600 Euro for some sun and sand on the Mediterranean in peak season?

Ryanair, flying from Hahn, goes to lots of warm weather destinations, and while the Travel agencies may not be best for packages, you can sometimes purchase a ticket on a charter to get you someplace they go. I think that ther are still good bargains in Portugal, Spain, and the Greek Isles, particularly Crete that normally finding a place for 50 euro or less a night is not hard. Of course, yes, peak season makes that difficult. Maybe do some Web surfing and assess. I have stayed in Matala on Crete which would fit your requirements, also in the beach area of Pollenca on Majorca.

Try the Germanwings and the Air Berlin websites for cheap flights to Athens or Crete. These would be your best chance for saving money to get to Greece. From Athens you can take a ferry to Crete where inexpensive accomodations should not be difficult to find online. Near Matala is Agia Galini, another good possibility.

Also look in the Loutro area of Crete.

You can do it, but you will have to be flexible and maybe give up fancy dining. We like to stay in homes when possible. I look for zimmers.

As for avoiding hostels, my wife and I have stayed in over 20 of them. Many now have private rooms for 22 with baths. Do a web search and read about a few of them.

If I were doing your trip I would choose a seaside town and go without reservations. When you arrive, walk the area you choose and look at some rooms. I have often negotiated with landladies for a bargain.

In looking at a map, I would guess the closest warm water beaches from Frankfurt will be around Genova.

Juliette:

I meant to say Many now have private rooms for 2 with baths. Do a web search and read about a few of them.

Juliette, so many of the German travel agencies have great packages for doing just that, a week or 2 in the sun, hotel, half board, and flight and the prices are usually quite good. Have you looked on Ameropa yet? Try looking for places like Agadir in Morocco, or Bodrum in Turkey, or any of a number of places in Spain or Portugal.

Personally, I liked Agadir, cause it was exotic, reasonable prices, fun shopping, the people were super friendly, clean, warm water and it never got much over 30° and we were there in July.

I've heard the beaches in Croatia are wonderful, and you should be able to find an inexpensive hotel.

I have a sneaking suspicion we're going to end up blowing the summer vacay budget on a new apartment, which is a good thing, but will postpone any real vacays until fall break - when the water should be still warm and the prices lower!