Anywhere like PP?

[jiggggy]

I'm having a bit of a prob deciding where to go for this years summer hols. i want to go to PP, but my in laws (who we,re going with) want to go to mainland spain>: . So i thought i'd ask you lot , is there anywhere on mainland Spain like PP:\ .

You know the type. Quietish, good restaurants, beautiful scenary and no lager louts:eek and you cant say PP!

Someone said Portinatx in Ibiza (yes i know its not mainland Spain) has anyone been there ?

We're after a villa for 7 of us. I,m still gonna try to persuade them to go to PP

So come on you experts! where should i go??:\

 

[killianmcc]

Hi there old pal
We have been to Nerja and loved it. Its quite big yet quietish with a the town centre that has a lovely "village" atmosphere. It has some decent beaches and a lovely place called the Balcony of Europe (I'll leave that to your imagination >D ). Restaurants are of a good standard too. We would go back again, but havent since we found PP, but I do rate it as a good second best.
K

 

[snowy2007]

Killian

Hi I can Second that.

Jiggy great Liverpool bar there all Red you should feel at home.

By the way well done Europe for one round !!.

 

[jiggggy]

Hi Killian m8 (less of the old please>: )
Yes, ive heard some good reports about Nerja. my m8 (yes i have 10] ) has been and he said it good too. I think we could well end up there, either there or the lakes:lol
Balcony of Europe, K. whats that all about

Lol@snows, i'll be there in my royal blue jersey chatting about our European history, that,ll take up the 1st 5 mins anyway:lol :lol (tho we do have a European Cup Winners cup already 8) :smokin )

p s wouldnt it be a good idea to have a footy thread on here

 

[its cd]

Jiggy

Does it have to be Spain ?

GARDA, on Lake Garda pressed all the right buttons for us .......... I think I have posted about it in the tapas bar

 

[davenjaz]

tossa de mar is a pretty place with good restaurants

 

[JH02JLH]

How strange! I was going to recommend Tossa de Mar. I've been there three times and love the old walled "Villa Vella" with the castle at one end of the sandy beach.

The resort is surrounded by mountains and was "low-rise" when I was there last (8 years ago).

I found this website:

www.tossacostabrava.com/

Jane

 

[CathB]

Nerja would have to be my choice too have been there several times- first went there in the 70's (teens 80's and again in 95 when my daughter was 6 - although a bit more built up on the outskirts the centre hasnt changed at all - Burriana beach is fantastic - I wonder if that guy still makes that huge paella..I have not been back since discovering PP but I think another visit may be due

 

[portrobin]

Portinax in Ibiza is nothing like PP. Its tiny and very quiet in comparison, although nice for young children.Resort centre will only take 5 minutes to walk round in the evening.Glorious beach though.

 

[davenjaz]

agree about portinatx v small with a number of sizeable all inc hotels

 

[allanglens]

Quite a number of years ago we decided to try somewhere else in the Balearics instead of PP, and wound up in Portinatx.

It is a bit, but only a bit, like PP. Far smaller, mostly (then) all-inclusive hotels, and quite hilly. So although it is quiet, and with two excellent beaches, I don't think it compares.

Actually this year we are off to a place which I have hopes for in the comparison stakes - St. Gilles Croix-de-Vie in the Vendee area of western France. It is bigger, but has excellent restaurants, beaches, and isn't over developed as a tourist trap. And it can be just as hot and sunny!

allanglens

 

[jiggggy]

Thanks for all the ideas peeps
Alot of good reports about Nerja, hmmmm, i might have a good look at that one
cd, Lake Garda sounds great but is it expensive?
Not too sure about portinatx now, your reports dont seem too great about it, tho my m8 says the scenery is fantastic
and Jane, Tossa de mar, youre 'avin a laugh :lol :lol

 

[carl1955]

Hi Jiggy.
If you book Nerja, make sure you dine at
www.hotelcarabeo.com/

Best restaurant in town, mind you the restaurant manager was a bit snooty, we still laugh at his response when i ordered the Tuna steak
"does sir know it's seared" said in his best Basil Fawlty accent.

Cheers
Carl.

 

[its cd]

Jiggy

When you are there prices are similar to PP ....

We went 2 years ago and went on a package ( unusual for us )

Thompsons lakes and mountains brochure flying Manchester to Verona , 2 weeks half board last week August first week Sept ... paid about £600 per adult and about £400 for child

The hotel we stayed in was an annex of a bigger hotel , so we paid less but ad it was only across the road from the larger hotel it was no problem

 

[Debilicious]

Lake Garda

Hi Jiggy,
I was at Lake Garda last November, wasnt overly expensive, if so, it would have been worth every euro, the place was amazing, sun was shining, it was gorgeous. Cant wait to return one summer.

 

[jiggggy]

Thanks for that Debs,
it does sound good, is it like the Lake district, only with sun:\

hi carl, that hotel looks posh, do they sell chips

Both Nerja and Lake Garda look great, i think i need to decide quickly where we want to go. We supposed to be going in 12 weeks:eek :eek
Its not like me to be undecisive, but then again, maybe it is:\ :lol

 

[Lala70w]

Hi Jiggs!

We decided to have a change from PP 2 years ago and went to Malcesine on Lake Guarda. It was very pretty with cobbled streets and an old castle and we had a lovely time but it was a fair bit quieter than PP - mostly elderly German tourists who were v nice - friendly and terribly polite BUT they all ate early (we are talking 6 pm) and were seen leaving the bars at 9 oclock when we were just heading out to eat! (and then they were up at 6.30 am with the hairdryer going!) the restaurants and bars were deserted by 10 pm and most closed shortly after! (fair no of elderly English gentlemen in sandals/ socks combo too!)

The food was as you'd expect in Italy of good quality with generous portions but we were a little disappointed with the lack of choice. Not like the south of Italy where you get extensive menus. We are so spoiled with the choice in PP and Italians don't really understand the concept of vegetarianism!

Would recommend one of the larger resorts instead like Guarda itself - or Limone is very pretty but a bit of a drive around the lake. Or you could look further south in Italy - Sorrento does get rather busy but is very nice or Amalfi just down the coast is a little quieter. Lots to do with trips to Capri, Versuvius, Naples, Pompeii...

If going to the lakes Verona opera is a must - a fabulous experience sitting on the steps watching the sunset/ swifts swooping and then 4 hours of Aida under the stars - sore on the old botty though! Take some vino and hire "Una cushione"!

We did miss PP awfully though - in fact we managed to squeeze in a week in September that year to compensate!

Whatever you do - try not to compare to PP - there is simply none to beat - and enjoy! Lala xx

 

[snowy2007]

Jiggy sounds just right for you at your age early to bed etc.