Gazza

If you fancy Eastern Europe have you thought about Bulgaria? We have been going to Bulgaria with Balkan since 1990s and have had some terrific holidays there. Golden Sands/St Konstantine/ Albena and Sunny Beach. Why dont you have a look at the forums.

Depends what you are looking for on your holiday but I would say that Sunny Beach is attracting a much younger crowd now (some 18-30s) because food and drink is so cheap.

I'm wondering the same thing myself. Currently nothing is really appealing but I like the sound of Bulgaria and Croatia, I want resorts that don't have too much in the way of full english breakfasts, do not want burger kings or McD, but still quite busy and holidayfied for want of a proper word.

SandC

We love Bulgaria especially the resort of Golden Sands. Sunny Beach is much bigger and theres building work going on all over. Also as previously mentioned there is an increase in younger people going there.

I know in both main resorts you will find McDs and I am certain I have seen BK as well.

I know that you are looking for somewhere else other than Turkey for holidays..but I still think you can still find places in Turkey that are still great value if you look a bit harder...go back to the traditional villages and resorts in Turkey ...but you will not find the package deals...or your english breakfasts...but better..

A few places worth mentioning...Cirali, Kaya Koyu, Uc agiz, Patara, Dalyan plus many more...

if you prefer a quietish resort then have a look at Cirali..transfer time 1.5 hrs from the Antalya airport...

Cirali ( Çıralı ) is a very lovely and unspoilt area...with Olimpos Roman ruins scattered in a pine forest, a secluded 4km non-touristy beach, fertile fields, and the Chimaera, the world's oldest and best-known natural "eternal flame". Also a natural nesting-ground for carretta carretta (loggerhead turtles).

What about Palanga in Lithuania? Or in somewhere in Lituania on the Curonian Spit (near Klaipeda)?

If you're thinking about Bulgaria, be aware that some of the larger resorts like Sunny Beach, Golden Sands & Albena are all purpose built tourist resorts; if you're looking for something a bit different from that, try Balchik, Nessebar, Sozopol or Pomorie, all smallish towns with a bit of history to them, and some nice places to stay as well

We went to Macedonia last week and had a fab time. weather was great,really friendly people and a couple of gorgeous lakes. I would recommend Lake Ohrid, looks a bit like Northern Italy. Prices were good too. We had lovely food and really lovely locally produced wine. We travelled with Czech Airlines.

Caretta, I'm not done with Turkey yet but pondering on somewhere different for next year. It's not really about the value for money (which I think Turkey still is and I am increasingly going to smaller resorts for more turkish atmo). I did wonder if the main well known bulgarian resorts are now quite big and if they do have BK and McD then I would, as advised perhaps look at smaller resorts.

Lithuania sounds very interesting, I will look into that, also Macedonia.

My partner and I like to laze around a lot but like picturesque places, things to do go and see (scenery and history), my fella is a keen photographer so scenic is good. We like to have a nice meal, lingering over fresh fish and quiet (if sometimes late) drinks somewhere with ambience.

So you can see where Turkey ticks our boxes (not the big resorts).

I have plenty of time to ponder further but thanks for suggestions and I will look into them.

SandC...sounds like Cirali might fit your bill and PLEASE ...have a look at my photos...a novice photographer

http://www.flickr.com/photos/canmom

as you know we love turkey and in particular the fab akyaka which is very scenic and turkish, but we love to travel all over too

we also went to slovenia last year and it was beautiful, there is a wonderful lake called lake bled and a few small qaint sea side resorts called piran and izola, ive listed some photos, slovenia has some fabulous places to see including breath taking caves that are so big you need to get a train down. have a look at this link, it is 1 of the most beautiful places we have been too

http://www.slovenia.info/en/Places-you-must-see.htm?_ctg_slo_sights=0&lng=2

We went skiing in Slovenia a couple of years ago, and we noticed how cheap everything was, for meals, drinks, cake etc. So to support ellie-meg's advice, Just add cheap too! (And great scenery). I would also suggest Austria too, if you don't need the sea, just a pool. You can get pretty cheap holidays there in 3 star hotels and goes without saying, amazing scenery. See Jay Trip's post here http://www.holidaytruths.co.uk/viewtopic.php?f=15&t=122281 where she loved it after Turkey.

Was supposed to be going to Akyaka this year but change of plan led me to Oludeniz, which was lovely but a bit too 'english breakfast'. Nice vibe though.

Akyaka is a definite maybe for next year, and Caretta, I have perused your photos before. I do also fancy Cirali and have looked at it quite extensively, mainly based on your recommendations.

Slovenia looks lovely. I mean, the former Yugoslavia was a very popular holiday destination for brits before the troubles so I imagine it's even nicer now.

Staying with the turkish theme Gazza/sandc, have you thought about northern cyprus . Not been myself and I know there is some hassle involved with the indirect flight but im told its well worth it and there are a couple of seemingly well established resorts there .

thanks for the great replies guys,great info i will look into them,there are some great ideas there.
thanks gazza.................

Well we've actually plumped for Puerto de Soller in Mallorca. Stunning scenery and non 'chips with everything' etc. so I hear.

Not cheap for hotels either DiY or package, but that's okay as it's probably what keeps it scenic and not over touristy.

Looked at Puerto de Pollensa also until I read a review that mentioned KFC and burger king amongst others!

Puerto Soller is lovely as is Soller,Deia & Valldemossa & you must to the train to Palma....just wonderful. That whole western coast from Puerto Andratx to Puerto Pollensa is beautiful, so I recommend hiring a car.
Congratulations on an excellent choice!!

Thanks toasted, it was quite an impulsive decision but I would have been umming and ahhing for months if I didn't just go for it.

I see that several posters have recommended Slovenia to you. So do I. It has great scenery, accommodating and interesting people, plenty of activities to enjoy: hiking, rafting, horse riding, spas, caves, museums, restaurants etc and much of it is still a lot cheaper than more 'developed' european countries. Despite the current Euro rates, eating and drinking out is amazingly cheap - we hardly bother to cook when we stay because of that.

Because I would like to retire there one day, we bought a place about 2 years ago in the heart of the country with a great view of the mountains.