Good value city break

JenniferB

Hiya everyone

I'm new so please excuse me if i've posted in the wrong place or if this topic has already been covered.

I'm looking to take my boyfriend on a city break for his 30th. 11.06.10-13.06.10 - 2 nights

Does anyone have any recommendations? I'm looking for somewhere good value to book and also while we're there.

I recently went to Amsterdam which cost a fortune! Partly I think because it's a very popular destination and also because the Stirling is so weak against the Euro at the moment.

I'd been looking at placed that don't have the Euro as their currency and so looked at Budapest but the flights are very costly or for reasonably priced one's it's about 8hrs to get there, not ideal for 2 nights away!

All help gratefully received!

richardw

Which airports in the UK can you fly from?

JenniferB

Any midlands based.

spheric

A rough idea of budget might be helpful... At the absolute bargain basement end, it looks like Ryanair will fly you from EMA to Berlin (the old East Berlin airport rather than the main one, but still only half an hour's train ride away from the centre) for about £60 each, or to dublin for about £30 each from either EMA or BHX


Either of those sets of flights could be moulded into a nice short city break, if you've got a little more cash to spend, it'll likely open up some nicer destinations.

JenniferB

Thanks for your feedback.

We'd be looking around £400 total for two people including hotel and flights.

spheric

If you're willing to travel down to Stanstead, ryanair will fly you to turin and back for about £50 each

There's also ryanair and easyjet flights from luton/gatwick/stanstead to madrid and you can mix and match between airports/airlines as you see fit for approx £70

Having said all that, I think we have a winner

BMIBaby will fly you from EMA to Paris and back (Charles De Gaulle, so the proper Paris airport) for under £60 each - with options to come back on the monday morning if you prefer for a few quid less.

A quick dig on expedia and laterooms shows that a 4* hotel including breakfast for the two of you could be had for just under £250 for the stay... A bit of bargain hunting may either get you a really nice location/hotel for that money or get the price down towards £200 (or you could drop a star).

JenniferB

Thanks ever so much, i really appreciate all the work you've put it. Ideally i was looking for inspiration for a destination that doesn't use the Euro as it's currency as i don't what to fall into the same trap as Amsterdam where it cost us a fortune when we got there due to the weak stirling.

spheric

No problem, I'm avoiding doing some work

If you want to avoid the Euro, then the first places on most people's lists are Krakow and Prague. - I don't like the flight prices for your dates today, but I note that ryanair's special offer fares are due to change tomorrow... Even if just one leg of a journey to either of those places (from any suitable airport) strikes lucky and hits a £5 or a £10 offer, it'll look a whole lot better.

JenniferB

That's really helpful, thanks.

I'd considered Prague but my boyfriends been before so i was keen to try somewhere new if possible. Krakow looks great, i'll going to do a bit more reading up.

I'll check Ryanair tomorrow, so basically the best thing is to keep checking until they have a deal? I seem to be missing a trick everyone seems to keep referring to Ryanair!

Thanks again

wattywattwatt

We booked to go to Krakow in May, easyjet flights and an apartment from expedia, total cost just over £400 for two people for five nights. The studio apartment (Antique Apartments) looks comfortable enough and pretty central, we don't need luxury, just a nice place to crash out in at the end of a hard days sightseeing! From what I've heard there's lots to see and do in easy walking distance around the city centre, and if you've a bit more time there are plenty of day trips, Auschwitz (maybe not for the faint-hearted), a salt mine and some scenic mountain trips readily available. I've also heard that prices for dining, transport etc are reasonable although this was from someone who went a few years back. Hope this helps you to make a decision!

genuinegal

spheric wrote: »

If you want to avoid the Euro, then the first places on most people's lists are Krakow and Prague. .

Prague is in the EU, therefore its currency is the Euro

You could always try:
Switzerland,
Norway,
Iceland,
Croatia and Turkey if you want to consider places that don't have the EURO as their currency, but it depends on expensive the accommodation is and general tourist expenses.

You are limiting yourself though if you don't want to go to an EU country.

If you must consider an EU country, then i'd suggest Berlin. They have some cracking apartments available for £100 per night and you'll definately be able to get your flights for under £200. Even if you are using the EURO, it's quite simple to stick to a budget if you put your mind to it

Btw - I think you are very generous spending that much money on your boyfriend, i hope he does the same for you!