Where would YOU go?

[ChanceEauFraiche]

If you had a few days over October half term child free and wanted to go somewhere / do something just for yourself, where would you go/what would you do?

I’m thinking UK or nearest bits of Europe. Needs to be hassle free, relaxing, uplifting. I’m open to anything, but it’s been so long since I’ve had a break away on my own I’m overwhelmed at the options!

(Budget to be agreed, but I’m not a millionaire! 😆)

Rome
Barcelona
Berlin

I wouldn't rule the canaries out. Its cheap, it's hot and with just hand luggage if you get an early flight out and a late flight back you can have pretty much 4 full days. I've been on my own to lanzarote several times just for 3 or 4 days as I have friends who live there.

Edinburgh, love it. Perfect of 3 or 4 nights.

I would go back to Seville - loved it.

Valencia or Seville

Copenhagen - must be the best set up place for tourists I know. No language barrier, loads to do, easy to get to.

Or Hamburg.

Also agree with Helsinki.

In the UK, I'd go to Cardiff or Belfast.

In October 2019 just before Covid, I took a flight to Treviso in Italy and a bus from there to Padua (Padova). Fabulous little city, with great art treasures, cathedrals and eats. The Scrovegni Chapel frescoes are amazing. Felt very safe on my own.
There is a train from there that gets to Venice in half an hour. Got the earliest train at stupid o'clock and when you get off, OMG you are on the Grand Canal. Spent the day and evening there, and took the last train back to Padua.
Then I took a train to Bologna. Again stupid o'clock and ate my way around the place. It was fantastic.
I suppose we all think places that we really enjoyed will suit others, but that's not always the case! However, just throwing it out into the mix.

@fizzywat that sounds bloody perfect

Second Seville and Nice! hopefully warmer than UK at that time of year. Maybe Rome or Milan (flights usually cheap, lake Como and Garda not too far!), Nerja.

Berlin is my favourite city break destination of recent years and the one I want to go back to.

@BorisJohnsonsHair I know loads of people who have been abroad, myself included who have had hassle free flights and travel.

I have been away a few times this year already, and apart from having one flight cancelled two weeks before departure and a full refund, I’ve had pretty seamless airport and flight experiences.
last flight to France, we were through security in 10 minutes, and the plane took off only 15 minutes late!
I am off again soon!

I’d do Rome Madrid Granada or Seville!

@fizzywat That sounds bloody amazing. One to add to my very long list!

For just a few days The Daffodil Hotel & Spa in Grasmere Lake District. A lovely hotel right on Grasmere , a few spa treatments , a walk around the mere ( small lake ) would take about an hour or two with autumnal colours . Village is pretty , you could also visit Keswick & Windermere.

Cyprus is lovely in the October half term

Portugal

One of my favourite city breaks is Porto. Have been many times.
Another recommendation op.

If you like spa's, Budapest? Lots of people on their own in them, and as they are public, they are not expensive. They each have a different feel.

I’d go to Rovinj or Pula in Croatia, Perast in Montenegro or possibly Corfu old town for a relaxing break with good food, a beautiful old town and beaches.
if I wanted more to do I’d go to Amsterdam or Barcelona.

I'd go to Budapest. I'd go to a different thermal spa each day, wander around the covered markets, explore Buda hill with its tunnels iun the caves, hiding a hospital and a church, take a river trip down the Danube and wander around Margrit's island park. I'd have an early drink at the ruin bars before they get too lairy and then go to the opera or ballet.

@NCHammer2022 - what did you do there? I keep thinking I want to go to Berlin but am not sure what I'd get up to once there.

Santiago, Galicia.

We went to Amsterdam in October, the weather was miserable and it was still really packed, I wouldn't recommend. Anywhere in UK at half term is likely also to be miserable for the same reasons IMO. I'd go Lanzarote, Cyprus or Rhodes for the best chance of decent weather (but none are very close).

Porto is lovely, I really like Malaga too, Palma Mallorca is another really lovely option - all just the right size for a short break. Rome and Barcelona are not places I'd choose for laid back, hassle free stays and i'm not a fan of Madrid or Seville.

Budapest is wonderful IMO, the thermal baths are amazing, too far though maybe? not so keen on Copenhagen and I can never see what there is to do in Helsinki. Galicia is absolutely wonderful - but end of October is not the time to go!! Berlin is not somewhere I find uplifting personally, Istanbul on the other hand is fabulous - but again quite far!

So Porto, Malaga or Palma Mallorca would be my recommendations based on what you're looking for.

I’m not sure the “where” matters. I’m not a fan of staying in any hotel alone and not knowing anyone. Therefore I would book a stay somewhere with classes. An Italian cookery school? An art class? A music break? A tour of culture with others? Anywhere! I would not want to be on my own.

This was literally me a couple of weeks ago. We booked Menorca in the end, based on where easyjet flew to from our airport as flights become expensive and indirect (for us) out of season.