I would have thought July/August would be a bad time for quiet places, but why not have a look at http://www.laskarina.co.uk who do a lot of the smaller Greek islands, and may be able to help you find another Andros

Hi Meg_m,

I think that the trick is to steer clear of the the big TOs but get their brochures so you know where to avoid! Go for the small independent operators like Laskrina as Doonhammer recommends. I can recommend Pure Crete and Meltemi for the smaller, quieter resorts in western Crete.

But given that you like Mull, well in a way adopting a strategy of going for the smaller islands almost anywhere could pay off. So, for example, also think about the smaller islands in The Canaries - I'm a big fan of La Gomera - less than hour away from Los Christianos on Tenerife but it might as well be on another world for all the resemblance it bears to LC. You won't find sunloungers on the beach full stop! Friends who are also fans of La Gomera went to La Palma in the Canaries last summer and said it was blissfully quite even in July.

A good starting point would be to visit the website for the Association of Independent Tour Operators (AITO).

http://www.aito.co.uk

because this were you'll find the sort of operators who specialise in the sort of places it sounds like you want to go to!

SM

How about somewhere like this:

http://www.clubrena.piczo.com/?cr=6&rfm=y

This chap gives weather reports daily from there in the Turkey forum. We visited here whilst on our gulet trip week before last and this is where we ended our holiday - it looks quite divine and is also handy for a visit to Marmaris if you wanted to do some shopping. We also moored at a couple of the villages that are mentioned nearby. They too seemed very pretty and laid back.

Another Turkish suggestion is Akyaka, around 50 minutes from Dalaman airport but not found in the main brochures We have returned for the last 3 years as it has a lovely beach gentle sloping into the sea Excellent restaurants (not many bars only) and it is a pretty authentic Turkish resort There are many more Turks holiday there then British. You are only half an hour from marmaris if you want to visit a big resort and there are lots of nice trips to do
Have a look at
http://www.akyaka.org.uk
http://www.akyaka.com
or do a search for Akyaka in the turkish discussion forum I always go DIY but you can get a package to the yucelen or the ottoman residence there is info about both on the Turkish forum

go to Taurito in Gran Canaria.. very quiet, or you could try Mogan in GC. Also very quiet.

La Gomera is quiet but abit of a pain to get to as you have to go via Tenerife and then get a ferry.. but if you can put up with that its worth it for the quietness. ( we only had a day visit and i must admit i got bored)

meg m,
Consider the far western Algarve; the further west you travel on the Algarve, the quieter and less "touristy" it gets.You'll find almost deserted beaches, quiet, (still Portuguese), villages and genuine friendliness from the local people. Look at places such as Burgau or Salema for untouched authenticity.For historic interest travel further west to Sagres where Henry the Navigator built his school of navigation - you can still see the original compass cut into the ground.

La Gomera is quiet but abit of a pain to get to as you have to go via Tenerife and then get a ferry.. but if you can put up with that its worth it for the quietness.

But that's one of the reasons why I love it - as long as there are no direct flights the crowds will stay away :-) The locally owned foot passenger ferry makes it easy to get to the main resorts on the southern coast of the island but the fastest car ferries do it in 35 minutes to San Sebastian these days. A whole lot easier to get to than Mull and with sunshine as well as some good walking to but it's not for those who like nightlife. the following website will give you an idea of what the island is like and the sort of accommodation which is available.

http://www.gomera.info/index.htm

But Sagres is right - you might find just what you are looking for in the western Algarve and there are more sightseeing opportunities there. If noting else you must go to Cape st Vincent if you do go to the Algarve. On the whole, the farther a place is away from the charter airports then the quieter and less 'discovered' a place is likely to be.

SM

How about Gozo (no direct flights), or Corsica or Sardinia? Or there is a small Island called Formentera (spelling) that is off of Ibiza. Sicily is supposed to be nice and isn't on the main tourist drag.

Or Slovinia, I went to a place called Lake Bled years ago that was very tranquil (obviously no beach there though so it might not quite fit the bill )

Agree that you could do worse than look at the Western Algarve, so many beaches you are bound to find ones without millions of sunbeds, plus the monchique mountains, tiny villages inland.

On all of these you would need to review your hotel/apartment and its actually location to make sure it suits your 'not a resort" requirement.

Formentera is certainly peaceful - but that's really it. I can't remember a lot of shops or ancient sites (there are a couple, but not touristy, you have to find them!) Nice restaurants - but again all off the beaten track.

Definitely a "desert island" holiday (BTW, many beaches are naturist)

How about Gozo or Comino,Maltas sister islands?

Only 1 hotel on Comino so if you are wanting to travel elsewhere you need to get a boat to transfer you to either Malta or Gozo.You could find Comino to quiet though.
I am a big lover of Gozo,definetly more relaxing and laid back than Malta.

http://www.cominohotel.com/

I`d also agree with Fiona - try Akyaka in Turkey. We went last year and its a wonderful place.

The Pelion region of Greece. I mentioned to a Greek colleague that my parents were going there on holiday and she asked how they found out about it! It's on the mainland, but very quiet, search out 'Volos' for info on the area.

Another area is the Costa de la Luz in Spain - the area west of Gibraltar up to the Portuguese border.

We went to Castell Playa at Arena d'en Castell in Menorca it fits your bill lovely unspoilt like Majorca must have been before it got so comercialised never saw a Tout did some lovely walks saw wild Tortoises the hotel was Thomson Gold no children plenty of sunbeds you can over look the pool or the bay the bay is beautiful but not as much sun on that side and you can upgrade in the hotel to either AI or drinks package Mahon an Citudella are both good for a vist as is Mount Torro wonderful views

Castell Playa reviews HERE.

Menorca is a beautiful island

Pippy