Solo wintery short break

[Hoolihan]

I build up a lot of overtime at work over the summer months and life is very busy/stressful of late (work/kids/divorce/house move etc).

I'd like to take a short holiday alone, probably Mon-Fri, late Nov/early Dec to relax and recharge. I can't decide where to go! Last year I went to Malaga which was lovely but I think I'd like something a bit more wintery and tranquil this time. Any recommendations?

I'd consider UK or Europe, would like some things to do/look at, walks, nothing too hectic (e.g. I've discounted the European Xmas markets), somewhere atmospheric with beautiful surroundings and a nice cosy b&b. A lake would be really nice. Budget is less than £700 all in.

Some ideas:

Lindau in Germany - an old city on an island on Lake Constance. Right on the border of Germany/Switzerland. Beautiful city, lakeside promenade, pretty churches, some museums. Lots of cafes and people watching. Ryanair fly from Stansted to Memmingen (1h40) which connects by train to Lindau (better to get a taxi from Memmingen airport to the central station). I believe the Christmas markets are only on at the weekend, which should mean you can avoid them!

Grasmere in the Lake District - lovely little village, much nicer in Winter as quieter than summer! Nice shops to browse, Wordsworth’s cottage, Grasmere itself has beautiful lakeside walks. Ambleside close by for more shops / facilities. Victorian House B&B is so gorgeous, comfortable and great location.

Loch Lomond - one of our favourite areas to revisit, calm and peaceful without being very far from things! We’ve stayed in Luss, lovely Lochside village with choice of accommodation. The Loch Lomond Arms Hotel is good value. So many nice walks around the Loch, including with good paths and easy going. Beautiful views of the mountains.

Lovely ideas, thank you! I'll investigate these.

We stayed at Pension Berc at Lake Bled in Slovenia. It was in the summer but I long to go back for a winter break. I think it'd be stunning.

That looks stunning, thank you!

Vienna in Austria is beautiful. Possible Christmas markets plus you can take a boat trip to Bratislava. So you can visit two countries.

Inverness! https://www.visitinvernesslochness.com/winter

I went to Tallin a few years ago in November. It was cold but clear blue skies, great cafes, fantastic food, very walkable, just enough to see and some lovely hotels to choose from. I think in summer it gets a lot of cruise ships but it wasn't busy in winter.

For that budget I would get a cottage in the UK. I love Exmoor but might be too rural for you at that time of year. How about a cottage in the countryside near York or in Northumberland. You could do some walking and pop in to towns/ cities as you wish.

I met a friend there who'd got a ferry over from Stockholm to Tallin so you could do a 2 centre break.

I love Cornwall at that time of year. No mad crowds and the beaches are just as lovely to wander along in winter. We often go at the beginning of March for this reason.

St Ives is gorgeous off season, lots of lovely cafes etc. Can recommend Una St Ives - has an onsite restaurant (extremely good food), pool, etc and it's a gorgeous walk down to Carbis Bay from there plus you can get the train easily.

Oooh lots to research here, thanks all! Una St Ives looks absolutely wonderful.

Had already thought about Tallinn as it looks perfect but slightly put off that there are no direct flights from Gatwick (I'm on the south coast). I'll revisit that!