Hello! I’m looking for a fairly last minute solo trip destination (within six weeks) and need some help. I’m looking for sea, sand, safety, culture, and good public transportation. I have some mobility issues, so being able to rest on the beach is a must, and I don’t really want to rent a car alone. Last year, Antibes fit the bill. Where to go now? Locales running through my head include Mallorca, the Algarve, and Sicily. Thoughts on those or other places are appreciated!
Posted by
Surrey, UK
502 posts
Fly to Verona, day or so there, then train to Dezenzano on Lake Garda.
Posted by
Chicagoland
1115 posts
Unless money is not a consideration, go to Google flights. Plug in your home airport to "southern Europe" for example. Choose "one week in September" or whatever. Learn what's in your budget and go from there.
There is no point suggesting a place that requires 3 flights and 20 hours of travel with mobility issues.
Good luck.
Posted by
London
634 posts
There are so many great places in the Mediterranean you could visit this time of year! Tho in general I would try to go before end of September to get the best weather. I've not been to Algarve so can't comment on it. Mallorca has an excellent bus system and many beautiful beaches. In Sicily we found it easy to get around on the train along the north/northeast of the island (from Palermo to Taormina) and if you're able to get on and off a ferry the Aeolian Islands would work as well. Sardinia and Corsica are a bit more challenging without a car so I might rule those out. Most of the big Greek islands have good bus service and personally those are my favourite beaches. I don't think there are any bad ones (tho certainly there are areas of some islands that you may want to avoid if you're not looking exclusively for nightlife) so I would see where you could easily get to if Greece was of interest. In terms of culture, my favourites would be Sicily or Crete. Some other good options would be Malta, Dalmatian coast in Croatia, or Aegean coast in Turkey. Good luck deciding.
Posted by
OP
northville
27 posts
Thank you for these ideas! Cat, do you have experience with public transportation in Crete? I’ve wanted to go there, but everything seems so spread out.
Posted by
Colorado
2278 posts
I’ve been to Crete several times, using only public transportation. There’s a good bus system, and wonderful ferries along the southwest coast that link a string of little villages.
If you decide on Crete, post a new request in the Greek forum, let us know how much time you have, and you’ll get lots of ideas.
Posted by
SoCal
1988 posts
Málaga is another great place for what you're describing. The beach towns to its west (including Torremolinos, Benalmadena and Fuengirola, among others) are easily reached by public transit from the airport. It has the considerable advantage of being inexpensive.
Posted by
London
634 posts
Yes! As mentioned above, Crete has a great bus system (KTEL). Very easy to use. We did a trip staying in Chania, Rethymno, and Heraklion and were able to use the bus for all of it, including side trips to all the best beaches. I haven't been to the eastern end of the island which I think is more resorts/nightlife, whereas western end is more historic old towns.
Posted by
Vacaville, Ca (Sometimes)
1521 posts
The Algarve, southern Portugal. East or West from Faro access by train.
Safe Travels.
Posted by
Republic of Texas / U.S.A. / Magyarország / Budapest
23586 posts
Adventure = Albania. Let me know when, maybe I go with you.