Where shall I go for my 50th birthday?

[AnonymousBleep]

It's over the Easter bank holiday next year, which is quite convenient as it's a four day weekend and seems silly not to go away and do something fun. But I don't know where to go! It'll probably be me, my daughter and my brother as I'm a single mum and my son has his GCSEs so needs to stay home and revise. I was thinking maybe New York but it's pretty expensive and then my son will either insist on coming or be annoyed at missing out! Budget is variable but I don't want to go too mad. It's my 50th though! Where would be an amazing place to go for a long weekend? We all enjoy a mix of things - culture, cocktails, sightseeing and lovely lovely food.

Ooh choices, choices!

I'll kick off with Marrakesh, Seville or Aix-en-Provence.

Norse is worth keeping an eye on, they sometimes have reasonable NYC flights

Maybe do something lovely but local for your birthday, and go to NY after GCSE's have finished?

We went to NY together after the GCSEs as part of the Summer holiday, same issue you had, just not worth annoying a stressed teen

We went to Prague all together over Easter, I found a decent break from revising did help DD re-set her mindset.

What were your thoughts on Prague?

We went to Edinburgh for my 50th, only done a short flight as it was our first time in a plane 🤣 no passport required!

Aix en Provence is beautiful but it might be a bit limited for a 4 day stay. You could combine with a day trip to Marseille if you like Mediterranean urban gritty ( I do but not everyone does), or to Cassis which is a beautiful little seaside town, or hire a car and head to the Luberon for some hiking.

Rome! All of the things you like and perfect temperature at Easter.

I LOVE Rome but went there this year! (In summer - it was too hot!)

I was also gong to suggest Prague, I went there for my 50th.

Bologna
Venice
Budapest
Naples
Florence

Malaga. Beautiful city which has it all. Beaches, food, wine, history.

Krakow, beautiful city, overflowing with art, gorgeous restaurants, ticks all your boxes. You would probably be able to fit in a day trip to the the nearby mountains too.

DH took me to Krakow for my 50th, this October. It was amazing. Fantastic food, loads to see and do, both day and night and we managed a day trip to Zakopane, the most beautiful mountain resort.

Prague is a great city. It's so easy to avoid stag dos

I went to Reykjavik for mine. Was amazing and we'd love to go see more of Iceland.

@LittleGreenDuck - next year is a huge jubilee year in Rome. Easter is already a very busy time and that will top it. 2025 is not the year for sightseeing.

@AnonymousBleep We loved Prague, DH and I had been before. Walkable, lots to do, lovely and fairly cheap food and drink and we had no issues with stag dos. More with Italian tour groups who were everywhere.

Rome has the Jubilee next year so will be likely be mad and expensive at Easter. Seville will have Semana Santa parades so could be marvellous. I took my best friends and sister to Barcelona for my 50th. It was fabulous. Nice weather, great food, lots to do and see. We loved the evening Tapas tour we did.

Valencia, Seville, Venice, Lisbon.

Bit mean to leave your DS at home, surely he can take 4 days off revision? Mine will be.

Budapest
Florence
Paris

I spent my 40th in Paris & my 50th in Florence they're both special cities to me so I was really happy to go back on those occasions & I've been to both since those birthdays too.

Budapest is a beautiful city & we've been a few times & will definitely be back. I'm thinking 2025.

San Sebastian by train, premier or first class upper deck all the way - European trains have bars and nice views. SS has it all, beaches, a saltwater spa, foodie culture, arts, nice boutiques and is very green.

For just 4 days, I'd go somewhere within a 2-3hr flight personally. How old is DD?
I went to Prague for the 30th, years ago and loved it. We walked everywhere, Wenceslas square, the famous clock etc. We were there in March and I recall an Easter market with decorated eggs and various Easter type stuff. We caught the local train to Sedlec ossuary. A little chapel where all the chandeliers and decorations are made from human bones! Sounds grim, but was actually fascinating. I don't recall any stumping/loud stag parties, but then we weren't walking around the pubs/clubs late at night.

Recently went to Budapest. Hot baths with mineralised water, the Danube, parliament building, Buda castle etc.

Portugual or Spain? Sicily?

Me and DH went to Liverpool for my 50th 20 years ago.
Us West Midlanders know how to party.
We had a brilliant time.
Wherever you decide to go, have a lovely time

San Sebastian Northern Spain with a day trip to Biarritz. Foodie scene (Pintxos) is amazing in the Old Town, Surfing and fab beach (I know it won't be swimming weather) for people watching etc. etc.

Pisa, Lucca, Florence. Or just Florence, but Lucca is gorgeous.

Venice and Padova.

Seville and Cadiz.

Budapest
Copenhagen
Stockholm
Krakow
Berlin

Depends what sort of temp you want