[Paul B]

Anyone have any good recommendations for a non-climbing holiday (Blasphemy I here you scream)? preferably with something to do and not millions of people, we're looking to go away somewhere nearing the end of July and are a little dumbfounded by all the choice that there is. Last year we hit jack pot getting a ridiculously cheap deal to the maldives as we couldn't book until my frame was definitely removed, this year we're not having so much look conjuring up a cheap deal. Its unsurprising that the Maldives was a steal as we hadn't left enough time to get the relevant vaccinations. 
Anyway thanks in advance for any input.

[SA Chris]

Non-climbing holiday - error! does not compute!

Aaargh! Where to start? How long you got, how much cash?

Diving? Surfing? Sightseeing? Hiking? Biking? A lot of Europe is heaving at that time of the year, unless you go for something a bit out of the ordinary like Eastern Europe or a small island somewhere.

US is cheap at the moment due to ROE, but going to be busy and roasting hot in most of the popular tourist spots unles you stay North. How about West Indies?

[Duma]

Me and the GF went to sweden last year, three days in Stockholm (lovely city) then got the train right into the interior for a week of canoeing - awesome scenery, barely a soul about, recommended. IIRC we went with these guys. It's not guided, you just turn up, they give you the kit and a quick run through, and you bugger off on your own for a week, camp where you like, portage past dams, great fun.

[Jaspersharpe]

How about West Indies?

Likely to piss it down at that time of year isn't it?

[SA Chris]

Not a scooby. My brother went to east cost Mexico same last year and said it was tops, apart from a few impressive late afternoon thunderstorms.

[Falling Down]

It it's sunshine with something to do you that you're after you can't go wrong with sailing or windsurfing. Lots to learn, great fun, by the sea etc.  There's also nothing wrong with going to somewhere with a nice beach with lots of books and good snorkelling IMHO.. 

[Jaspersharpe]

Not a scooby. My brother went to east cost Mexico same last year and said it was tops, apart from a few impressive late afternoon thunderstorms.

I was going to recommend Mexico as it's fantastic but it's meant to be the wrong time of year weather wise. July is part of the rainy season and the hurricane season so I reckon your brother got lucky!

[Dolly]

Had a great time in Southern Norway last year.
Plenty of water based activities, fishing, boats, trails in the the woods to walk/cycle on.
The air is soooo clean, you feel healthy just being there.
Every night got in the outdoor jacuzzi with a big jug of G and T to watch the sun on the lakes and mountains.....

[Nibile]

i really can't think about anything that isn't bouldering related, except surfing.

[Nibile]

i would say portugal or the atlantic coast of andalucia. for food, drink, fiestas and surfing.

[Paul B]

It it's sunshine with something to do you that you're after you can't go wrong with sailing or windsurfing. Lots to learn, great fun, by the sea etc.  There's also nothing wrong with going to somewhere with a nice beach with lots of books and good snorkelling IMHO.. 

yeah this thought crossed my mind yesterday and I had a quick look (at yacht chartering  , suprisingly they seem to need a little bit more experience than I have)....Any further clues? been anywhere nice windsurfing?

in answer to the other questions 14 days, price range completely depends on whats on offer.

[Bubba]

Sea Kayaking? I'm planning on a trip doing this later in the year.

One good one that may not quite be "non-climbing" is go to the Dolomites and play on the Via Ferratae - great fun and perfectly accesible to a non-climber who can handle some exposure.

I think that once you've been to the Maldives, it's going to be hard to find any snorkelling to beat it.

[Falling Down]

I'm always a bit wary of advising non-surfers to go on surfing holidays unless they really, really want to do it 'cos it's just so damn hard to learn and I remember my learning days to be a pretty fustrating and not that enjoyable a time (although it was Cornwall in the mid 80's when wetsuits weren't the things they are today). 

I've not done a windsurfing holiday but I've had good reports from Turkey, Greece and Croatia.  Rather than yacht chartering, my sister and her hubbie did a trip to Greece a few years back where they earned their "Level 1" (or whatever it's called) yacht sailing certificate.

[dave]

Hows about the canadian rockies? fly to calgary and check out banff/lake louise/jasper. or go to hongcouver and check out the squamish/whistler area and vancouver island.

[Johnny Brown]

Personally I'd save on the carbon footprint and stay in the uk. Can recommend boating on the norfolk broads or anything involving the scottish islands.

[SA Chris]

Or combining two of the above sugestions with some sea kayaking in the Outer Hebrides? We did a two day trip out at Ardnamurchan last year and loved it. There is a good centre on North Uist that friends have used for sea kayaking trips and they highly recommended it.

[Jaspersharpe]

And you might bump into Si O'Bollocks as a bonus.

[SA Chris]

Not on N Uist you won't. Not a lot of climbing there, either real or imaginary.

[Jaspersharpe]

I thought he was now the World's greatest sea kayaker.

[Sloper]

Moving back on topic, anyone got any suggestions for a warmish venue in September with sea bathing suitable for a one year old, must be within 3 hours flying, relatively cheap and prole free.

Nearby bouldering obviously a bonus.

[adam p]

can recommend a road trip round utah....

fly to salt lake city, pick up a jeep, throw tents and stuff in the back and spend a few weeks cruising round...

check out canyonlands (just the craziest place), drive the white rim trail, hang out in moab (cool town and killer margeritas), check out bryce national park and then pick your jaw from the floor looking at the big walls in zion...

went last sept and had a 'awesome' time as the yanks say. plenty of hiking, a bit of rafting, cheap steaks or spicy burritos....and plenty of cold beer despite the mormon tendencies...

sorry slopes, does not tick your boxes...at that time of year, outside school hols, perhaps greek islands?

[Fiend]

Non-climbing holiday - error! does not compute!

I agree with that...

Personally I'd save on the carbon footprint and stay in the uk. Can recommend boating on the norfolk broads or anything involving the scottish islands.

...and that, sort of.

Having finally visited the North West of Scotland (which obviously extends to include the islands), I can agree it's a stunning place, and if the weather is good a very viable alternative to travelling abroad. The scenery is as beautiful as many places, there are as gorgeous beaches, there can be just as much of a language barrier AND it will cost you just as much in petrol as flying abroad would 

[Eddies]

dont you mean, georgeous beeatches?

[Paul B]

can recommend a road trip round utah....

been to Utah and if I ever go back it'll be snowing! but thanks.

Johnny Brown - 

I think windsurfing might be a great idea. I shall look into it further. Thanks for all the replies, well most of them anyway.

[SA Chris]

can recommend a road trip round utah....

fly to salt lake city, pick up a jeep, throw tents and stuff in the back and spend a few weeks cruising round...

check out canyonlands (just the craziest place), drive the white rim trail, hang out in moab (cool town and killer margeritas), check out bryce national park and then pick your jaw from the floor looking at the big walls in zion...

went last sept and had a 'awesome' time as the yanks say. plenty of hiking, a bit of rafting, cheap steaks or spicy burritos....and plenty of cold beer despite the mormon tendencies...

I was going to suggest this, as i think it is an amazing part of the world, but in mid summer it will be fucking roasting and very busy.