Please please help me with a surprise city break for DH

[KefaloniaBaby]

So DH is 40 next month and we had originally planned to go to Barcelona for a few days - without the kids. But the flights were awkward and meant we'd really need to leave the kids with my parents for 3 nights, which is asking a bit much I think. Plus it was just too expensive.

So he thinks the whole thing is off, but I am endlessly googling, trying to find an affordable city break:

:flying from Edinburgh or Aberdeen to Europe
: 2 nights either Friday-Sunday or Saturday-Monday
: about £500 for the pair of us I know, but it's all I've got.

Can anyone give me any good ideas? Thanks so much...

how about edinburgh??! posh hotel, no kids, nice dinner, easy

Thanks pop but we only live an hour down the road and have family there, so it wouldn't really be special.

I need to go abroad and see the sun!

What about heading to Newcastle?

Could you fly to Barra from Glasgow and land on the beach? Then tour round the Outer Hebrides? Wonderful once in a lifetime experience but not too expensive or too far.

Palma in Majorca is lovely and would make a great short city break. Fri 9th May to Sunday 11th May flights edinburgh to palma £214 for two of you Jet 2. Lots of great hotels sure you could find one within budget.

Oooh Follyfoot had never thought of that.

Can you point me in the right direction at all?

drink I really want to take him to Europe to make it something different. Thanks though.

You won't see the sun but EasyJet do Edinburgh to Berlin. Berlin is great - I was blown away by it. And it's a bit different - not too obvious a choice, IYSWIM.

Madrid? Milan? Any groupon offers?

Lisbon?

All great, I am hitting Expedia. Keep em coming!

Is it cheaper to book flights and hotel separately do you think?

Look on Skyscanner.net, type in your dates and departure airport and leave the destination field empty. It will show all the low budget flights by country.

How about Ireland Cork....Dublin....Donegal....

YY to flying easyjet to Madrid - I did that a few years back and it was brilliant. Such a beautiful city.

Madrid is amazing for a city break, plenty to do and lovely bars and restaurants. Look on Skyscanner for flights, you can usually get them fairly cheaply.

Copenhagen, Budapest, Lisbon.

Flybe for Barra if you want to follow that up

Budapest. Went there a few years ago got a great deal on last minute. Also see if group on have any breaks. Budapest was lovely and very affordable.

Expedia and oppose put together good breaks. We've been (but from London airports) to bologna, Madrid, Milan, Paris, Palma, Athens. 2 nights is fine just try to get a hotel that is very central. Try to spring for a taxi too as it cuts down on transfer times when you are pushed for time. I also love Lisbon and Malaga.

Opodo

Bratislava, Nice, Paris, Rome, Florence, Amsterdam, jersey.

I'm voting for Palma, Amsterdam or my new absolute fave - Prague!

Anyone suggested Innsbruck or Salzburg? Beautiful cities.

Prague, not sun, but a beautiful city and small enough to see it all by walking

I wouldn't have said its warm but might be sunny...Munich is my vote.

Lovely idea for your DHs birthday, OP!
From Edinburgh you can get to ...
Berlin - amazing city, might be v sunny if you're lucky
Prague - prob not that sunny, but beautiful and v walkable
Dubrovnik - might be v sunny if you're lucky, beautiful
Lisbon - should be sunny, great place
Nice - haven't been but should be sunny
Venice & Paris - you can never get tired of going to either IMO!

Have a lovely time.