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There is a lot to consider when booking a holiday – what the weather will be like, whether there will be nice beaches and what type of accommodation you should opt for.
However, perhaps the most important question you need to consider is the type of resort you want. While quiet and peaceful may be one holidaymaker’s heaven, it could be another visitor’s hell.
So where should you book to ensure you get the most out of your holiday? While you may have set your heart on a particular country, knowing which resort to book can be a minefield.
Here, we’ve done the hard work for you and come up with five vibrant and five relaxed resorts.
Ibiza
If you want vibrant… Playa de’n Bossa
The original party capital, Ibiza is best known for its world-famous clubs and international DJs spinning the latest tunes until the small hours. If round-the-clock partying and pumping music is high on your agenda for the perfect holiday, then opting to stay at a resort like Playa de’n Bossa will offer this in abundance.
Located here is legendary club Space that hosts all-day partying on Sundays, and if you’re still full of energy after being out all night, Bora Bora Beach also offers daytime dancing on the sand.
A fun-filled waterpark and great beach will keep you entertained by day, and if you fancy venturing further afield, the resort is close to Ibiza Old Town.
If you want relaxed… Santa Eulalia
But Ibiza isn’t all about parties and there are some stunning parts of the island offering quieter and more peaceful holidays.
Santa Eulalia, on Ibiza’s southeast coast, for example, is a popular choice for families, and boasts two beautiful beaches, galleries, boutiques and a pretty marina. A vast array of fantastic restaurants means you can enjoy gastronomic delights when the sun goes down.
Croatia
If you want vibrant… Hvar
With a growing reputation as an exclusive party resort, the island of Hvar in Croatia is bound to keep party-goers happy.
Having welcomed celebrities such as Beyoncé and Eva Longoria in the past, there is an abundance of bars, restaurants and clubs, such as Carpe Diem where you can relax on comfy sofas listening to smooth jazz by day. And when the sun goes down, it turns into the ultimate party spot.
Surrounded by vineyards and lavender fields, there are plenty of options for relaxation in the day with sugary white sands to flop on.
If you want relaxed… Dubrovnik
This beautiful city has all the ingredients for a laidback holiday, with relaxing beaches on its stunning coastline, a beautiful old town for you to meander around and bags of history for those interested in delving into the past.
If you’re on a family holiday, you may wish to liven things up slightly by heading to Copacabana Beach. Not only does it have safe, shallow waters, but there are banana rides, water chutes and other child-friendly activities to ensure the smaller members of the family have plenty of fun.
Costa Blanca
If you want vibrant… Benidorm
Still a firm favourite on the holiday map, hundreds of Brits flock here every year for sun, sea and sand. But it’s not just sandy stretches and flopping by the pool that entices them, it is also the great nightlife that explodes when the sun goes down. Every type of bar, club and venue can be found here, so pull on those dancing shoes and get ready for a night on the tiles!
This is also a great destination for families looking for entertainment for the kids, with attractions such as Terra Mitica Theme Park and Aqualandia waterpark.
If you want relaxed… Altea
It’s hard to believe that a 10-minute drive out of Benidorm would bring you to a small village oozing charm and a world away from the bright lights of its popular neighbour.
However, Altea is just that, with a lovely marina, sandy bay and beautiful old town. Here you can explore ancient churches, wander along the delightful seafront and enjoy relaxing among quaint plazas and whitewashed buildings.
Majorca
If you want vibrant… Magaluf
Magaluf has survived as a firm party favourite over the years and is a hugely popular destination for stag and hen dos.
With huge clubs such as BCM Planet Dance and MCP, the resort also plays host to a large number and variety of bars located along The Strip.
By day there is also plenty going on in this bustling resort. Besides a kilometre-long beach, there are other attractions such as the Western Water Park – one of the biggest waterparks in Majorca – and Katmandu Park, an interactive attraction filled with all things magical! And if you fancy a cultural day out, you can take a day trip to the island’s capital, Palma.
If you want relaxed… Deia
Far from the madding crowd is Deia, a small, beautiful, coastal village. This tiny slice of paradise is located on steep cliffs overlooking the ocean and surrounded by orange and olive groves.
Traditionally a mecca for artists and musicians, the natural beauty of the landscape has served as inspiration for many, and it really is a destination to head to if you want to escape it all. Mountain trails awaiting exploration will greet you, or if you’d prefer to top up your tan, beautiful beaches are there for the taking. By night, you can enjoy alfresco dining in one of the resort’s great restaurants.
Zante
If you want vibrant… Laganas
The stunning Greek island of Zante offers all the ingredients for the perfect holiday, with gorgeous beaches to flop on, warm waters to swim in and great food to munch on.
Party central is located in Laganas where you will find a mile-long strip of Neon-lit clubs, beach bars and a variety of venues.
During the day, you will find a great beach to recover on, and if you fancy a bit of sightseeing, Zante Town is just 15 minutes away by bus.
If you want relaxed… Kalamaki
A great family resort, the small village of Kalamaki offers safe beaches, stunning scenery and plenty of traditional tavernas serving up delicious local fare.
The kids will be kept entertained with trips out on a glass-bottomed boat where they can spot underwater life, or you may want to visit the small waterpark. Children will also be fascinated to learn about the loggerhead turtles or ‘caretta caretta’ that come to lay their eggs on the beach.