Help me pick a rural vacation spot...

[anna7602]

So it's looking more and more like we won't be able to avoid taking most of DH's vacation time in August this year. In an effort to avoid the vacation madness of seaside towns in Europe, I think we'll just rent a nice little house in the mountains or deep country somewhere, but where? There are the Pyreness (French or Spanish side) and the Alps, but I suspect those might be crowded as well. We are also happy to wander off to the North of Portugal or somewhere else that is green and peaceful on the Continent.

Thoughts?

[travelingturtle]

No thoughts - but, so glad you made it over!

[anna7602]

May 17, 2012 9:57:20 GMT -5 travelingturtle said:

No thoughts - but, so glad you made it over!

Thanks! Except my productivity took a nose dive today.

[anna7602]

May 17, 2012 11:00:00 GMT -5 neeps said:

DH and I rented an amazing cabin in Finland a few years ago. It was so beautiful and peaceful. I would totally go back.

The Transylvania area of Romania is also beautiful.

Thanks for the recos. Where in Finland?

[karmaroma]

I can't think of anything more rural than the "friulan" Dolomites (sp?) where I spent long summers with my dad growing up. It's beautiful and the mountains are breathtaking. If you google Cortina d'Ampezzo and surroundings you can get an idea of how it is. We used to hike all the way up to the Austrian border, pick berries, eat amazing food at the local "rifugi" that are practically hanging up there between the cliffs etc. It's just like a postcard. Other rural life related activities were milking the cows, lead them up to pasture, ride the horses and take care of them, and work the fields. I'm sure you can find agriturismi that let you do all these things and more.

PS. I wasn't employed or anything, just enjoyed the life my friends and relatives were leading while I was there.

[Cheesecake]

Never been there, but everyone I know who's been there has loved scandinavia as a summer vacation. Whatever spot they went to.

[dulcemariamar]

I stayed in the Parador in Fuente De. Loved it. The food in the area was incredible and I had a room overlooking the mountain and I went to sleep every night hearing the cow bells.

[allibally]

I would totally head to a mountain village. I spent 4 months in one 3 1/2 of those months were in Summer. It was so serene and quiet. Lots of easy hiking opportunities and then there are all the local things. Swimming and festivals!

[elenetxu]

May 17, 2012 14:33:43 GMT -5 dulcemariamar said:

I stayed in the Parador in Fuente De. Loved it. The food in the area was incredible and I had a room overlooking the mountain and I went to sleep every night hearing the cow bells.

I was going to suggest something similar, up here in the Picos de Europa. Look for a casa rural, maybe? Potes and Santillana del Mar might be busy though...

[pittpurple]

We were in the Dolomites several years ago in July and it was fantastic. We took cable cars up several of the mountains and ate delicious food on our balcony. I would think mountains or somewhere North, otherwise it's going to be so hot!

A favourite trip we did (but in May so no idea what it's like in the summer) was to Glion, Switzerland. It's a tiny little village on top of Montreaux that you take the funicular to - we just hiked around, ate cheese and took the train to see various castles. It's such a gorgeous part of the world.

[allibally]

May 18, 2012 8:05:23 GMT -5 pittpurple said:

We were in the Dolomites several years ago in July and it was fantastic. We took cable cars up several of the mountains and ate delicious food on our balcony. I would think mountains or somewhere North, otherwise it's going to be so hot!

A favourite trip we did (but in May so no idea what it's like in the summer) was to Glion, Switzerland. It's a tiny little village on top of Montreaux that you take the funicular to - we just hiked around, ate cheese and took the train to see various castles. It's such a gorgeous part of the world.

August in the Alps won't be too hot. Especially if your really staying in a Mountain Village. I spent a whole summer in Adelboden and it was never really too hot. Thankfully, the night was nice and cool. So I didn't suffer while sleeping. If we just drove down for the day to the valley... Then it could be hot! Amazing how different the temperatures are.

I can really recommend Adelboden as a quiet place to be in August. Most of the tourism is locals who have chalets. Lots of great hiking and the views are gorgeous. I miss my view.

[karmaroma]

Anna, what happened to your plan of going to visit your friend in Africa?

[irish]

Two suggestions for you.

In France, we spent 2 weeks in a small village called Cajarc a couple of years ago. Small, quiet, off the beaten track. But yet it has a 'plan d'eau ' and a swimming pool and some lovely restaurants. There were a number of day trips we took while there inc these mad big caves that you take an underwater boat trip on! We were there first 2 weeks of August.

The second suggestion is a tiny, tiny, tiny village called Inner Alpbach in the Tirol region of Austria. It was the 'suburb' of the tiny village of Alpbach! Lots of walking opportunities (well signposted), nearby lake for a beach experience, Innsbruck and Salzburg are day trips as is a castle that was the seat of the Hapsburgs (sp?). We really enjoyed it and we booked it on the Thursday and went on the Saturday! Oh, and some of the ski lifts were open all year. We rented an apartment in a big house - all the houses are fab!! And that was first 2wks of August too

[Deleted]

Kinder Hotels!!!

We went to one in the Austrian mountains. Absolutely amazingly beautiful.

www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g1197052-d1485364-Reviews-Habachklause-Bramberg_am_Wildkogel_Austrian_Alps.html

It is in the Tirol area of Austria also.

We flew into Munich, spent a few days there, went to Eagle's Nest (amazing amazing amazing views), then to Salzburg for a few days, off to the kinder hotel for 5 days (worth every single minute), went past Innsbrook to Fussen, saw the castles, then back to Munich and home.

Please don't hate me for saying this but what about Euro Disney? You do have a toddler who would love it!

We also stayed at a beautiful old farm house in the middle of the Champagne region. It was beautiful. Maybe find something like this with a pool?

www.vrbo.com/241839

[anna7602]

May 18, 2012 19:52:21 GMT -5 @karmaroma said:

Anna, what happened to your plan of going to visit your friend in Africa?

I still have to look through the thread above to figure out who's who, but if you know about my Africa plan, you're obviously legit!

If you can believe that after all my negotiating with DH and looking at flights, talking to my friend, etc., it turned out a job my friend applied for suddenly made her an offer and she has less than 6 weeks to pack up and leave Mozambique! Gaaaa. So I guess that means it wasn't meant to be. She said I'd still be welcome to come now, but that she'll be a tad bit stressed wrapping up her life in Maputo. I can't do that to her. (Or figure out my end of things that quickly.)

[Deleted]

May 20, 2012 13:02:39 GMT -5 anna7602 said:

May 18, 2012 19:52:21 GMT -5 @karmaroma said:

Anna, what happened to your plan of going to visit your friend in Africa?

I still have to look through the thread above to figure out who's who, but if you know about my Africa plan, you're obviously legit!

If you can believe that after all my negotiating with DH and looking at flights, talking to my friend, etc., it turned out a job my friend applied for suddenly made her an offer and she has less than 6 weeks to pack up and leave Mozambique! Gaaaa. So I guess that means it wasn't meant to be. She said I'd still be welcome to come now, but that she'll be a tad bit stressed wrapping up her life in Maputo. I can't do that to her. (Or figure out my end of things that quickly.)

I'm sorry to confuse you further Anna, this is the same poster that you quoted, I just changed SN again. I am Stellina+Amour on the nest. I'll stay jewels6711 from now on, promise

Yeah, I guess it wasn't meant to be... Let us know what destintion you end up picking!