Need your help again: rec a city please

hz80408 · January 2012

(I?ve posted previously about this trip; I apologize for continuing to post about it, but I?ve found your previous guidance and advice really useful)

We?re going to Europe for 16 days and want to meet my sister (living outside London for 6 months) for a 4-day (maybe 5) trip over Easter weekend?.but we?re struggling were to go. H and I would love to go to Barcelona, but as it stands now, my sister is going there 3 wks prior and doesn?t want to ?repeat a city?.

From your experiences, can you rec a 4/5 day trip (via flying or train from Paris and/or London) that would be:

? good over Easter wknd,

? decent weather

? good food and drink (this is tough b/c H prefers beer and myself/sister prefer wine

? semi-active night life (maybe low-key pubs/bars or shows to go to)

? a mix of architecture, history, and art

? area that you can spend 4 days in (maybe with a day-trip in area?)

? not super expensive (food around or less than $100/pp/day and hotel/apt for 3 under $200/nt)

Per sister's request, currently on the no-list is: Rome (b/c of Easter), Cinque Terre (from what we?re read, it?s hopeful that trail will just start to re-open at Easter), Madrid, Barcelona, UK entirely, Amsterdam, Paris, Brussels, and Istanbul.

maxlad · January 2012

Prague

hz80408 · January 2012

maxlad:
Prague

Thanks, can you "sell" me on it a little? SIL's friends went to Prague after college and all I remember them talking about was going to a last minute opera cheap and also how cold it was in March.

laptopprancer · January 2012

It's ok to say Europe. The EU isn't technically a place.

I've been holding that in for weeks, I'm sorry.

Your sister has basically eliminated good weather spots for March. Unless, what about Sicily or Malta?

maxlad · January 2012

There is tons of architechture and history - Prague castle is at least a day in itself. Jewish Quarter. Good beer. I loved the food. We were there in Sept and it was 65 - 70 degrees.

Here is a blog from a nestie that helped us plan our trip. She has all of the highlights, daytrips and more.

http://katieinprague.blogspot.com/search/label/Prague

hz80408 · January 2012

laptopprancer:

It's ok to say Europe. The EU isn't technically a place.

I've been holding that in for weeks, I'm sorry.

Your sister has basically eliminated good weather spots for March. Unless, what about Sicily or Malta?

Haha, sorry, I guess I'm just to used abbreviating it as such/lazy when typing.

I'll look into Silicy and Malta; thanks

eta: updated OP

hz80408 · January 2012

maxlad:

There is tons of architechture and history - Prague castle is at least a day in itself. Jewish Quarter. Good beer. I loved the food. We were there in Sept and it was 65 - 70 degrees.

Here is a blog from a nestie that helped us plan our trip. She has all of the highlights, daytrips and more.

http://katieinprague.blogspot.com/search/label/Prague

Perfect; I'll read up. Thanks

ktmae55 · January 2012

Porto. We spent 4 days there in March and the weather was lovely (60-65 each day and sunny) and the food and drink were fantastic and very affordable. The city is just beautiful http://www.flickr.com/photos/11257022@N05/2385525735/

There's lots to do - port tasting, history, day trips to wine country or up the river, art museums, shopping, etc.

http://www.portugaltravelguide.org/things-to-do-in-porto.html

We spent 4 days there (and did lots of port tasting) but you could do fine with 2-3 there and then an overnight somewhere nearby, or split 2 nights in Porto and 2 in Lisbon (though I like Porto better). We did a major splurge and stayed at the gorgeous Yeatman hotel, but when I was looking I found a ton of cute B&Bs and guesthouses for like 50-60 euros per night.

hz80408 · January 2012

ktmae55:

Porto. We spent 4 days there in March and the weather was lovely (60-65 each day and sunny) and the food and drink were fantastic and very affordable. The city is just beautiful http://www.flickr.com/photos/11257022@N05/2385525735/

There's lots to do - port tasting, history, day trips to wine country or up the river, art museums, shopping, etc.

http://www.portugaltravelguide.org/things-to-do-in-porto.html

We spent 4 days there (and did lots of port tasting) but you could do fine with 2-3 there and then an overnight somewhere nearby, or split 2 nights in Porto and 2 in Lisbon (though I like Porto better). We did a major splurge and stayed at the gorgeous Yeatman hotel, but when I was looking I found a ton of cute B&Bs and guesthouses for like 50-60 euros per night.

This looks amazing! I've read Lisbon is a great city to visit, but you don't need a ton of time there. I'm going to look into Porto and Lisbon and maybe splitting the time like you suggested. Thanks!

frlcb · January 2012

Porto is awesome. I second it. Why has your sister ruled out so many places?

Also I don't think the beer/wine thing will be an issue. I have never been to a country where you couldn't find both.

GilliC · January 2012

Why is Istanbul out?! Sad It fits all of those criteria perfectly!

How about Budapest? Incredibly inexpensive with plenty to see/do. (I'm actually headed to Budapest for Easter this year!) It feels like Budapest is turning into the new Prague, since the prices in Prague have gone up so much in the last five years.

Florence is awesome, and you can probably catch an LCC flight to Pisa or someplace nearby. Four days is just about right to see the city at a comfortable pace and take a day trip to Pisa and/or Siena. It's a bit more crowded Easter week, but it's not Rome.

