City break recommendations

[Beezerk]

Rome is bonkers busy.

Just go to the Trevi Fountain etc later in the evening, it’s empty and you have the place to yourself. I agree though it can get very very busy in places.

 

[PhilTheFragger]

Naples is a good base for Pompeii & Vesuvius, Florence is lovely, but not cheap.
Plenty to see in Berlin

 

[backwoodsman]

Two I'd recommend have already been mentioned - Amsterdam and Bruges

Marrakesh

Jersey mentioned as a non-city break - I'd suggest Guernsey instead

 

[Jimaroid]

Another I’ve not seen mentioned. I was nicely surprised by Madrid. Wasn’t expecting much of it but had a lovely couple of days of museums, galleries, food and drink there.

 

[BrianM]

I’m going to Palma for a long weekend in a couple of weeks, we visited it on a day tour and loved it so are heading back.
Lovely restaurants / shops and plenty of historic places to visit.

 

[SyR]

San Sebastian is a beautiful town with world class restaurants. Bilbao is close by, and is also a lovely city to visit.

 

[Captainron]

Rome is sensational and I would go back in a heartbeat.

Loved Istanbul too. So much to see and do. Bonkers place. Go with just your passpport and no clothing. You can refit yourself for rock all. Luggage and clothing are a pittance there.

I was blown away by Valencia. What a spot! beautiful city. great food. beaches and less travlled than the other Spanish ones.

 

[Tashyboy]

The salt mines were good. A bit of a busman’s holiday for you Tashy.

? ?

 

[rulefan]

I’m going to Palma for a long weekend in a couple of weeks, we visited it on a day tour and loved it so are heading back.
Lovely restaurants / shops and plenty of historic places to visit.

We have a few days in Palma every year. I didn't suggest it before as I assumed people would think of all Majorca.

 

[need_my_wedge]

Probably won't be having a proper holiday this year so looking at a city break or two with the mrs. Quite fancy Rome or Istanbul, maybe Reykjavic later in the year. Any other good recommendations aside from the obvious popular choices?

Go to Iceland at midsummer, and play in the Midnight Open whilst you're there

Second Bruges & Lisbon. When we did Bruges we took the Eurostar to Brussels & your Eurostar ticket covered the onward travel to Bruges, not sure if it's still the case.

Bruges was lovely, take the car, Eurotunnel to Calais, straight 1 hour drive max the other side. Space to bring back beer and wine on the return.

 

[SurreyGolfer]

Barcelona & Munich would be my 2 faves.

It's definitely on the 'obvious' list but as no-one has suggested it yet.........New York?

 

[phillarrow]

I'm going to buck the trend and heartily recommend Norway - Bergen in particular. It's a beautiful harbour city. Go up the Floibanen funicular railway and see the stunning views of the city and harbour, visit the incredible fish market, if you're feeling fit run/jog/walk up the Stoltsekleiven. Do Norway in a Nutshell, which is a rail and ferry journey through incredible scenery. It honestly is one the best cities in Europe in my opinion. Yes, the beer is expensive but not compared with the total cost of any holiday...and you don't HAVE to drink lots!

 

[SaintHacker]

and you don't HAVE to drink lots!

You had me, right up until that part ?

 

[PNWokingham]

About to board plane at Heathrow to go to Lisbon Paul. Will let you know how it went when back but have heard nothing bit excellent reviews. And got a great deal via BA - 4 nights at 5 star Altis Grand, which has a spa and is well located, with flights for £670 for the 2 of us

 

[backwoodsman]

Rome is sensational and I would go back in a heartbeat.

Loved Istanbul too. So much to see and do. Bonkers place. Go with just your passpport and no clothing. You can refit yourself for rock all. Luggage and clothing are a pittance there.

I was blown away by Valencia. What a spot! beautiful city. great food. beaches and less travlled than the other Spanish ones.

You might have a bit of bother at passport control though ?

 

[3offTheTee]

Think the first thing is to check where flights go from your selected Airport which may be Gatwick. Also exactly what you are after ie culture, beach, scenery. Where have you been before?

We like Spain and would suggest Ibiza town, Palma. Bilbao, Valencia, Malaga or Alicante. Both Malaga and Alicante are stunning cities, typical Spanish if that is your preference with good beaches nearby, great restaurants lively bars.

 

[KenL]

I’m guessing you didn’t eat at Noma, Geranium, Aoc, Alchemist etc
Hardly on a par with pub grub

True, but that style of food is not for everyone.

 

[Voyager EMH]

European cities/towns I have visited,
Paris (twice), Bordeaux, Nice, Barcelona, Bruges, San Remo, Pisa, Florence, Rome, Venice (twice), Amsterdam (twice), Haarlem, Leiden, Delft, Hamburg, Copenhagen, Munich, Belgrade, Thessaloniki, Athens, Izmir, Ankara, Istanbul (twice), Budapest, Vienna.

Paris and Amsterdam have the benefit of being not far away. Great public transport (compared with UK) means a stay in Amsterdam can also give you trips to Haarlem and Delft.

If you’ve never been, then Istanbul is a great experience. Topkapi is a full day.
Bit of a culture shock as a whole, though. Be prepared for endless approaches from street hawkers and others trying to get you to enter their shops.
Get used to drinking hot tea from a glass with no milk.

Nicest city I have ever been to - St Davids.
Although first choice this year is likely to be Edinburgh - beats all those above - this year.

 

[Oddsocks]

Misses socks took me to Budapest for my 40th, one of the most enjoyable breaks I’ve had, we stayed the pest side of the river and it’s a lovely place.

The vintage video games place was pretty cool, we also did the heated outdoor baths and a bit of exploring on e scooters at the sights. I recommend the tiki cocktail bar but my head didn’t agree for two days…

 

[Blue in Munich]

Misses socks took me to Budapest for my 40th, one of the most enjoyable breaks I’ve had, we stayed the pest side of the river and it’s a lovely place.

The vintage video games place was pretty cool, we also did the heated outdoor baths and a bit of exploring on e scooters at the sights. I recommend the tiki cocktail bar but my head didn’t agree for two days…

Appropriately...