3 nights, 4 days, 50th birthday

[BrassicaBabe]

Looking for recommendations.

DH and I don't get away for long holidays because of the kind of work we both do.

BUT I've got a 50th birthday approaching. Don't mind throwing some money at this because we are cautious in other areas. Three nights, four days is probably what we can manage. So something not the other side of the world which eats into time away.

DH doesn't walk so well. So something that isn't a massive trek around a city.

What do you guys recommend?

In my head I wondered about things like :
Sweden, I loved malmo on a brief work visit
Hungary river cruise
Germany, something like Munich or Berlin
Quite drawn to Nordic and other cold destinations

You could do the DFDS ‘mini cruise’ from Copenhagen to Oslo.

We did this one year - fly to Copenhagen, one night in city and most of next day, then on to board ship late afternoon. It’s a beautiful sail away and the buffet is amazing, with glorious views. We had a basic cabin, but I’m sure there are some nicer ones if you’re hoping to splash out. You arrive into Oslo in the morning, sailing in up the Oslo fjord is spectacular.

Then, you can do the day sightseeing coach tour around Oslo that they sell on the boat (we did this and found it great), it takes in the ski jump, Vigelaand Park and optional Viking ship museums. Then, you get back on the boat early evening for the return journey overnight to Copenhagen. We spent another half day on our return before flying home.

So, 3 nights and 2 countries. We did this trip in winter and the snowy scenes were lovely, but I think it would work at all times of the year.

Bruges

Four days is perfect for the Golden Circle in Iceland iceland.nordicvisitor.com/travel-deals/multi-day-tours/golden-circle-classic/1335/

Bruges...it's pretty, compact and flat.

I've travelled extensively with someone who can't walk very far. I really like Scandinavia but for an enjoyable holiday of only 3 nights, I'd pick Switzerland. See a lot without walking a lot. I'd fly to Zurich. Buy Swiss Rail Pass before you go. Rail system is superb,very easy to get around. Go on the Glacier Express one day, Lucerne on another day- get boat to Vitznau and from there get the mountain train up Mount Rigi. Bern on one day.

Munich is massive. I went in October. The subway system is great, but there was still a considerable amount of walking. I don't think the river cruise will take you anywhere near the Old Town, and you'll want to visit there to see the clock in Marienplatz.

DH and I went to Riga in Latvia for his 40th last year. We did three nights. It was utterly fantastic. Absolutely beautiful city with fabulous people. We loved it. People don't think to go to Latvia, and they're missing out.

If you stay in the Old Town, it's fairly compact, but still with plenty to see and places to eat, drink, etc. We stayed in this fabulous Air BnB, which was very centrally located.

abnb.me/UWUJgFtlVwb

If you're drawn to somewhere cold, we went to Iceland in January 2019. Reykjavik is also fairly compact. If you go in winter, you can book onto a Northern Lights tour. We used Time Tours. There's no walking, really, as they use minibuses that can get to places easier than a large coach.

We found Iceland reasonable in terms of flight cost and accommodation. But very expensive once there, so that would be your biggest outlay (£10 a pint in 2019, £50 for two burger and chips with a pint meal in a pub).

Amazing place, though. We stayed in the Radisson Blu 1919, which was very close to the centre. We also did three nights there, and it worked well.

DH has just come back from Budapest, which he loved.

Mini cruise from Southampton, choice of Bruges or Guernsea.

We went to Berlin last year and loved it; great city, lots to do & not too big. Metro from the airport was easy to navigate too.
Another I'd recommend is Florence, but it's been many years since I was there.
Also was in Lisbon last year, great city but very hilly from what I remember so may not suit.

Venice. For sure. Even if you've been, you can explore the islands and the lido and new areas. Romantic fabulous hotel or small quirky Venetian apartment.