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
European city break
Hdkatznahtw125sgh · 16/04/2022 10:20
Hi
We are looking for a European city break, it’ll be me, my parents and sibling.
The best break we ever went on was to Berlin. We loved how much there was to do and see, and how big it was. We’ve also been to Krakow, Barcelona, Copenhagen and Dublin. I’m already going to Paris. So somewhere different.
We like green space, interesting museums (like the east Germany one in Berlin), and being able to soak up culture but also plenty of coffee shops etc. Good public transport too.
Ideally no more than 2.5 hours flight from Manchester but this is negotiable for somewhere really good.
Thanks
Topbird29 · 16/04/2022 10:46
Budapest is lovely. The area by the castle is great, and the thermal baths can be a good experience. Lots of green spaces outside the central bit. Also like Vienna (Prater Park is great), and Hamburg. Split and dubrovnik also good. And Lisbon.
Prague is lovely, but now very over run with tourists so think the vibe there is different to 10 years ago.
These were all done pre kids (miss those days)...
EileenGC · 16/04/2022 10:52
Valencia. Ryanair flies direct from Manchester on Wednesdays and Fridays so you could do 5 days Fri-Wed. Flight is 2.5 hours.
The city has everything you have described. The former riverbed has been turned into a huge park, and at one end you have the science museums, opera house with amazing architecture, the aquarium and the Fallas museum (local quirky traditional holiday held every March, museum is open year-round).
City centre is all old town with plenty to see, and you can also take a day trip to the Albufera which is like a coastal lagoon where they have the rice plantations. You can take a boat trip and have paella on one of the docks.
Not as big as Berlin but public transport is good, airport is 20 minutes away on the underground. Avoid going in July/August if you don't like humidity and heat though.
Hdkatznahtw125sgh · 16/04/2022 11:04
Thanks everyone, I forgot to put in I’ve booked to go to Budapest with friends in September. And have also already been to Brussels.
Will look into the others
lamujerenfadada · 18/04/2022 07:36
Malaga is perfect for you. Loads of museums including the Picasso one, Roman ruins, a beach, easy and cheap public transport, one stop on the train from the aeroport, great shopping plus fab cafe/restaurants.
They’ve just opened a rail link to Granada too.
sandgrown · 18/04/2022 07:36
Tallin in Estonia . You can also take a boat trip to Helsinki so two for one .
SpringLobelia · 18/04/2022 07:44
Pre-kids we used to go to Vienna the week before Christmas. Lights. Lippizzaners. Taflspitz. Christmas markets.
Sigh. One day again hopefully. [glares at flying phobic child]
BlueBlueCowWondering · 18/04/2022 07:49
I read your title and came on to recommend Berlin - already your favourite 
. Ours too - our best trip by a long way for us and our teens.
Have you thought about Bilbao/ Santander? Not sure if it's easy enough from Manchester but it's a goid mix of culture/ food/ outdoor interest
whiteroseredrose · 18/04/2022 07:49
We loved Rome. So much history, beautiful buildings, lovely food and general dolce vita.
Agree re Berlin. We combined it with Dresden. The German trains are great.
Next trip will be Munich and Vienna. Lots of history in both but very different.
EduCated · 18/04/2022 07:53
Was also going to say Lisbon. Not so big and bustling, but it’s a lovely city. Decent metro, and trains out to other places (Sintra is fascinating). Lots of heritage and pastei de nata at every turn!
Berlin is our favourite too! Reykjavik is gorgeous, but not so great on public transport (although buses are pretty decent), but you want to go out of the city to make the most of a visit there and that is trickier.
bertieb7 · 18/04/2022 07:54
I would second Malaga, such a lovely city and very few tourists as most head straight to Marbs! Amazing good market, and the oldest sherry bar in the world just outside it is worth a visit- it's so traditional.
wetjumpsuits · 18/04/2022 08:04
Another vote for Lisbon! Lovely climate, so much to do, and absolutely beautiful. Lots of hills, but traps to help you get up and down
wetjumpsuits · 18/04/2022 08:04
Another vote for Lisbon! Lovely climate, so much to do, and absolutely beautiful. Lots of hills, but traps to help you get up and down
ImplementingTheDennisSystem · 18/04/2022 08:35
Rome for the sheer number of world-famous historic monuments you can visit. And it was lovely parks.
To comment on this thread you need to create a Mumsnet account.