Active discussions

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To ask: if you had a four day weekend and a budget of about £600 for flights and accommodation, where would you travel in Europe?

134 replies

lookingdownoncrearion · 28/07/2026 16:34

In March. Had a half marathon booked but I’m never going to get to the required fitness level and the thought of it has me dreading running ever again. So I’m going to cancel and go away.

Any recommendations welcome!

OP posts:
Original poster
lookingdownoncrearion · 28/07/2026 17:09

SummerSally · 28/07/2026 17:09

Take the train to Amsterdam and see the tulips at the end of March! It’s one of my favourite cities in the whole world.

It is just a great place to mooch around even if you get a bit of rain. And low stress to go by train and fits in your budget without the hassle of getting to an airport.

Will they be there mid/early march?!

OP posts:
SummerSally · 28/07/2026 17:09

Take the train to Amsterdam and see the tulips at the end of March! It’s one of my favourite cities in the whole world.

It is just a great place to mooch around even if you get a bit of rain. And low stress to go by train and fits in your budget without the hassle of getting to an airport.

DoggieNamechange · 28/07/2026 17:08

Málaga is such a lovely city. Loads of amazing restaurants, museums and galleries and there are beaches.

Heaps of cheap flights and one of the few places there will be any proper warmth in mainland Europe.

If it was later in the year I'd say Split or Dubrovnik but a bit chilly in March.

m00rfarm · 28/07/2026 17:08

Seville

Papyrophile · 28/07/2026 17:08

Flying from Bristol, I'd go to Beziers and stay in Sete.

EmmaOvary · 28/07/2026 17:08

Lisbon is lovely, stay in the old town.

alteredimage · 28/07/2026 17:07

Belfast?

Direct flights from Bristol. Loads to do in the city or along the coast.

YouBelongWithMe · 28/07/2026 17:05

Would not go to Pisa for four days. You'd be bored stiff.

Lexy2345 · 28/07/2026 17:04

Another vote for Barcelona or Pisa.

blueberry8 · 28/07/2026 17:04

lookingdownoncrearion · 28/07/2026 17:02

Are you vegan?

Show quote history

Yes

Original poster
lookingdownoncrearion · 28/07/2026 17:02

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

Are you vegan?

OP posts:
Original poster
lookingdownoncrearion · 28/07/2026 17:02

Johnogroats · 28/07/2026 16:54

We are going to have a weekend away in the autumn. Think I’m going to take pot luck with Ryanair and see what’s available for a bargain price. Low season so should be able to find accomm at short notice. Friends have used BA holidays successfully so definitely check them out.

In March you may get lucky with the weather but it won’t be guaranteed. I’d choose somewhere with things to do not a beach destination. Marseille? Berlin? Seville?

I was thinking Porto! Or maybe somewhere in southern Italy that may have a slightly better chance of sun?

OP posts:
blueberry8 · 28/07/2026 17:01

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

Twodresses · 28/07/2026 16:57

blueberry8 · 28/07/2026 16:47

Countries are literally on fire right now due to climate change. Maybe not fly abroad.

Hopefully should be ok by next March.

From Bristol fly to Pisa, grab a car and see Lucca, Florence and Siena - all beautiful places.

Johnogroats · 28/07/2026 16:54

We are going to have a weekend away in the autumn. Think I’m going to take pot luck with Ryanair and see what’s available for a bargain price. Low season so should be able to find accomm at short notice. Friends have used BA holidays successfully so definitely check them out.

In March you may get lucky with the weather but it won’t be guaranteed. I’d choose somewhere with things to do not a beach destination. Marseille? Berlin? Seville?

ByPeachPeer · 28/07/2026 16:54

Malaga, cheap flights usually easy to find, cheap when you're there but a lovely city with loads of things to do, lovely buildings etc. and can easy hop on train to one of beach places if you fancied for the day (torremolinos etc)

Original poster
lookingdownoncrearion · 28/07/2026 16:54

IronEverything · 28/07/2026 16:53

Do you just not want to do the half marathon? It's 8 months away.

lol to be honest no. I signed up having barely run a 5k and now I’m realising I can’t really be bothered to train for it and I don’t really enjoy having it looming over me. I bit off more than I can chew, for sure!

OP posts:
Ineffable23 · 28/07/2026 16:53

blueberry8 · 28/07/2026 16:47

Countries are literally on fire right now due to climate change. Maybe not fly abroad.

They won't be on fire in March though? Or do you mean she shouldn't fly for a holiday at all? Maybe carbon offsetting her flight would be something towards that, if she wanted?

@lookingdownoncrearion

I usually work this out by looking up the people that fly out my local airport (Ryanair and Jet2 for me) and then seeing where they're going that has flight times that are decent (morning for the way out, afternoon or probably evening for the way back if it's a short break). Then I see which of those are reasonably priced. And then I find somewhere to stay in one of those places, preferably refundable for at least 48 hours after booking. Then I go back and book the flights.

I have had lovely visits to Jerez, Carcassonne (weather quite variable there), Madeira (Funchal). Madeira was gorgeous and would meet your requirements for sunshine and there's plenty to see there. Athens or similar might be nice in Match? Malta is lovely and sunny and also full of history.

daffodilandtulip · 28/07/2026 16:53

We’ve just had a fantastic break in Budapest. All walkable and easy public transport.

IronEverything · 28/07/2026 16:53

Do you just not want to do the half marathon? It's 8 months away.

Original poster
lookingdownoncrearion · 28/07/2026 16:51

blueberry8 · 28/07/2026 16:49

Definitely needed!!

Show quote history

No. I didn’t ask for a preachy lecture.

OP posts:
YouBelongWithMe · 28/07/2026 16:50

InterestedDad37 · 28/07/2026 16:37

Porto 👍😎

I'm just back from Porto and I absolutely agree with this. Loved it.

Backtoreality1 · 28/07/2026 16:49

Barcelona - best of both worlds with city and a beach! I love spending a few days there. And the food is amazing!

blueberry8 · 28/07/2026 16:49

lookingdownoncrearion · 28/07/2026 16:48

Not needed.

Show quote history

Definitely needed!!

Original poster
lookingdownoncrearion · 28/07/2026 16:48

blueberry8 · 28/07/2026 16:47

Countries are literally on fire right now due to climate change. Maybe not fly abroad.

Not needed.

OP posts:
Swipe left for the next trending thread