Where to go? Holiday/City Break destinations

[The Chef]

Anyone have any recommendations for decent places to go? Looking for a few desinations I've not been to before. I'm after pretty much anything. I'm a city fan, my wife is a beach/relaxing fan - but we're both happy with either.

I cant seem to get away from Vegas (thanks to a few recent threads here:rolleyes:), New York, Prauge and the likes. Although i've already got trips to Vegas/NY coming up:whip:
Thailand (islands i.e PhiPhi) came up - but the weathers not great for the time of year we're looking at.

Probably looking at a short trip - i.e 4ish days.

Recomendations on places to go/things to see - please:thumbs:

[--Lorien--]

errr how about Vegas :wack: It is totally awesome...

On the Prague tip I like city breaks in eastern europe although I'm not sure how great it would be with the wife, as I generally go for the beer / party scene.

Krackow,
Tallinn,
Budapest,

How about Amsterdam? It's more than just cafe's and the red light district.

How about somewhere like Madaira? Nice and relaxing.

Not sure I could be bothered to fly to the far east and back for a 4 day trip?

[The Chef]

Vegas:thumbs:
(sersiouly, thats where im at now:nod:) The wife isn't yet convinced so we'll see.

Of the places you mentioned (bar Madaira) i've been to and in all honesty prefer Prague.

Amsterdam has changed over the last ~10 years. Where as it use to be seedy:thumbs: - its now (at least when I last went ~2years ago) seedy and dodgy. Seemed you couldnt walk more than 30 yards without being offered some narcotic. I dont mind telling people to p*ss off but it does get on your wick.

I will have a look at Madeira as i've not been there. :thumbs:

[--Lorien--]

Of the places you mentioned (bar Madaira) i've been to and in all honesty prefer Prague.


You are totally right Prague is the best out of all of them (as long as you stay out of the bars right at the centre that are jammed with brits abroad). I left it out as you said you had been already.

Just go to Vegas, you know it's the best choice, I was there with my girlfriend and she loved it too, as soon as we get back we start saving for the next trip. :D

[Johnny]

If you want a Wife friendly city .. one with Art, music, architechture, romance, wine, food, weather, and icecream .... loads and loads of icecream ... seriously hundreds of icecream shops all selling proper hand made icecream. ... you cant go wrong with Florence.

Likewise if you a single bloke on the pull , go to Florence its full of women looking at the birth of the Renaissance and its global effect on culture, politics, blah blah blah origial works of Da Vinci, Botticelli and Michelangelo ... then ther is the music, tours etc.

just make sure to book tours before you go to avoid 4 hour queues.

Your only 1hours train from Pisa as well to check out some 50gaqzzilion people looking at a bent building

[--Lorien--]

^^ Agreed


Also on an Italian theme I love Sorrento / Bay of Naples. Napoli itlself is a bit of a shizzhole but the bay of Naples area is beautiful!

[The Chef]

Hmmm - good call. I kind of wrote Italy off after unfortunately going to Rome. (I wouldn't normally tar a whole country with one brush - but I did Itally...:nod:).

I've heard good things about Florence (then instantly dismissed it...:whip:) and I will admit one of the best places we went to last year was Portofino in Genoa - that was stunning:nod:. Loved everything about it (although theres not too much too it...:wack: - just a load of boats and a few cafe/bars around the harbour).

Ok... Florence is in the pot. Shall do my homework:thumbs: - dont want it to turn into another Rome:cry:

[--Lorien--]

Yeah I wasn't a big fan of Rome either. To be fair I only spent a couple of days there though.

[A13_SXT]

i like todo several little trips during the year with friends.

last year we did, amsterdam then train to berlin. and in may we are going to munich (bmw factory tour :D) then train to budapest.

but also last summer my self and the g/f, did croatia coast, rimmini and venice, catching the train between places over 7 days, that was really nice.

might not be your cup of tea but an idea maybe?

[The Chef]

but also last summer my self and the g/f, did croatia coast, rimmini and venice, catching the train between places over 7 days, that was really nice.

might not be your cup of tea but an idea maybe?

Like the sound of that. Did you book any trains prior to the trip or just at local stations once there?

[A13_SXT]

Hmmm - good call. I kind of wrote Italy off after unfortunately going to Rome. (I wouldn't normally tar a whole country with one brush - but I did Itally...:nod:).

you shouldnt, Rome is over hype'd and a let down for most, and only worth a day trip at best, the same can be said for Prague, i thought the place was a dump, and didnt know what the hype was a about, crime was bad too, but not as bad as barcalona got mugged there and so has everyone else i know that has been there. bad times!

[A13_SXT]

Like the sound of that. Did you book any trains prior to the trip or just at local stations once there?

you book them all online before you go, northern italy is lovely, and croatia is beutiful. and uber cheap!!

so i would start in croatia on the beach and drink your self silly! train to rimmini which is beach and town, then finish off in venice for a few days for your city fix!