PS - Rome at Easter was crowded but phenomenal. Seeing Easter mass in St.Peter's Square and stumbling onto a candlelight procession to the Good Friday service at the Colosseum were experiences that were definitely worth the crowds. Also, if you visit places like St.Peter's early, you can still beat the crowds! We were there when they opened on one of the holy days, and there were only about a dozen people inside with us. We actually had to ask directions to the door from the security checkpoint because there was no one around yet! (Later the same day the queue wrapped all the way around the square.)

TravelingJen · January 2012

If you want decent weather, with the restrictions your sister has given you I would recommend southern Spain (i.e. Seville, Granada, Andalucia, etc). I traveled to that area of Spain at the end of March/beginning of April and most days were in the 60's, with a few low 70's. You could base yourself from Seville or Granada and do lots of day-trips.

Also, another poster recommend Portugal which would also be a good option in terms of weather at that time of year.

ooolalalolo · January 2012

TravelingJen:
If you want decent weather, with the restrictions your sister has given you I would recommend southern Spain (i.e. Seville, Granada, Andalucia, etc). I traveled to that area of Spain at the end of March/beginning of April and most days were in the 60's, with a few low 70's. You could base yourself from Seville or Granada and do lots of day-trips.

Also, another poster recommend Portugal which would also be a good option in terms of weather at that time of year.

I would absolutely avoid Sevilla at Easter, unless you know what you are in for. The ceremonies and processions are great, but it is HUGELY expensive and crowded this time of year, so unless you are going FOR the ceremonies, I'd not do this.

ooolalalolo · January 2012

GilliC:
How about Budapest? Incredibly inexpensive with plenty to see/do. (I'm actually headed to Budapest for Easter this year!) It feels like Budapest is turning into the new Prague, since the prices in Prague have gone up so much in the last five years.

I was in Budapest this weekend and stayed in a centrally-located, lovely, 5* hotel for $150/night. We had amazing, gourmet dinners for ?15/person ($25ish) and some divine breakfasts for just a couple of dollars.

There's obviously terrific opera, great spas (so good for relaxing), good history, and some day trips you can take to the countryside.

Also: Slovenia? Bratislava? Strasbourg and Black Forest/Baden-Baden/Heidelberg?

hz80408 · January 2012

frlcb:

Porto is awesome. I second it. Why has your sister ruled out so many places?

Also I don't think the beer/wine thing will be an issue. I have never been to a country where you couldn't find both.

She's ruled out places because she's either been or is going there (I'd love to go to pretty much all of the places on her list but am trying to be accommodating).

I figured as much with the beer/wine :O)

hz80408 · January 2012

GilliC - Thanks for the insight. Istanbul is out bc she and my parents are going there for 5 days in Feb. (jealous)

I personally think it'd be really cool to be in Rome at Easter; but both H and sister think it sounds like a nightmare.

It seems that most people we talk to either love or hate Florence; although I havent done much research on it myself.

I think Budapest is worth adding to the list/investigating, thanks!

hz80408 · January 2012

ooolalalolo:

I would absolutely avoid Sevilla at Easter, unless you know what you are in for. The ceremonies and processions are great, but it is HUGELY expensive and crowded this time of year, so unless you are going FOR the ceremonies, I'd not do this.

Thanks for the confirmation; I had a friend study abroad here in college and she too said she wouldnt rec going over Easter wknd.

ooolalalolo · January 2012

hz80408:
ooolalalolo:

I would absolutely avoid Sevilla at Easter, unless you know what you are in for. The ceremonies and processions are great, but it is HUGELY expensive and crowded this time of year, so unless you are going FOR the ceremonies, I'd not do this.
Thanks for the confirmation; I had a friend study abroad here in college and she too said she wouldnt rec going over Easter wknd.

Yeah, I was there in 2003, and my sis lived there in 2008/2009 (through two Semana Santas, jo!!!!). Otherwise, Sevilla would be top of my list to suggest.

hollymichael · January 2012

Not sure about the cost of these, but a few ideas: Budapest, Lisbon, Split or Dubrovnik.

MrsA1210 · January 2012

I feel like I've been plugging Lisbon in every post, but we just got back from a full week there and truly it was fantastic. It's a beautiful city with charming historic neighborhoods and great architecture and art. You can easily fill four days - two in Lisbon proper (visit the castle, the main cathedral, one or two museums of interest to you, explore the neighborhoods), one full day in Belem (suburb easy 10 minute train ride - monastery, fortress tower, small quirky museums, famous pastry shop), and one full day in Sintra (daytrip direct 40 minute train ride - you have your pick of palaces, set against gorgeous scenery).

hz80408 · January 2012

MrsA1210:
I feel like I've been plugging Lisbon in every post, but we just got back from a full week there and truly it was fantastic. It's a beautiful city with charming historic neighborhoods and great architecture and art. You can easily fill four days - two in Lisbon proper (visit the castle, the main cathedral, one or two museums of interest to you, explore the neighborhoods), one full day in Belem (suburb easy 10 minute train ride - monastery, fortress tower, small quirky museums, famous pastry shop), and one full day in Sintra (daytrip direct 40 minute train ride - you have your pick of palaces, set against gorgeous scenery).

Thanks; do you have any kind of write up from your trip?

Need your help again: rec a city please

Re: Need your help again: rec a city please

Choose Another Board

Search Boards