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Holidays

Use our Travel forum for recommendations on everything from day trips to the best family-friendly holiday destinations.

Original poster

First holiday with no kids. Inspiration please.

28 replies

ShenanigansInOctober · 19/04/2023 20:22

DH and I are looking to go somewhere in Europe in October. First time away just the 2 of us in nearly 20 years. We're looking for warm weather but not necessarily baking heat. We want to be in a town or small city for lots of eating choices plus a few bars but we're not clubbers anymore! Preferably coastal. Not too far from an airport to minimise travelling time. Thoughts so far have been Lisbon, Sitges, Palma or Soller in Mallorca. Has anyone got any recommendations please?

OP posts:
countdowntonap · 19/04/2023 20:57

There is some fantastic food in Funchal, as well as lovely accommodation. Plenty to do and see on Madeira!

PizzaPastaWine · 19/04/2023 21:13

Chania, Crete.

TwoBigNoisyBoys · 19/04/2023 21:14

Following with interest…I’m planning a September break with my partner with the exact same criteria as you so I’m being nosey!

gloriousnamechangesgalore · 19/04/2023 21:17

I would second Funchal all the way. We went there for our first holiday minutes kids in 2021 and been again twice since.
Relaxed yet plenty to do if you can be bothered. Fantastic food and drink.

Icequeen01 · 19/04/2023 21:21

The Amalfi Coast. Simply stunning.

Original poster
ShenanigansInOctober · 19/04/2023 21:28

Thanks! Going to look at those ideas. Haven't been to Madeira and we like going new places. Amalfi coast is also a good idea.

OP posts:
Icequeen01 · 19/04/2023 22:19

ShenanigansInOctober · 19/04/2023 21:28

Thanks! Going to look at those ideas. Haven't been to Madeira and we like going new places. Amalfi coast is also a good idea.

It was where DH and I went on our first holiday without our DS. I can't tell you how wonderful it was!

Shylo · 19/04/2023 22:24

How long are you away for? If it’s a shorter break I would totally recommend Seville (altho it doesn’t meet the coastal criteria) …… beautiful old city, 25 minutes from the airport in a cab that cost EUR26, lots of wonderful places to eat and drink and the sunshine was gorgeous :)

KatWeasel · 19/04/2023 22:29

Porto
Cadiz
Seville
Sagres

ssd · 19/04/2023 22:41

Nice

Original poster
ShenanigansInOctober · 19/04/2023 22:43

Shylo · 19/04/2023 22:24

How long are you away for? If it’s a shorter break I would totally recommend Seville (altho it doesn’t meet the coastal criteria) …… beautiful old city, 25 minutes from the airport in a cab that cost EUR26, lots of wonderful places to eat and drink and the sunshine was gorgeous :)

We only have 6 days. Seville definitely somewhere I want to go.

OP posts:
BucolicBliss · 22/04/2023 07:19

We went to Dubrovnik without DC - was fab. Had a boat trip for the day to Cavtat (40 mins) and spent a long afternoon under the shade of pine trees next to the sea eating fish and drinking wine- heaven!

WhatWouldTheDoctorDo · 22/04/2023 14:56

DH and I went to Lisbon that time of year. Great for pottering around, eating and drinking, and a bit of sightseeing. Lovely weather. Took a day trip to Sintra. We absolutely loved it.

caringcarer · 22/04/2023 15:23

We loved Salzburg. They have flat boats on a big wide river that dance to walking music, spinning round and round. We went for my 50th birthday. They have a lovely castle too. Trip fountains were really good too. Give the zoo a big miss the bear was in a very small enclosure.

DecorNoIdea · 22/04/2023 15:41

I was going to say Sitges! So easy to get to and you can pop into Barcelona todo sightseeing. The other place I love is Nice

DecorNoIdea · 22/04/2023 15:44

Although thinking again I think I would be led by my stomach. So as Italian is my favourite food maybe somewhere in Italy which doesn’t help

Floofydawg · 22/04/2023 15:46

Malaga would fit the bill perfectly for all of the things you're looking for.

SingLikeADuck · 22/04/2023 16:09

ShenanigansInOctober · 19/04/2023 21:28

Thanks! Going to look at those ideas. Haven't been to Madeira and we like going new places. Amalfi coast is also a good idea.

Do bear in mind it's expensive. A taxi to the area is circa €100 each way alone. That's without factoring in the high accommodation costs.

Another Italy recommendation - Puglia.

Original poster
ShenanigansInOctober · 22/04/2023 16:41

Loving so many of these ideas. We have done lots of long haul travel but mainly stuck to Italy and France in Europe. Dubrovnik is definitely added to the short list. Thank you everyone.

OP posts:
20DigitCombination · 22/04/2023 23:00

Malaga would be great at that time of year. Cheap flights and close to the airport too.

Crikeyalmighty · 22/04/2023 23:05

Malaga
Palma
Sorrento
Seville
Lisbon
Florence
Istanbul (I love Istanbul)

emmathedilemma · 24/04/2023 11:40

Another vote for Maderia!

Silkierabbit · 24/04/2023 13:18

Taormina is really nice in Sicily

We just did Azores spa hotel flying direct then back via Porto staying overlooking bridge and that was lovely. Don't know temps in October.

TippledPink · 24/04/2023 13:21

Costa Adeje in Tenerife. Here currently and go every year without kids. 20 min from airport, we stay in the del duque area and there are so many restaurants and bars within walking distance, live bands etc in the evening, particularly in Torviscas and Fanabe.

Foxymoxy68 · 24/04/2023 13:26

Another vote for the Amalfi coast. We've just come back. Stayed in Sorrento. Stunning!