Hi everyone
Wife is approaching the big 5 0 (two years after I did) and I suggested we go away for a long weekend in Europe somewhere without the kids.
We haven't gone away much, Brussels and Spain to see her in-laws, so where would people suggest?
We are not people that like to sit in the sun around a pool, but would prefer if it was warm while we explore.
Gatwick is easy for us to get to - budget is £1000 - do most major European cities speak English as a 2nd launguage? We have always got by in Spain as her family speak it - we'd be lost on our own!
I was thinking Amsterdam but as neither of us takes drugs is it worth it, is there more to do there than that?
All comments and ideas and questions welcome :-)
Wife is approaching the big 5 0 (two years after I did) and I suggested we go away for a long weekend in Europe somewhere without the kids.
We haven't gone away much, Brussels and Spain to see her in-laws, so where would people suggest?
We are not people that like to sit in the sun around a pool, but would prefer if it was warm while we explore.
Gatwick is easy for us to get to - budget is £1000 - do most major European cities speak English as a 2nd launguage? We have always got by in Spain as her family speak it - we'd be lost on our own!
I was thinking Amsterdam but as neither of us takes drugs is it worth it, is there more to do there than that?
All comments and ideas and questions welcome :-)
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37 Comments
sorted byAlthough if you haven't been to Venice, you really should. (edited)
Just be careful of pickpockets and other scammers who operate in groups. Also not a good idea to carve your wife's name on any old building just because she is celebrating a big birthday. The Italians especially are not in a good mood at the moment.
If you want to stick to Spain, Valencia, Cordoba or Seville.
Also, when we were there, it was very friendly and prices were fair.
budapestinfo.hu/sights / budapestinfo.hu/the…que
Gdansk
Reykjavik
Amsterdam
Vienna
Krakow
Gent
Geneva
Zurich
In that order. Loved all of them, but taking into consideration safety, convenience, prices and things to do.
Be polite, and take a phrase book with you, and you will be astounded at the amount of people who speak English as a second language, it really does put us to shame, but always learn the native language for please and thank you.
My wife and I are similar ages to you, and have spent at least 4 days at each of the above. I didn't add Spain or Portugal to the list as I found in the summer months for them to be incredibly busy. I didn't add France because....they are French , never had a good experience there other than Bayeux or Dunkirk.
We haven't been to Rome as it was so expensive the last time we looked.
Prague and Budapest are next on the list for us.
Prague is on our short-list for the next trip, I am intrigued by Copenhagen so maybe we'll do that for my birthday!
Gregg Wallace has a travel series on Five that includes Venice and Amsterdam, will give that a look as maybe my recollection of the latter is muddied by alcohol during the stag do I went on!
I went there last month for a short day trip while I was stopping in Slovenia
I wouldn't worry about language in Europe: everywhere is set up to cater to English-speaking tourists. Just learn a few phrases to be polite such as "Hello", "Thanks", "Do you speak English?" and "Sorry, I don't speak (Italian, German etc)". At worst you can just point at stuff you want- after all, they want your money!
Athens?
I'd heard Venice was smelly around the end of Auguest!
Somewhere i'd really suggest is Copenhagen! lovely flat city, all speak English and plenty to do (go often for work so can give more details later if you wanted)
One thing they have there which is a must for her birthday would be Wallmans Dinnerparty, this is a 3 meal set menu with shows going on around you.
As for the Amsterdam comments - I don't think the tourist board would agree with you:
tripadvisor.co.uk/Att…tml
Not a time to be flying from Gatwick
bbc.co.uk/new…416
Amsterdam, Rome, Turin, Prague, Dublin and Belfast
I also like Vienna
Will hunt for best deals off my short-list and let you know what I choose.
Thank you for all your advice, really appreciate it :-)