City breaks with DC

[chicaguapa]

DH & I love city breaks but DC (14 & 11) don't share our love of aimless wandering and people watching.

What cities would you recommend to take them to?

We've been to Barcelona and Paris, both of which DC enjoyed. They liked Bruges for the chocolate but didn't like walking around. We'd love to go to New York but it's too expensive and I'd perhaps like to wait until they're a couple of years older for Amsterdam.

We're not into churches/ museums unless it's Le Louvre and I've been looking at Venice but DC aren't keen.

What time of year? Venice is all about ambling around though.

Rome and Venice are both good choices. Valencia is meant to be lovely and has a beach.

Berlin? Loads of interesting historical stuff to do, cool restaurants & cafes.

I second Berlin, or what about Lisbon? Wonderful place!

I fancied Berlin but wasn't sure if there was enough to interest DC. DH & I have been to Lisbon. I wasn't overwhelmed tbh, except by the custard tarts and El Corte Ingles.

Maybe I'll force them to Venice. I've been to Rome loads of times so whilst I know it'll be good for DC, I feel like going somewhere new.

I was thinking February half term, or Easter holidays at a push. I'm not too worried about the weather unless it's Paris which is freezing in February.

Oh I think they're a good age for Berlin- so much recent history, Berlin Wall and obviously WWll, the more recent the more interesting it tends to be to young people in my experience!

And it's very arty. I'd imagine it would also be freezing in February though!

Madrid - loads to see / do. You can get there metro from the airport straight into the centre, very cheaply / fast.

Berlin is massive, a lot to do, but I went in summer and I think winter would be freezing. In June it was far too hot really. I loved Lisbon though so our perspective may differ

www.venice-carnival-italy.com/calendar.php

I don't suppose you'd be going early enough to see any of the Carnival would you? It's pretty awesome, lots of people dressed up just wandering around posing in fantastic costumes, various events etc to watch.

Rome or Stockholm.

Rome is a good one. Not too cold. Great food and gelato all a fraction of the cost of Venice.

York is wonderful, I live it so much.
Manchester has lots going on.
Vienna is fascinating, and very easy to navigate.
Copenhagen is fantastic.
There are going to be cheap flights to New York (Icelandic air? Norwegian air? One of them) soon, which might be a possibility.
Rejkyavik of course.
I'm eyeing up Munich next.

To be honest, having just been to Venice I'm not sure as I'd recommend it for teens. Incredibly expensive and lots of wandering around, looking at churches and drinking expensive aperitifs.

A few places they might enjoy:

Madrid - I went for a city break there and was very impressed. Nice modern city with a fabulous tapas hall and lots to see

Cologne - Chocolate museum best ever ( will be chilly in Feb)

Vienna - Christmas markets are fab ( as above re temperature)

Brussels - Manneken Pees would I think be enjoyed by teens, lumiere show in the evenings in the summer

What about Bilbao? Then you can get a train to San Sebastian as well.

Madrid could be an option. We have family/ friends in Copenhagen, York & Manchester so know them fairly well. I've been to Bilbao/SS and don't think they're DC's cup of tea.

The Venice carnival ends Wednesday of half term so doable, but the flights have all gone up since I looked on Saturday so suspect it's been priced out now.

Having perused some websites, I'm going to have a look at Malaga. I think north Europe will be too cold, which is a shame as Amsterdam was sneaking its way back on the list. We were frozen in Paris, even with thermals and skiwear on, and we vowed never to go in February again.

Have you considered Marrakesh? That would keep them interested.

Basel, like all of Switzerland though, is hideously expensive.

If you want warm in Feb in Europe you're really limiting yourselves to southern Spain - so yes Malaga or Palma would both work. The Med can be rainy though until March/April, so you're not guaranteed good weather. If you wait until the May half-term you'll have more choices.

Oh yes Marrakesh is a good one! I've been there and there's lots to do. The men can be rather lecherous, so cover up.

I don't need warm, just not sub zero bone-chilling temperatures.

I'll have a look at Basel. The dates fit for the carnival but suspect that will be reflected in the price.

Marrakesh doesn't appeal at all tbh. Mainly as I don't like Moroccan food.

How about Lucerne? You could various day trips up mountains, sledding, across the lake, transport museum (if that is your thing!) as well as enjoy the old town. Iirc they do Fasnacht too. Maybe divide time between there and Zurich, Basle or Bern.

Oh yes Lucerne is fabulous - there's also an amazing mirror maze which DH and I loved. Might be a tad chilly in Feb though.

Basel is Switzerland - it will be very chilly in Feb - as will all of northern Europe. Venice will be freezing and very damp in Feb.

Okay, so not freezing and reasonably interesting for teens ...

I think your original idea of Rome would be a good bet. Or maybe Athens? Or what about Istanbul?