To ask you for help planning a 50th birthday trip in Jan

[Axlcat]

Help! I’m so last minute (for a number of reasons I won’t bore you with!) It’s my partners 50th in early Jan - looking for ideas short haul for 3 nights. Budget up to 600 per person. Flying out from Manchester.

Initially looked at a glacier express trip in Switzerland but the flight times are insane and it’s too much travelling between places so it’s fallen through and I’m now desperate.

Now considering Iceland or potentially Venice. Has none been to either in Jan? Would you recommend? I am desperate at this point just really need some help with ideas so open to any other suggestions!

What dates are you hoping to travel?

I want to Prague for my 50th and booked lots of amazing things to do such as concerts in a palace inside a castle, massages, different types of meals, museums a boat trip etc etc. I couldn’t have picked a nicer place and there no crowds at that time of year.

Friends said Prague was lovely.

Malaga is a good shout in January - it can be nice enough to sit out to eat at lunchtime. Lots to see and do and easy to get flights.

We loved Tallin too. Great food.

@Skykidsspy first week of Jan - leave 6/7 Jan

Rome

I'd go somewhere that's idea for winter visiting. So not Venice, which may be cold and wet and you'd potentially spend your time scuttling round with a hood up, and not being able to appreciate the lovely city.

I went to Prague in the winter, and it was snowy and pretty, but it was pre-Christmas so it had markets and decorations etc, and was nice enough. In Jan it again could be a bit bleak.

Iceland is the kind of place where you'd go for an occasion, and where you go to see wintery things, so that would get my vote much more than many other places in Northern Europe.

How about one of the Ice Hotels in Sweden? They are totally geared up to winter visits (obvs), and definitely something for a celebration.

Alternatively, somewhere where the weather might be warmer - southern Spain, Sicily, Athens?

Or - go somewhere where you've been before, or where the weather doesn't matter as much (if you don't want/need to sightsee), and book an amazing hotel - then the hotel becomes the destination rather than the place.

Switzerland could still work with flights to Geneva, even the regular trains are a really good experience. I stayed in
Lausanne and did an excursion to a Cheese and a chocolate factory and had lunch on a boat one day as well as popping to Evian for dinner.

Are you thinking a cold destination or somewhere a bit warmer such as Valleta, Malta?

Venice is cold with no crowds in January.

I did Iceland in Jan for my 40th. It was fabulous but expensive.
loads to do and for my actual birthday I booked a golden circle ten hour tour. Went everywhere and had a couple of hours in the blue lagoon too. (Albeit that's shut right now; plenty other lagoons too). Saw the northern lights, went to Perlan (which is a fab fab museum place) and the penis Museum (which my then 9 year old DD found hilarious - it is family themed). It's a great destination, but can be brutally cold. We had a decent week though.

hurgadha!! i just booked mine today, i booked flights with wizz air and hotels separately but easy jet also so some good package deals.

Iceland is incredible, do that.

I'd do Prague, Belgium or Germany- is the budget just for travel and hotel? Eurostar have some good offers on

I’m open to ideas - bit want to go somewhere with things that are worth seeing! Although cold I at least thought Italy would still have museums etc - Iceland I guess is a real destination holiday. But I’m definitely open to ideas

Any recommendations for things to do whilst we are there or any hotel recommendations?

600 budget each total really including travel

I’m hoping the fact that we don’t drink alcohol will make it a bit cheaper as I understand alcohol is very expensive! It does sound fab and like there is lots to do. Is there a hotel you would recommend? Or a particular area to stay in? I liked the idea of a whale watching trip as saw that you can do that.

Did think about Rome as there’s obviously lots to see in terms of culture.

I can help a bit with Iceland.

price the flights with easy jet, and then look at their package holidays. I paid £950 for two of us for 4 nights. I stayed at storm hotel and went bed and breakfast.

Food and drink is very expensive in Iceland. Think sandwiches and bottle of Diet Coke for £11. Glass of wine £16 etc. make the most of breakfast buffet. Fish and chips for 2 cost nearly £50.

I booked two tours with an independent company and it was fab. You get to see so much of you do the golden circle tour.
Perlan is great and you can get the bus from the centre.
The harbour has a great fishing museum that wasn't too bad.
the church in the centre of reykajavik is stunning and worth the trip to the top.

Budapest is a great low effort destination. Easily walkable, good public transport, affordable. Book a spa day, visit the food market, they have fantastic patisseries for indulgent cakes and sweets, and bar culture was very relaxed so we often ended up chatting until the early hours without even realising how late it was.

If you haven’t been to Rome then that would be lovely, there are definitely enough sights that are really worth seeing.

Seriously look at Budapest. Beautiful city with loads to do and relatively cheap once you get there (similar to Prague in that regard).

Loads of trams, undergrounds etc to get about, seemingly endless bars and restaurants, loads of thermal spas for relaxing (I'd recommend the Szechenyi baths if they're open!), the castle on the hill, boat tours on the river - absolutely love it there!

Does it have to abroad OP, could you do a nice UK break (Edinburgh, Bath etc). Nice Spa hotel, good food and some site seeing?

January is peak season for Iceland because of the long nights and aurora activity. You're not going to get anything for that budget less than four weeks out I'm afraid.

Would Morocco be too far for you?