5 Yr wedding Anniervisary - Which city ?

Pee

If you want Vienna, try flights to Bratislave - Ryanair for instance - I haven't done it but it is on my plans and friends that live in Vienna say the bus link is good. Think there is also a boat/ hydrofoil? Better for me for instance than having to get to a London airport and then landing in Vienna.

Pee

I would agree with Florence, it is beautiful, and Rome is also lovely, even though I can safely say I much prefer Venice and Florence. It is a matter of taste and everyone has a favourite. Maybe try two of them? Venice to Florence by train is doable and you could fly into one and out from the other.

Istanbul is on my list too, but I was warned it was very cold and unpleasant in the winter? (Mind you I was also told this about Morocco and that wasn't true at all.)

PompeyPete

Pee - I suppose Istanbul can be cold in December, but it still attracts many, many visitors from all over the world. But surely any European destination can, and probably will be perishing in December. We spent a couple of weeks in Prague and then further afield within the Czech Repulic a few Novembers ago, and we were practically snowed-out for the duration. At least Istanbul has a fighting chance of being pleasant during the day, being as it's further south than a lot of the suggested destinations.
Where you say unpleasant I assume you're referring to the weather as well? Advice is to be prepared, it's winter!
Like you I've been to Morocco, in January, and found it pleasant during the day and chilly at night.
You pay your money and take your chance!

Bean_Counter

PompeyPete wrote: »

The ferry from Eminonu will take you from Europe to (wonderful) Kadikoy in Asia in 25 minutes. How's that for intercontintal travel, and for 60p!

I remember one time in Atyrau, Kazakhstan we our accommodation was on one side of the river that separated Europe and Asia and the office on the other. So we crossed continents daily over a little bridge.

poet123

PompeyPete wrote: »

No-brainer for me.
ISTANBUL - absolutely awesome destination.
Hotel Hanedan is a gem, and inexpensive. Google it, and look at the photogallery. Then look on Trip Advisor or Booking.com for reviews.
The old part of Sultanahmet is full of worldclas sights, Grand Bazaar, Grand Mosque to name a couple. Everything is within easy walk of many hotels.
Public transport, trams and ferries are cheap and frequent, ie 60p whether you get off at the next stop or stay until the last. The ferry from Eminonu will take you from Europe to (wonderful) Kadikoy in Asia in 25 minutes. How's that for intercontintal travel, and for 60p!
EasyJet fly to Sabiha Gokcen airport on the Asian side. Public transport into the city is by bus, ferry and tram (total cost £2.50).
It's not in the Eurozone either, so definately a lot more for a lot less.

It isnt everyone's cup of tea though, I wasn't at all keen. I hated being hassled by shopkeepers and guides, and we had to be almost rude to get out of one carpet shop. Not a romantic weekend destination in my book. But of course, each to their own.

ailuro2

Take her to see the Northern lights if your budget will stretch a bit.:D

PompeyPete

poet123 wrote: »

It isnt everyone's cup of tea though, I wasn't at all keen. I hated being hassled by shopkeepers and guides, and we had to be almost rude to get out of one carpet shop. Not a romantic weekend destination in my book. But of course, each to their own.

Only get involved with a carpet salesman if you are interested in buying one. There is a knack, and you need to know it! Tbh I can't see the fascination in carpets. A carpet shop isn't somewhere I'd want to take my missus on a romantic weekend! I agree that in some of the touristy areas there is very low-level hassle from shopkeepers. A smile and "No thank you" usually does the trick. I don't like it either, nor do I particularly care for the average tourist. But within minutes it's easy to leave the tourist areas behind, and see the real Istanbul. It's inexpensive, and an absolutely unforgettable experience. But to make the most of it also takes a little bit of pre-trip planning. I'd advise anyone planning a visit to take a look at the Istanbul Forum on Trip Advisor.

If I was in conversation with you (or anyone), and we got talking about any major world-class destination, and you said something like the above quote, I'd excuse myself, and go and find someone interesting to talk to! Sorry, but it was a very shallow thing to write.

poet123

PompeyPete wrote: »

Only get involved with a carpet salesman if you are interested in buying one. There is a knack, and you need to know it! Tbh I can't see the fascination in carpets. A carpet shop isn't somewhere I'd want to take my missus on a romantic weekend! I agree that in some of the touristy areas there is very low-level hassle from shopkeepers. A smile and "No thank you" usually does the trick. I don't like it either, nor do I particularly care for the average tourist. But within minutes it's easy to leave the tourist areas behind, and see the real Istanbul. It's inexpensive, and an absolutely unforgettable experience. But to make the most of it also takes a little bit of pre-trip planning. I'd advise anyone planning a visit to take a look at the Istanbul Forum on Trip Advisor.

If I was in conversation with you (or anyone), and we got talking about any major world-class destination, and you said something like the above quote, I'd excuse myself, and go and find someone interesting to talk to! Sorry, but it was a very shallow thing to write.

And you are quite rude and presumptious. I am a seasoned world traveller (rather than tourist) and have seen all the sites in Istanbul that you mention, and more, and it was not to my taste.

Turkey is notorious for hassle from shopkeepers, many people like it, I don't, and we didn't find a polite No, solved the issue, they were very pushy indeed.

That may not have been your experience but it was mine, on two different trips. if that makes me shallow so be it.

Bob_the_Saver

poet123 wrote: »

And you are quite rude and presumptious. I am a seasoned world traveller (rather than tourist) and have seen all the sites in Istanbul that you mention, and more, and it was not to my taste.

Turkey is notorious for hassle from shopkeepers, many people like it, I don't, and we didn't find a polite No, solved the issue, they were very pushy indeed.

That may not have been your experience but it was mine, on two different trips. if that makes me shallow so be it.

Forget the shopkeepers is the shoeshine crooks that are the biggest problem.

PompeyPete

poet123 wrote: »

Turkey is notorious for hassle from shopkeepers, many people like it, I don't, and we didn't find a polite No, solved the issue, they were very pushy indeed.

Blimey, you've extended your net to the whole of the country now! You make it seem like nowhere is safe from pushy traders.

I've just been looking at some of the pitfalls awaiting the unwary in Venice. It's seems just as easy there to have your stay in that wonderful city soured by the odd unpleasant incident. Is there such a thing as an honest Gondolier?