To ask for your best 4 night holiday away?

[JaxingJump]

We are going to take the plunge and escape the kids for 3-4 nights away alone this summer. It's too short to go long haul but where can we go from the UK (Belfast unfortunately so even trickier) for an adventure. We are not interested in 5* hotel somewhere warm as a holiday but want something beautiful, educational, interesting. We've done some amazing trips pre-kids so are desperate for some stimulation. Mainly thinking of St Petersburg (DHs choice). I'd love something like New Orleans, somewhere stunning in Iceland, Venice (never been but this is lower on the list), Zanzibar (been before and maybe too beachy for what we're looking for). I've suggested the outer Hebrides but DH rightly says that is actually somewhere we could take the kids in a few years.

Where with 5ish hrs flight have you travelled that has totally blown your mind?

[Bluntness100]

I think I've been to most European countries now and I think Barcelona is my favourite, lots to do , great weather. For four nights , as day one and last day are travel days basically I'd go short hop to Europe.

[Kiroro]

For 4 nights in summer I would do one of the following:
Iceland
Valencia
Lisbon
Copenhagen

[RaskolnikovsGarret]

Budapest and Vienna were both amazing. Particularly Budapest. So interesting, and so much to see.

Went to Stockholm last summer for 4 nights - was also fab.

[RaskolnikovsGarret]

Budapest and Vienna were both amazing. Particularly Budapest. So interesting, and so much to see.

Went to Stockholm last summer for 4 nights - was also fab.

[RaskolnikovsGarret]

Sorry for accidental double post.

[Twistmeandturnme]

Iceland. Amazing. 4 nights is perfect for a taster. If you go in the summer there'll be puffins.

[2014newme]

New York

[EustaceClarenceScrubb]

Second Budapest, but would recommend Salzburg over Vienna.

[BrieAndChilli]

Rome,
Somewhere in the alps, it's gorgeous in the summer and plenty of things like climbing/whitewater rafting, hiking etc.
London, I love London I know it's not far but there is so much to do and although I love taking the kids I also love it when just me and DH go and stay with our friend.
Hire a camper van and drive around somewhere in Europe

[Chloe84]

Tuscany was lovely. We stayed in Cortona and did day trips to Pisa, Florence, Siena and the beach - Castiglione della Pescaia.

[annlee3817]

Dubrovnik in Croatia, it was actually part of a bigger holiday but we were there for just 3 nights, and I would definitely go on a short break there

[TheFullMrexit]

Marrakesh because its so different but so close. Amazing trip there, stunning riads, great bars and restaurants, loved it.

[Composteleana]

I had a truly amazing time in Venice, it wasn't top of my list either but I'm so bloody glad we went. It was February, it was raining heavily and it mattered not a jot - it really was the most special few days.

Andalucia is stunning too with so much to see and do, with 4 days I'd aim to see Seville and Granada, maybe Córdoba or Cadiz too.

[maddiemookins16mum]

Dubrovnik (boat trips, Game of Thrones tours), Berlin (really interesting), great food and the people were brilliant.

[AnyFucker]

Barcelona....there is so much to see and do

[user1484040234]

Budapest
Barcelona
Istanbul

[Whosthebestbabainalltheworld]

Valencia is great if you're travelling with kids. Amazing science gallery.

[Northumberlandlass]

Dubrovnik, but that is my answer every time

[GreenTrafficLights]

Atlas Mountains just outside marrakech. Lovely hotels, stunning views, great walking, fascinating villages and easy to spend a day in Marrakech in madness of the Medina.

Alternatively I love Istanbul with its odd mix of European and Asian parts and it's all very cheap now due to worries about Turkey's stability.

[BitOutOfPractice]

Venice. Honestly. You have to go there once. It is stunning

Lisbon. Sunny. Amazing food. Close to the beach of you fancy it.

Rome. 4 days not enough and very romantic (though the kids will love it too in a few years)

London? Best city in the world imho

Lyon or Bordeaux. The food! The wine!

Bilbao / Sam Sebastian. Tapas.

Palma (Majorca though Palma in Italy is gorgeous too!)

Bruges.

We are off to Berlin this weekend. Never been before and I'm very excited.

[BitOutOfPractice]

Green I think the government is warning against travel to Istanbul though I agree it's a fab city. I also loved Marrakesh. Was there in January and loved it. Weather was also great!

[MissSueFlay]

We spent four nights in Nice in the early summer - really lovely. There's a very cheap train that you can take from Nice to do day trips to Monaco, Antibes, Cannes, St Tropez. It delivers you into the middle of the towns - so much easier than driving. Visit the beaches, stroll around the towns, eat and drink before getting the train back.

Andalucia is also good - Granada with the tapas and Alhambra palace is perfect for a long weekend. We went there on a longer trip and took in Ronda and Seville as well, but it was a lot of driving.

Could easily spend four days in Barcelona - beach and town, it's a fab place.

[Baconbinge]

Florence, beautiful city with lots to do!

[Elenorrigbywoes]

Lake Garda is amazing. You can fly into Milan and get a bus across. Really beautiful and perfect for four days. Loads to see and do.
I brought my mum to Bratislava for four nights and we got a train to Vienna for the day. Weather was lovely and warm. Loads to do and we had a great time.
If you haven't been to Germany I would also recommend Berlin, Hamburg or Munich. Munich is a particular favourite - you can get a train south and get into the mountains. Loads to see and do.
Florence is on my list of places to go to soon. Some great suggestions from other posters. Enjoy the break!

[Chloe84]

Green where did you stay in the Atlas Mountains?

I remember a day trip there, and having a spicy omelette baked in a tagine in coals in the ground by the Ouarzazate Falls - best omelette I ever had!