Struggling to find anywhere like Barcelona can any one help please?

Voyager2002

happyandcontented wrote: »

Malaga is also very nice and often overlooked.

I beg to differ...

I was there for a month (for a language course): the old centre seems very attractive when you arrive from the UK, but more or less every other town in the region is even nicer. Malaga airport is good for arriving and the town is nice for the first or last evening, but that is about as far as it goes.

Voyager2002

maman wrote: »

:rotfl:


Can definitely recommend Hong Kong during Chinese New Year but agree there are some fantastic cities to visit if a festival isn't high priority.

What is it like in Hong Kong? In mainland China, the New Year is a private family celebration (a bit like our Christmas) that offers very little for foreign visitors.

happyandcontented

Voyager2002 wrote: »

I beg to differ...

I was there for a month (for a language course): the old centre seems very attractive when you arrive from the UK, but more or less every other town in the region is even nicer. Malaga airport is good for arriving and the town is nice for the first or last evening, but that is about as far as it goes.

For a month it may not have the appeal, but for a weekend break it is a nice place with quite a lot to do; free foodie tours, market tours, locals organise hikes which anyone can take part in. As you say, there are also other places in the area ( Nerja, Mijas etc) to visit if you have the time.

loskie

Porto during the festival of St Jao , midsummer is quite something. The best fireworks ever.
Port tasting, beaches nice rural towns near Porto to the north.
We stayed Porto for 4 nts then drove up north and stayed at two more locations for a few nights each.

mgdavid

Voyager2002 wrote: »

.........
-- Praha could well be the most beautiful great city in the world.

that's good to know as we are going there for New Year :-)

Neil49

daveyjp wrote: »

Valencia during Fallas week.

I agree. Valencia is an underrated city but has a great beach, fabulous bars and restaurants, good transport, plus a mixture of an old city centre and an ultra modern science park.

They have many other festivals. While we were there they had overnight partying and bonfires on the beach. This is an annual event in June known as the Bonfires of St John.

Doshwaster

If you like Barcelona then Libson should appeal as it has a very similar feel - but is cheaper and with a lot fewer pickpockets. There are no beaches in the city itself but there are some good ones only a short bus or train ride away.

An often overlooked city is Palma, Mallorca. Most people head straight to the resorts but the capital city is an interesting place.

I also like Alicante. Another place which most tourists bypass totally but there a great beach right in the middle of the city, great nighlife and there's a handy light railway which runs up the coast so that you can explore the area.

slinga

Voyager2002 wrote: »

What is it like in Hong Kong? In mainland China, the New Year is a private family celebration (a bit like our Christmas) that offers very little for foreign visitors.

I worked in HK for 6 years plus and I totally agree with you.

bigadaj

slinga wrote: »

I worked in HK for 6 years plus and I totally agree with you.

Agreed I was there for two years.

There's some good fireworks and dragon dancing parades but nothing overly spectacular.

Better than eating mooncakes though!

bagand96

Another vote for Valencia.