Ally... and anyone else who has been on holiday in Spain

[meriad]

This weekend, Nadine and I will be looking at family summer holiday options for next year. At the moment Spain is top of the list as destination (either there or Greece) and various people Nadine has spoken to at her work have suggested the following in their order of preference:

- Andalucía
- Algarve
- Majorca

Now, I don't know much (if anything) about any of these areas; so figured I'd pick brains here to see what people think. All and any feedback / suggestions hugely welcome

[tonicha]

Algarve is Portugal Ria and it really depends on what you'll like, and where.

The west is very touristy, the east far less so.

Are you looking for hotel? apartment?

[meriad]

LOL, see what happens when you simply and blindly copy and paste.... mixing up countries

Ton, in an ideal world we're looking for a villa / house with a private pool and WiFI. If it's near a good beach then great, but we will be hiring a car to get around so that's not a main criteria. It would be nice to be fairly close to a town that has nice restaurants / places to sit and have a drink

Just by going on what you're saying I personally would probably prefer the less touristy side. I like to meet local people, try speak at least a few words of the local language (usually making a total fool of myself ), eat local food and just experience the country I'm in... I never quite understood why people go on holiday somewhere like Turkey and then eat in the 'english' restaurants and have burgers and chips?

[tonicha]

. I never quite understood why people go on holiday somewhere like Turkey and then eat in the 'english' restaurants and have burgers and chips?

Or those that live in a different country and still insist on faggots, chips and peas, steak and kidney pie etc

Check out Manta Rota, in Portugal. My friend rents our her townhouse. It's in a closed condiminium, with a pool for the use of all the houses - about 10 - .

Although thinking about it, maybe not. Would be quite noisy in the holidays.

Look at Fuzeta, Tavira, and areas to the east of Faro.

[Kaz]

Greece for me, every time My best holidays are definitely Corfu and Rhodes

I have been to the Algarve, which was lovely, and Majorca and mainland Spain but somehow Greece tugs at my heart

[miasmum]

Just throwing Menorca in the mix, its really lovely and far less touristy than Majorca

[meriad]

and far less touristy than Majorca

oooh, I like that Will happily add it to the list - thanks!

[JoM]

You know, I've never been to mainland Spain. Had lots of fantastic holidays in the Canaries though but never tried the mainland. I quite fancy a Barcelona city break sometime.

[Kaz]

I fancy Barcelona too Jo, Becky has been with her dad and H and said it was stunning!

[molly]

We have just had a short break to San Sebastian, on the northern coast of Spain……..it is our third visit
http://www.sansebastianturismo.com/en/

It is European capital of culture this year.

And it isn't far to the Guggenheim in Bilbao
https://www.guggenheim-bilbao.es/en/