Any suggestions please for celebratory short break

[howwillthispanout]

Should be easy but either I’m being fussy or it doesn’t exist. Any suggestions greatly received!
DH and I have a significant anniversary that unfortunately falls around August Bank Holiday. DC all grown so it will just be the two of us. We can fly or drive and it can be in UK or Europe. We have a September beach holiday planned so not fussed about sun, sea and sand. Blowed if I can think of anywhere that will be memorable and not heaving with families wanting to enjoy last few days of summer. City breaks would be fine but don’t fancy looking sweaty and washed out if it’s boiling!
Anyone got any recommendations please? NW and midlands airports are doable
Thanks

I think schools are back in Sweden and Norway then so not many families - when we went to Finland there were more reindeer than cars including some all white ones. It's light until very late in Scandinavia in summer and beautiful pink skies.

Prague has got to be the most beautiful city in Europe so I’d go there for a quick romantic break and book somewhere upmarket in the old town. It’s about the right size for a couple of days & is hugely atmospheric with its castle, medieval bridge and winding alleys. Stockholm is a good suggestion - it won’t be rammed. It’s split across a number of islands connected by bridges, has loads to see and is very attractive (if pricey!). Bergen is gorgeous but very wet in August (rained on and off pretty continuously when we were there one late August with highs of 12/13 degrees).

Current forecast for Bergen is impressive for rain - everyday except one until 19th August and around 17C, weirdly we are going a few hours further north and a lot less rain predicted. We got constant rain in Stockholm and 20C though rest of Sweden holiday and Finland holiday had good weather - around 20-22C and sunny, think we got lucky there and was July. Looks more like 17C and a third rain for this holiday, still originally we were due to spend a week in Bergen. Though Bergen has 240 days of rain a year so maybe its saving all its sunny days for August bank holiday weekend.

:-) sounds about right! Was a pretty view though from under the umbrella! There’s quite a lot of museums to dodge into (although my DD was less than blown away I think by the examples 16th & 17th century fishing nets in the Hanseatic museum!). The cable car up the mountain & walking back down through the forest is worth doing. I’d avoid the aquarium though - the enclosures for some of mammals/fish seemed too small

Ah just noticed after a proper read you’re not actually going to spend anytime in Bergen Penguins. Ignore the above & hope you have a great time!

Thank you. Fortunately I have been disorganised and only booked one outdoor activity - moose safari. I tried to change that but said its too late but it is mainly in a minibus which is good as its 6C and 3 hours long, not raining then but will have been raining all day. DS says its good as it will be more authentic and he loves rain. We have a week on an isolated beach with seals in sea and looks like 4/7 days are sunny there. Have a hire car so can go round fjords but think our beaver safari is out the window. Researching indoor activities. Will be a cheap holiday a least! Will try and book things last minute when rain stops. There's a lovely wildlife safari speedboat by Alesund for three days when we are there but its getting no rain and not too high windspeed. It'll be a change at least.

Northern Spain won't be too hot - Bilbao and San Sebastián are both beautiful cities with an amazing food and wine culture.
Bilbao will probably be a bit less crowded than San Sebastián, there are lots of things to do and if it's culture you want the Guggenheim museum is fantastic.
It's also a lot less extensive than Scandinavia and Venice ....

A lot less expensive! (Not extensive ☺️)

I love Bologna in Italy. Lisbon is wonderful too. What about Bordeaux in France or PALMA in Mallorca? All are easy flights and really beautiful to wander round ( and Bologna has excellent food). A bit jealous now

Oh and my husband adored Copenhagen and gottenberg but I didn't get to go...

Porto is another lovely Portuguese city. Easily accessible from the airport on the metro, lots of history, and loads of port producers along the river where you can test out their wares and watch the world go by!
I would also second Lucca in Italy. It was so quiet when we visited last summer.

@Tabitha005. Would you be able to send me the airbnbs please?

Copenhagen won't be too hot and is so lovely

Tabitha have you been to Volterra? Small but I think you’d like it!

Go to Schloss Elmau.

Spa, mountain walks, some classical music (if it’s your thing)

You can pair it with a couple of days in Munich if you have time

Barcelona. But probably busy.
Palma in Majorca. Has to be one of my favourites. A really nice city with a lovely vibe. Not been on the bank holiday but hasnt been heaving when weve been there over the summer in the past.
Enjoy yourselves!

Thanks for all your suggestions - some really great ideas that we will be saving for other times. In the end we have decided to go to ....(drum roll).... Prague!

Excellent choice! Have fun.

Enjoy! One of the few cities I’d like to go again and again too