Ideas for long weekend in europe please.

mrs_bellamy

Hi, newbie here.

Its my OH's 40th in March and I wanted to book a surprise weekend away for the two of us. He cant fly, so it would have to be a eurostar jobbie, and the cheaper the better as funds are not rolling in.

I was thinking of Avignon or Strausbourg but am not really sure. Where would you guys recommend? We are not into busy nightclubs, much more a bit of history and beautiful views. shopping is good, but not too much please, i am trying to curb the spending habbit! And are there codes to use for discounts?

thanks in advance
mrs bellamy x

funicular1953

Hi,
Paris is great, been there several times. Metro easy to use. All types of bars/restaurants plus lots of museums sights etc. Wherever you go get the Fodor`s travel guide from the library we have found them very good for guidance on every aspect.
p.s. if you do go mind the dog poo! Parisians do not clean up after their dogs!!
Also do not believe the mis-conception that French women are all elegant and well dressed. It`s rubbish. Us Brit. women give them a run for their money!!

MegS

Have you thought about Bruges? Its really lovely there.

mrs_bellamy

hi, not really thought about either place. are they expensive? sorry to be so thick, but i have never been to either place, so really dont know. what are hotels like in bruges?

Any idea how much spending money i would comfortably need for a long weekend? dont want to go OTT, but dont want to be scrimping either as its for a present.

Thanks guys.

richardw

Avignon and Arles in Provence are great places. Cheaper hotels than Paris and warmer!

MegS

Well Bruges is certainly cheaper than Paris. Have you looked in your local paper? I know here in Portsmouth they always have long weekends in Bruges by coach. As it isn't too far from either Calais or Lille for the Eurostar you don't spend much time on the coach and they are always quite reasonable in price. Food and drink is quite cheap being Belgium. Depends on how upmarket you want to go but we always found the bars served decent food.

jaymac_2

We stayed in a cottage in Bruges 95 euros a night and about 5 minutes from the centre.
http://www.holiday-rentals.co.uk/Belgium/holiday-house-Bruges-Brugge/p1280.htm

buglawton

Portsmouth to St. Malo is a nice overnight ferry trip but can be suprisingly expensive if you include cabins. St. Malo is an old walled city in Brittany but minutes from the beach.