Recommendations for winter city break?

[cocopuffy]

DH and I are considering a European city break this November.

We have previously been to Berlin in December (very cold!) but otherwise not many winter trips to places that aren’t just ‘a week in the sun’

Ideally within a 3hr flight from Manchester, as we’d only be looking to go for max 4 days so don’t want to feel like we’ve spent more time on a plane than exploring!

Love history and animals, so places that have lots of either are great.

The current favourite is Rome, any other recommendations?

Don’t mind temperature too much, but ideally we won’t be paying for luggage to keep costs down so hopefully not somewhere we need to pack very warm for.

Seville can be very pleasant Nov/December - lots to see.

Will look at Seville, thank you!

Ghent and Bruges.

We have been away between Christmas and NY for the last three years. We went to Krakow which was lovely. So was Budapest. We were in the thermal spa on new Year's Day. Last year Lisbon for a warmer break for a change. This year we are going to Tallinn, but there is no direct flight so we are going via Helsinki.

Budapest, beautiful city with lots of history.

Dubrovnik was amazing! Went in September a few years ago. It was really hot then, not sure of November temperatures. So much to see and do and so beautiful.

I had a fab time in Copenhagen recently. Short flight everyone speaks English and is polite -just dont cycle on your first visit!

I loved Venice in February

How about Bilbao & San Sebastián?

Yes, also Granada or Córdoba

I was going to suggest Reykjavik till you said you want history, animals and only carry on baggage 😕
We went in Dec a few years ago, only for 4 days and really enjoyed it. Yes, short days but things open early and late. I loved the museums in Reykjvavik, golden circle tour and blue lagoon. We walked all over and enjoyed it.

Malaga? Several museums, the lovely fruit/veg market atarazanas, alcazaba and easy to walk around. A day trip via train to Ronda is recommended.

DH and I are looking to go to Athens in Nov. Plenty of history but I have no idea about animals.

Reykjavik is nice for a short break but my favourite is the Faroe Islands.

Not too far from the UK but has a really remote feel to the place. Sparsely populated meaning once you get out of Torshavn you really are in an unspoiled wilderness. The scenery is stunning. Definitely Europe’s hidden gem.

I imagine any Southern European city in winter would be nice

I would love to go to Iceland, but probably a little out of our budget at this stage (and maybe not quite what we’re looking for this time!)

I’d also love Athens, but hadn’t thought of it as a winter trip! There’s lots of stray cats in Greece so that would probably sort us on that front 🤣

Not too bothered about things ticking every box, just want there to be plenty to do that we’d enjoy!

Genuinely never even thought of going here, i’ll have a look, thank you!

Hadn’t thought of here either (that’s the beauty of these threads!) thank you for the suggestion :) will have a look!

There’s lots of stray cats in Greece so that would probably sort us on that front 🤣

When you said you like animals, I thought you meant visiting zoos etc 😆Another trip we did was flew into Barcelona for 3 days, then got a train to Zaragoza. I'd never heard of it beforehand, and rarely since. DH had a conference there. I spent the days wandering around the town, seeing museums etc and really enjoyed it. We then got another train and spent 4 days in Madrid. I know you only have 4 days but they are good places to go off season.

Sicily is another place we went in I think Oct or Nov one year. Still warm enough for people to swim! I can recommend a lovely Bnb in Palermo where the wife made home made cakes and jam to go with breakfast 😋

Porto.

Also, we went to Barcelona in Feb a few years ago and it was lovely.

We went to Lisbon last December and it was lovely. Lots of Christmas lights, several Christmas markets and very reasonable to stay and eat out.

We got the train to Sintra and visited the palace and a bus to Belem where the monastery and galleries are.

We do love a good zoo but wouldn’t necessarily go somewhere just for a zoo! It’s just a nice bonus if there is one!

ooh I hadn’t thought of Sicily, I have been before but in summer!

We went to Lisbon one in December, a mix of sun with the odd shower but still good temperatures.

Plenty to do and I definitely recommend a trip to Sintra, the palace is amazing.

If you look for Christmas - Munich, plenty of markets and great museums. There is a zoo but I don't know how it is in winter.

Tromso. Lots of reindeer! Have done loads of those mentioned and Tromso and Seville were my faves.

I had a wonderful time in Gibraltar in March last year. I went with a friend we walked to the top of the Rock (they also have a cable car). There are museums, caves, macaques, tunnels.

Munich

I came to say Rome!
Avoid the heat and crowds.