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

Original poster

Help me plan a 60th birthday looong weekend. For me!

54 replies

bellinisurge · 26/12/2023 11:58

I'll be 60 in a couple of Januarys from now. I want a few days away/long weekend in a beautiful city in Southern Europe. It needs to be relatively straightforward to get from airport to location. By the sea for preference but not essential. Nice mid price hotel.
Thinking Seville or somewhere in Portugal or in Sicily. But anywhere that the hive mind can suggest would be welcome.
DH and I love medieval history.

Your suggestions, please.

Thanks in advance

OP posts:
TheWeeDonkeyFella · 26/12/2023 17:32

Another vote for Florence. As well as being a beautiful historic city to explore you can also do a couple of interesting day trips easily from there e.g. to Pisa, San Gimignano and Sienna or the Cinque Terre.

and I agree - it's never too early to start researching and planning, it's half the fun!

marmaladeandpeanutbutter · 26/12/2023 22:59

Malaga has loads going for it.

Fairyliz · 27/12/2023 15:39

Another vote for Malaga, lots of history if that’s your thing.

DramaAlpaca · 27/12/2023 15:50

I'm keeping my eye on this very useful thread for ideas as my 60th is fast approaching too.

MinnieMountain · 28/12/2023 06:15

Seconding Rome and Malaga based on having been there.
I want to go to Trieste. It looks really interesting. And it’s a port.

AwkwardSquad · 28/12/2023 06:37

Not entirely sure about Venice in January, but I’ve been in November and December and it was wonderful. So much quieter so you can get about without the crowds, but still utterly magical.

AwkwardSquad · 28/12/2023 06:38

And this has inspired me to start thinking about my 60th birthday trip too!

RepetitiveMotion · 28/12/2023 07:35

Been to Seville in February and Venice in November and both were warm and wonderful! Total convert to Airbnb over a hotel in city centres these days though, especially as don’t want to waste time at breakfast. Have stayed in some cracking central apartments with loads of space and character. It pays to book Airbnb apartments as early as possible to get the pick of the bunch.

Rocknrollstar · 28/12/2023 07:43

Why not Barcelona? It would seem to fit your requirements

Sybila · 28/12/2023 07:45

Malaga, is the most beautiful city and if early Jan all the lights will be on still. Do much history, it’s stunning and there’s loads to do

Maddy70 · 28/12/2023 08:08

You say you want a beach but nowhere in Europe will be hot enough for sunbathing in January

How about Barcelona? Has beaches too and if you're there early January 5/6th you'll see the Kings Parade (Spanish christmas)

Also valencia and seville are lovely

declutteringmymind · 28/12/2023 08:13

Madeira is lovely

Original poster
bellinisurge · 28/12/2023 08:50

Hi @Maddy70 , I said the sea not a beach. I hate beach holidays but I love to be by the sea. Thank you everyone for the excellent suggestions. Madeira is definitely top of the list so far but Malaga and Lisbon also up there.
The planning, as others have said, is part of the fun. Being excited about a pre-January payday post Christmas birthday is usually a bit of a solo effort. And hitting 60 will be weird. So I want to make it as enjoyable heading there as possible.

OP posts:
Original poster
bellinisurge · 28/12/2023 08:52

As for lovely Barcelona, I lived there for over a year in the 90s. I want to go there in Spring rather than winter.

OP posts:
Restlessinthenorth · 28/12/2023 09:05

If you go for Madeira let us know! Lots of lovely suggestions for you

Decorhate · 28/12/2023 10:09

I am also going to be 60 in January in a year or so! I’ve started thinking about where we might go to celebrate too.

I agree with whoever said to check out what destinations are available from your local airport at that time of year.

I’ve been keeping an eye on the weather in Valencia as I’m going there soon. Some days recently it’s been 20° if warmth is important to you.

I don’t think anyone has mentioned Nice yet? There is plenty to do in the city itself (and walking along the promenade will fulfill the sea requirement), also an easy journey from the airport. Antibes is nearby if you want more of a beach location, again there is a long path by the coast there. The nearby medieval village of Eze would also be lovely to visit in winter.

singswithitsfingers · 28/12/2023 10:47

Seville is always top of my recommendations. A bit different, but what about Venice?

singswithitsfingers · 28/12/2023 10:50

D'oh hadn't read whole thread and see Venice mentioned already. It's cold there in January but misty and atmospheric. Can also be sunny and is much quieter than other times of year.

Birdcar · 28/12/2023 10:51

Porto.

I love a lot of walking on holiday but all the hills and steps in Lisbon are a young persons game. Not sure I could do it again.

lesdeluges · 28/12/2023 11:14

Venice. Stay in Padua which is charming in its own right and take train from there to Venice for the day - 30 minutes on the train. Padua v reasonable for hotels and the trains are v inexpensive. An hour in the other direction from Padua is Verona, another nice day trip. Very safe and easy to get around. If staying in Padua stay near the tram line which stops right outside the train station.

I did this on my own at the same age and it was a great adventure. Managed to get to Bologna for the day also from Padua, but I had 6 days. Loved it all TBH.

ShinyAppleDreamingOfTheSea · 28/12/2023 14:43

@Birdcar so Lisbon is more hilly than Porto? I recall Porto to be quite hilly . Hmm.

OwlWeiwei · 28/12/2023 14:48

I agree with PP that Lisbon could be good. Very mysterious, romantic, dramatic city. But the only downside is that is heaves with tourists. We were there in late October, so not exactly high season, and there were two hour queues to do almost anything.

Granada in Spain is equally magical and beautiful. But I went years ago so maybe it too is very busy with tourists.

Not S. Europe but Budapest is a fantastic city for a long weekend.

Original poster
bellinisurge · 28/12/2023 16:40

Thanks everyone but it has to be January. I accept anywhere in Europe might be rainy or overcast at the time but the further south it will be, the warmer it's likely to be.
So yes, Venice and Budapest are on my list but not for a January trip

OP posts:
Original poster
bellinisurge · 28/12/2023 16:44

Don't mind hilly but thanks for the warning about Lisbon

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singswithitsfingers · 28/12/2023 17:29

I think Valletta was already mentioned? Stunning harbour, will be reasonable weather in Jan and amazing history. Not sure if there are direct flights from Manchester all year though.