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.

We went to Budapest in November. Loved it. Beautiful walkable city with lots of history.

Valencia is lovely and has a fabulous aquarium set up, Ljubljana was nice just before Xmas and Budapest had lots to do.

We’ve done Rome in November and February. Highly recommend as it’s nowhere near as busy as summer . The same applies to Venice and Florence .

I forgot, we also went to Budapest in early Nov. We wore jeans and warm jackets and it was fine. They'd some snow a few days beforehand but all the roads/footpaths were clear and it didnt affect us. We walked everywhere and the Gellert hot spring baths were lovely.

DD went to Seville a few weeks ago and absolutely loved it. Said it was very pretty and unspoiled by tourism.

We loved Prague (the old town), but you need to choose where you stay carefully as the newer part is very naff and tacky.

Agree 100% on Lisbon. We've been a couple of times in Winter and absolutely loved it. The weather was very mild and it was so much less crowded than the summer months. November is the wettest month in Lisbon though so you'd have to be prepared for some rain.

You mentioned Rome yourself OP, and if you have never been, it is definitely the place to choose. Especially in Winter as it's absolutely heaving at most other times. There is a cat sanctuary at Torre Argentina (where Caesar was assassinated), and the cats rule the place. I think you'd love that. And all the rest of the city, Ancient, Religious, Baroque, modern etc., so much to see, so little time. Definitely one of the best cities I have ever been, and I've been to quite a few by now.

No direct flight to Talinn? Really?
We went a few years ago in February and flew direct. Pretty sure it was Easyjet from Luton, but not 100%.
Absolutely stunning place, heavy snowfall but so picturesque.

Gibraltar (loads of history and the monkeys) or Málaga maybe?

I would love to go there.

We had a great February break in Madrid a few years ago. Bitterly cold winds but lots to do and see.

If you do decide on Rome, great choice, I'd certainly recommend a day trip visiting Ostia and the ruins at Ostia Antica.

We are in Yorkshire so Luton is too much faff for us

Absolutely agree. Make time to go there, it's only half an hour on the train from Porta San Paolo. Better than Pompeii IMO, no crowds, just magnificent and a totally underrated Roman site.

In fact, last time I went to Rome I stayed on the coast at Ostia Lido, it was a great decision as it was during the Jubilee year and Rome itself was heaving and expensive! The train from the coast took about half an hour into Rome, and it was only two stops to the Antica site too. It might not suit everyone, but it was brilliant being in a lovely Italian seaside town with lots going on, and yet be able to go in and out of Rome for the day/evening at will.

Would highly recommend Thessaloniki. Cheap, short flights from Manchester. An absolutely beautiful city literally filled with history. Great food scene. Beautifully decorated over the festive period with "cafe culture" totally embraced with out door heaters and blankets etc.

Barcelona? Should be mild in November.

We loved Antwerp loads to see and eat

I'm there right now, loads of history as well, before the 1970s at the biggest Jewish population in Europe

I was going to suggest Tromso.

Reindeer, husky rides and northern lights.

It's been on my list for a winter trip for ages.

Went there mid November a number of years ago and it was gorgeous but you will need a lot of clothes. It's not possible with hand luggage. The airport is the best. The cathedral, the funicular, the food, and the museums.

If lucky like we were, the fabulous northern lights.

You must go. Have been to Reykjavik too and Tromso wins hands down.
Saw the NL every night (February).

Napoli and Krakow are my favourite European cities.