Welcome to Mumsnet's holiday forum. Discuss all international travel here, including both shorthaul and longhaul trips. Related topics: UK holidays & day trips, skiing, camping & campervans.
Welcome to Mumsnet's holiday forum. Discuss all international travel here, including both shorthaul and longhaul trips. Related topics: UK holidays & day trips, skiing, camping & campervans.
Holidays
City break recommendations
wintertime6 · 04/01/2020 10:27
I'd like to get away for a city break with DH in the summer. We have young kids and haven't been away in our own since our honeymoon, but I think we'll be able to leave them with the grandparents for a few days this year and get away on our own.
Somewhere that's not too long a flight and is easy to get around and has some interesting things to do etc for a couple of days. Any recommendations? I was thinking Paris but I've been there before and would like somewhere new.
TheCanterburyWhales · 04/01/2020 15:23
Brussels is fab! I was so sceptical, having lived there for 6 mths in the 80s but it was lovely. Gorgeous architecture, friendly people, very easy to get around and the day we spent at the EU was amazing!
Madrid is good too- a million times better than Barcelona IMO.
This summer I have 3 days booked in Copenhagen, Berlin and Vienna.
I'd avoid places like Prague, Amsterdam etc as they seem to have become the Benidorms of the city breaks sadly with loads of drunken hens/stags around the place.
AdoreTheBeach · 04/01/2020 15:41
Lisbon is great. If you can, spend one day in Sintra. Can go by taxi, train or book an organised day trip from your hotel in Lisbon
RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie · 04/01/2020 15:44
Berlin is amazing and it's usually shorts weather in August.
TorchesTorches · 04/01/2020 15:47
Agree with Brussels and Madrid and NOT Paris or Amsterdam. Salzburg lovely. Also Bordeaux.
VetOnCall · 04/01/2020 15:49
Seville is beautiful. Rome, Vienna, Krakow, Dubrovnik, Lisbon, Bruges are all great city break destinations. I loved Naples - you can visit Pompeii, Vesuvius and Capri really easily. Amazing pizza too!
wibdib · 04/01/2020 16:18
Bologna is lovely - especially in summer as the way it’s built means there’s shade over all the pavements in central historical area. Very foodie, lots of history, beautiful areas to wander around and see, not as crowded as many other typical short break destinations. Close enough to get a train for a day trip to Venice, Pisa, Florence and more should you wish.
Maastricht is a lovely Northern European city, as are Brussels, Brugge, And Luxembourg.
Perpignan, Avignon and Carcasonne are great too.
Lippy1234 · 04/01/2020 17:06
I’ve been to Stockholm, Budapest, Paris, Rome, Prague, Venice, Barcelona, Lisbon on city breaks and would recommend all of these places (Barcelona was my least favourite).
Ocies · 04/01/2020 17:23
Seville is absolutely fab. We went in September and it was one of the best city breaks we have done.
cptartapp · 04/01/2020 17:32
Just back from Seville. It's stunning. Highly recommend, but might be too hot in the summer. It was 20c over New Year most days.
Also loved Copenhagen, Rome and Barcelona and Reykjavik.
RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie · 04/01/2020 18:01
I think Copenhagen might be next on my list.
FizzyPink · 05/01/2020 17:21
I’ve done a lot of city breaks and never loved anywhere like I did Seville. Get a hotel with a rooftop pool though, we went in July and it was hot!!
FizzyPink · 05/01/2020 17:21
I do actually also really really love Copenhagen but always been in winter not summer so not sure what it’s like when not freezing 
ContinuityError · 10/01/2020 20:26
Hamburg - UNESCO world heritage site, Beatles history, Miniatur Wunderland (looks cheesy but it’s fab), take a ferry trip down the river, visit the Prototyp car museum, go up the Elbphilharmonie to catch the sunset. What’s not to like?
DorisDaysDadsDogsDead · 10/01/2020 20:31
Budapest. It's huge and amazing.
Helsinki - great fun, and plenty to do.
Valencia - Lovely.
Lille - easy to get to on the Eurostar. Particularly good if you like beer!
Muddlingalongalone · 10/01/2020 20:36
Munich, Budapest (although it was very hot when I was there in June), Vienna are all lovely.
Scandinavia & Lisbon next on my list.
Seville looks fabulous but not in the summer for me!
ContinuityError · 10/01/2020 21:08
And depends where you are so as to be able to get cheap flights, Bilbao.
fedup2017 · 10/01/2020 21:15
I LOVE Rome.
I think it might be a bit marmite... In that if you like history and art it's great, but if that's not your bag it is hectic and very touristy.... But if recommend it anyway.
Also love Venice. Bologna is great if you're a foodie. Florence if renaissance art is your bag ( or if you love" a room with a view").
Been on city breaks to Paris, Barcelona, Prague , Amsterdam etc but my favourite s are all in Italy. Love it there.
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