Help please- 50th Birthday city break.Your fav city break?

x__Indigo_x

moneysavvy35 wrote: »

I'll also chime in with Barcelona...loved this city - also been to Madrid which I loved, but prefer Barcelona for the beaches. My favourite city break for people watching and sipping coffee was Athens, such a lovely city, has the old and new. coffee bars, architecture, beach life (30mins on tram). Been thier twice during the so called riots and was no problems whatsover. If you were ever to consider this please don't take too much on re the negative press!!

I myself am looking at a taking a city break and am now looking at either Rome or Malta - they seem really nice.but can't comment if they are nice or not. Malta may be up your parents street.

where did you stay in athens? x

again quick look and seems 3 nights 24th-27th deb going manchester- athens
staying in centrotel hotel (3rd on tripadvisor??) about £250 in total?

bb69

I love Barcelona

markwilkinson

Mid feb isn't an ideal time, even for Southern Europe, you can probably discount eating and drinking outdoors. Shame it's not mid December they are going, when I read that my first thought was Prague for the Christmas markets.

Never been to Istanbul or Athens so can't really comment on those. Budapest is lovely but will be cold at that time of year. Dublin will be a bit miserable too and although I like it there (just got back) it is expensive.

If it were me, I'd be tempted by somewhere different (for us) and look at the Istanbul or Athens options. Failing that Barcelona, because we absolutely love it there and will never tire of going.

totallybored

x__Indigo_x wrote: »

i have just had a quick look and can fly easyjet tues 26th-thurs 28th £90 return arriving about 3.20pm and leaving similar times.

new question - is two nights enough??

hotel i looked at the top on on tripadvisor? - Artrip Hotel ? about £120 for two nights.

edit barcelona seems much more expensive hotel wise?

x

I'd always do at least 3 nights for a city break as that gives you two full days.

Barcelona might be better in summer, most people like the beaches and parks so it might not be too suited to Feb. I'm also not too sure about the weather in Madrid in Winter, I have no idea how cold it gets.

It's a couple of years since I've been to Athens but I remember eating out being quite reasonably priced. I paid €12 for a bottle of beer at the bar on top of the Hilton though so don't go there:eek:

pimento

Rome should be temperate in February. I love Rome.

annie_d

Definitely another vote for Barcelona. Have a look at the B hotel x

Doshwaster

totallybored wrote: »

I'd always do at least 3 nights for a city break as that gives you two full days.

I would agree. Unless you get there early on day 1 or have a really late flight back, a two night break becomes only one full day. That's often not enough time to get your bearings, have a good look around and see what you want to see.

a_sav

I absolutely love Barcelona
but also liked Bruges (via Eurostar...let the train take the strain)
Rome for its splendor but expensive
Lisbon for its grandeur
Does not matter where ...enjoy

trailingspouse

Venice in January was perfectly pleasant (actually better than in summer, as in summer it can smell a bit...). Loads to do for a weekend away.

markwilkinson

pimento wrote: »

Rome should be temperate in February. I love Rome.

Interesting! Rome is our list for next year but I was thinking June might be better. Will now consider Feb.