that risk significantly. Lanzarote would be my choice.

MrLargo

flyingkiwiDK said:

C_A_F_C said:

The Greek Islands?

Yeah we thought of that too. Any in particular you would suggest?

Santorini and Skiathos both very nice, and tick all of your boxes. Santorini has a bit more to offer in terms of sightseeing. It's a volcanic island and the beaches have black sand, fine for lying on with a towel but you need something on your feet to walk on it as it gets pretty hot.

[Deleted User]

Majorca would be good. I really like the north eastern parts of the island which offer a completely different holiday experience to magaluf/bannerman.

avg temp for may is 18-20 degrees.

Both times i have been the packages were very reasonable although take a star off each of the hotel ratings as a good rule of thumb.

I can recommend canyamel and cala bona as nice seaside plaves to stay. Was impresssed by the general standard of restaurants but worth doing some research to avoid the odd crappy one or two that do exist

The_President

I've heard that this place called Floyd Road in London around May time is pretty good - lots of celebrations and fireworks to be seen - some local sporting fiesta i'm told !

MrLargo

The_President said:

I've heard that this place called Floyd Road in London around May time is pretty good - lots of celebrations and fireworks to be seen - some local sporting fiesta i'm told !

Are they doing that celebrity 5-aside tournament again then?

paulsturgess

flyingkiwiDK said:

Wheresmeticket? said:

Or Tarifa in southern Spain?

Sounds good but might be a bit tricky getting there from Copenhagen

Certainly wouldnt recommend Tarifa. Its primarily a surfing / windsurfing resort, and as such is very windy and beaches arent exceptional. Its quite lively as a result but more with youngsters than families.

Mendonca In Asdas

Blackpool.

The_President

Davo55 said:

Northern Costa Brava is beautiful at that time of year. Look at Calella de Palafrugell, Tamariu or Llafranc. I know this area well and could advise further if needed.

Worth also looking at Dubai - though probably doesn't hit the scenic walks criteria (unless you have a pet camel). Interesting place and great beaches if you chose the right hotel.

Italian riveria nice and often overlooked - Portofino is gorgeous but Santa Margherita probably better for family</blockquote


Davo, absolutely agree. Tamariu,LLafranc and Sa Riera absolutely stunning. Most people miss out the Coast North of Barcelona, but it is absolutely beautiful - also Empurias for BC Greek ruins is amazing - then again, maybe not for the kiddies.Also Salvador Dali birthplace and museum in Figueras.Fly to Gerona if you can.
Tamariu Hotel is wonderful, right on the beach,family run.Kids would love it.

Steve Dowman

be careful not to book up on the day we are playing in the Cup Final.

Hartleypete

MrLargo said:

flyingkiwiDK said:

C_A_F_C said:

The Greek Islands?

Yeah we thought of that too. Any in particular you would suggest?

Santorini and Skiathos both very nice, and tick all of your boxes. Santorini has a bit more to offer in terms of sightseeing. It's a volcanic island and the beaches have black sand, fine for lying on with a towel but you need something on your feet to walk on it as it gets pretty hot.

Went to Santorini last year lovely place also Kefalonia although haven't been for sometime.

Davo55

The_President said:

Davo55 said:

Northern Costa Brava is beautiful at that time of year. Look at Calella de Palafrugell, Tamariu or Llafranc. I know this area well and could advise further if needed.

Worth also looking at Dubai - though probably doesn't hit the scenic walks criteria (unless you have a pet camel). Interesting place and great beaches if you chose the right hotel.

Italian riveria nice and often overlooked - Portofino is gorgeous but Santa Margherita probably better for family

You and me on the same page my friend. Empurias has some great beaches just outside the gates so also nice for kiddies. Also good to get to Cadaques up near the French border, Banyoles up in the mountains, Figueras for the Dali museum. Loads in the region, and quite beautiful in May with all the wild poppies and other flowers in the fields. Used to have a place in Calella de Palafrugell and still like to go back from time to time.

AddickUpNorth

Crete is nice. Aghios Nikolaos has drawn me in twice, Elounda is also worth considering. Both though are a couple of hours transfer unless you get a cab. Gouves is handier to the airport. Not sure what the weather in May is like but I'd wager it's better than here.

Leroy Ambrose

Fuerteventua ticks your boxes. It's pretty much guaranteed to be sunny, shouldn't be too hot, and is a lot quieter and nicer than Lanzagrotty or Gran Canaria. Try looking at Corralejo in the North of the island. My mum lives there - it's lovely.

suzisausage

Elounda or Agious Nikolaous (sp?) in Crete or Perissa in Santorini are both great. Went Santorini in May, start of season, it was quiet but open enough to have a great time. Weather nice too. Sand black and boiling. Sunsets beautiful. Boat trips good for families, you can jump off the tour boats (or use slides) into the sea around the island. Hot springs or visit Oia or the market towns.

The_President

Davo55 said:

The_President said:

Davo55 said:

Northern Costa Brava is beautiful at that time of year. Look at Calella de Palafrugell, Tamariu or Llafranc. I know this area well and could advise further if needed.

Worth also looking at Dubai - though probably doesn't hit the scenic walks criteria (unless you have a pet camel). Interesting place and great beaches if you chose the right hotel.

Italian riveria nice and often overlooked - Portofino is gorgeous but Santa Margherita probably better for family

You and me on the same page my friend. Empurias has some great beaches just outside the gates so also nice for kiddies. Also good to get to Cadaques up near the French border, Banyoles up in the mountains, Figueras for the Dali museum. Loads in the region, and quite beautiful in May with all the wild poppies and other flowers in the fields. Used to have a place in Calella de Palafrugell and still like to go back from time to time.

Ah , memories ! - of Medieval villages like Peretellada and Pals - absolutely beautiful.
Used to frequent the area very often, as (ex) relatives lived in L'Escala.

kimbo

We went to Peloponnese in Greece. Was lovely. Very peaceful and beautiful. Lovely beach at Voidolika.