Hello all! I am looking to book a European beach vacation next year and would like a quiet place with a beach to relax and unwind. Would prefer a 4+ star hotel. Any suggestions and/or recommendations?
Posted by
southwest, Missouri, U.S.A.
1717 posts
Hello mmengland. I would go to the island Naxos of Greece. (fly from Athens). Overnight accommodation in a hotel at Naxos town ("Hora"). I do not know if there is a 4 star hotel at Naxos town. There are some very pleasant hotels at Naxos town. I would ride in a bus from Naxos town, south to a beach. I like Plaka beach, at the west side of the island Naxos. Rudy Maxa (host of Video travelogues on PBS Television) said he thinks the beaches at the west side of the island Naxos are the best places in Europe for experiencing personal peace. The island Naxos is a good place for relaxing and experiencing the Mediterranean environment. At Naxos town you would have good restaurants, a tourist information office, pharmacy, internet access. And some Greek people who would enjoy conversation with you, in the English language. If you feel bored, you could go on a walking tour at the top of the hill (built by Venetians, 700 years ago) at Naxos Town ("Hora"), and ride in a bus to a smaller and quaint old village in the interior of that island. I recommend : read about NAXOS in the travel guide book "GREECE", or "GREEK ISLANDS" published by Lonely Planet. The island Naxos is in the Cyclades islands.
Posted by
Northamptonshire, England
33755 posts
I would say Sicily but don't know if we can get you that 4 star (US 4 star, not Italian 4 star?) of 5 star on the beach.
Posted by
Northamptonshire, England
33755 posts
Barcelona? Croatia?
Posted by
Northamptonshire, England
33755 posts
People like the Algarve in Portugal. Might be more relaxing than Barcelona.
Posted by
Germany
868 posts
Sardinia. IMHO the best beaches of Europe, but not much to do in case of bad weather:
Beaches of Sardinia
Posted by
Frankfurt am Main, Germany
2779 posts
The European coastline is 41,000 miles long. And it's so different everywhere. First of all think of the US coastline. There are beaches in Massachusetts which are nice in summer. They look different - and the atmosphere is different - from Florida.... and from Southern Calfifornia, and from Hawaii...
The most beautiful beaches are the Baltic Sea coast beaches in summer. Greece also has got some excellent beaches. Spain has got great beach party atmosphere, but the beaches are rather brown. Corsica island has got some beautiful secluded white sandy beaches with turqouis water - but no beachclubs.
Posted by
Calgary
2297 posts
What time of year are you going? Climates do vary along the Mediterranean. I LOVE Greek beaches in May/June but wouldn't want to go in August when it's too hot and the vegetation rather burnt.
Posted by
Rick Steves' Europe
16895 posts
The French harbor town of Cassis is near to some beaches surrounded by beautiful narrow fjords. The beaches I've found most beautiful on Greek islands have been similarly small and enclosed by rocky hills, versus long expanses. You are not limited to the beach closest to your resort/hotel. During summer, local buses will get you to other beaches on the same island.
Posted by
victoria, Canada
11507 posts
We just returned from a week in Cala d 'Or, town on Marjorrca Spain. Lovely. Google it !
We stayed at adult only resort called Interotel Cala Esmeralda and it was great. Hotel was four star but for some used to American style mega resorts it might be more like a three star,however we loved it and the town was fun, the people so friendly, the seafood awesome,the wine cheap. The water was clean and the beaches while numerous were small and white sand,.