[A13_SXT]

HOLD ON!

just realised we did things alittle differently than i said above^

croatia > ferry > rimini > train > venice > train > florence > easyjet home

the ferry only runs peak season, and i woul pick your own specific time table to suit your time and needs, start by picking your flights, then look at trains and then stay in hostels, dont be put off by a hostel, everyone ive ever stayed in has been amazing, and 99% all offer private rooms and most are on suite, dont think ive paid more than 20-30euro a night either.

[Grazor]

Your only 1hours train from Pisa as well to check out some 50gaqzzilion people looking at a bent building

I loved Florence too, and also think its funny how the Italians celebrate Tower of Pisa since it really is just an example of their poor planning and workmanship :wack:

[jimbo]

Another vote for Florence you could also take iin Siena, Volterra and San Gigminanio (?) while there. Don't bother with Vinci though as there's naff all there.

[kam125]

Dubai?

Beech and City life? Nice hotels, cheap deals, 6 hour flight.

Kam

[parbados]

me and the misses went to Stockholm for new year, can't rate it enough, really friendly people.

One of the very few places i felt safe all the time!

Beers a bit expensive but hey.

Take a nice boat tour, cafes etc....

[wokeye]

Barcelona is a cool city with plenty to do, it is also right next to a good beach which is nice.

[The Chef]

Dubai?

Beech and City life? Nice hotels, cheap deals, 6 hour flight.

Kam

Likely going back to Dubai with work in the near-ish future so it's on a list of "possible" but unless we can stretch to staying at the Burj Al Arab:nod: its probably not going to happen. Also, I see Dubai (and that region) trying to be America - ironic isnt it...


me and the misses went to Stockholm for new year, can't rate it enough, really friendly people.

One of the very few places i felt safe all the time!

Beers a bit expensive but hey.

Take a nice boat tour, cafes etc....

Stockholm is on the same listing as Vegas, NY, Florence etc... - i.e likely. We've been before and had a week on a boat on the archipelago - that was bloody awesome:nod::nod:


Barcelona is a cool city with plenty to do, it is also right next to a good beach which is nice.

Barcelona is one of those places, once you've been to, well... you neednt go back.

Cheers for all the suggestions. I cant believe i'm having so much trouble deciding on a place:confused:. Ive been lucky enough to travel to a lot of places - mainly because we'd pick a region and head to it without much thought/planning. I now seem to have slipped into the mindset of going back to places. Which is good and bad...

[Vez]

Just come back from a Break in Rome, much to see and do and cost for 2 for three nights including flights £360 :)

[jimbo]

just thought of some places not previously sugeested that shouldn't be too hard to get to. Istanbul, Cairo, Madrid, Athens and Berlin should all be fairly interesting places to visit.

[The Chef]

just thought of some places not previously sugeested that shouldn't be too hard to get to. Istanbul, Cairo, Madrid, Athens and Berlin should all be fairly interesting places to visit.


Hmm Istanbul - not thought of that. Cairo is nuts:wack: Spent a few nights there and it was a seriously eye opening experience. Not one i'd like to repeat - but at the same time would love to experience the shear mental-ness of the whole place - coupled with the fact the Cairo museum is one of my favorite ever places:thumbs::nod:. On the subject of Egypt - I've only stopped over in Alexandria - maybe its worth exploring a 'city break':wack:there?

Madrid is also cropping up as the Champions League final is being played there. If I can get tickets - i'd be very tempted.

So... I've 'narrowed' it down to:
Vegas,
New York,
Florence,
Madeira
Portofino,
Stockholm,
Istanbul,
Cairo,
Alexandria,
Croatia,
Prague

Might have to draw a name out of a hat:rolleyes::wack:

Even investigated Everest Base camp* - although thats harldy relaxing (on any level) and something that'll take a little more prep.
* Not intention of going any higher than Base Camp - but still, I reckon they'll be some interesting people there:wack:. And the thought of sitting in a tent at base camp dinking a few cans of beer - really appeals:nod:! - assuming I dont wimp out with altitude sickness

And... Moscow - anyone been to Moscow? - whats the 'vibe' like there??

[jimbo]

Even investigated Everest Base camp* - although thats harldy relaxing (on any level) and something that'll take a little more prep.
* Not intention of going any higher than Base Camp - but still, I reckon they'll be some interesting people there:wack:. And the thought of sitting in a tent at base camp dinking a few cans of beer - really appeals:nod:! - assuming I dont wimp out with altitude sickness


If your thinking of India then it'll be a lot like Egypt. Just spent a week working in Hyderabad, Indian one, and it was totally mental. Do not attempt to drive as the roads are terrible and the driving unlike anything i've seen before (I've driven a lot in Italy and it's nothign compared to India), it's pretty cheap and the food is great (although you'll be desperate for something bland after a few days). The people are really friendly as well but you'll get mobbed by begger kids a lot when in the main squares and markets.

Going to India it's worth going through Dubai on Emirates as you'll get to go on the A380 which is an awesome plane! The bar in business class stocks great booze and good food so you'll arrive really pissed and it's quite quiet so you can sleep pretty well.