Big Birthday Holiday - Flights Dilemma

silvercar

re changing trains at St Pancras. It’s super easy. You stay on the same platform and wait for the next train.

Emmia

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81939006#Comment_81939006

Have you considered Malta? Melting pot of civilizations, lots of historical things to do and see...

I'd really recommend staying in the capital Valletta and a visit to the Hypogeum (if you can get tickets for your dates). And in October it should be warmish, not hot.

You want to go at the wrong time of year, but Norway would also offer what you'd like to see - the train from Bergen to Oslo is lovely. I'd suggest that for May/June.

Emmia

Just to check as this is a surprise...

Your mum does have a suitably valid passport, and won't object to the photographs and fingerprints being taken that are/will be a requirement for entry into the EU / Schengen area...

If she does, do you have the details for the flight booking? Booking 2 seats with just your details can be seen as an error by the airline, resulting in one of those being refunded/cancelled.

ellenvan

Just to recommend Premier inn at North Terminal. Super convenient just out of terminal and across the road. Makes for a relaxed start to your journey.

Mid week rates outside of school holidays usually around £70 per room.

la531983

Does it "have" to be those 5 specific days.

Ryanair fly to Verona every day until the end of October…bar two midweek days in October half term which has put a spanner in your specific date plans.

NoodleDoodleMan

We've had a few excellent holidays in Lake Garda - went with package deals through Thomsons (as was) on a "Lakes an Mountains" deal.

Transfers to hotels was a big consideration for us - it's a fairly long hike down to the main resorts from Verona.

No idea how costs would pan out compared to a DIY holiday though………and of course Italy is a significantly dearer tourist destination to the usual European suspects.

daveyjp

Thread which relates to this.

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6657572/short-scenic-walking-holiday-advice-please

IMHO when I've looked at holidays when it looks like plan A is going to be too difficult its time to move to plan B.

bex88

Yes it' needs to be those dates as she works in a school (so cannot have time off earlier) and we have 2 dogs that if we can do it partially over the weekend it's easier with getting them looked after. Plus I've already got my work time off booked around that time too.

I've been back and forth with the holiday destination already and I'm decided on Lake Garda now. There a lot of yes and no from different people about it but I'm not looking fit a hot holiday and by that I mean, anything over like 18-20, which at that time of year is it's max anyways (checked last 3 years temps around that time). We also don't like big cities, busy built up places.

Thankyou for the recommendation of the Premier north, will probably go with that one for the £222.

Looking to book it with Thomas Cook (ATOL & ABTA), no transfer as too expensive, but apparently the train from Verona is easy to get to the top of the lake, then bus from there.

TheShape

Premier Inn North Terminal is incredibly close to the terminal.

Premier Inn London Gatwick Airport is slighly cheaper and a short walk away.

Easyjet to Verona is scheduled from North Terminal.

bex88

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81940281#Comment_81940281

Perfect, thank you :D

"Just to check as this is a surprise...
Your mum does have a suitably valid passport, and won't object to the photographs and fingerprints being taken that are/will be a requirement for entry into the EU / Schengen area...
If she does, do you have the details for the flight booking? Booking 2 seats with just your details can be seen as an error by the airline, resulting in one of those being refunded/cancelled."

I sneaked a look at mum's passport and it expires 2031, so that's all good and mine is getting sorted right now, they estimate up to 3 weeks, hopefully all ok there.
I live with her so I can easily get any passport details etc…