Long Weekend in January

tomcollins97

Hi,

Me and the OH (both 30) are looking to go on a 3-4 day long weekend in January. We can't decide where and are looking for suggestions.

Budget - I don't want to spend a fortune so Europe it is, but unfortunately I think Paris would be too pricey.

Style - culture with a good bar/traditional pub scene

Weather - preferably dry and bright, not rain and snow!

To help, a bit about our limited travels so far to give an idea of what we have liked/disliked:

Prague in October - both loved it. The weather was dry but cold with bright blue skys. We stayed in the old town and really enjoyed the traditional Czech bars. Neither of us are into night clubs so have a large choice of good pubs was great - we even found a dartboard! The city itself was lovely and compact with some quirky tourist attractions.

Budapest in May - this was OK. Weather fab, not too hot. The city is beautiful, but very large. Not so much a bar culture, more cafes. We both found the level of poverty and homelessness disturbing. Bad experience on public transport. It doesn't feel like a safe city.

New York - new year. Never again - been there, done that, too much shopping and not enough culture

San Fransisco - I would go back tomorrow if I had the money

London - many times. Enjoy very much but am looking for somewhere different

Paris - in October. Very very wet but still loved every bit of it. It being a beautiful city more than makes up for the expense. Unfortunatley, don't have the money to return in January

Algarve - we have been many many times and love it! We tend to stay in more traditional villages and enjoy the slow pace of life

Costa del Sol - have been a few time. HATE HATE HATE it. Never again

Lanzarote - mixed feeling to be honest. I would go back but not for a while

olaola

Well in Jan, your options are along the Med really if you don't want snow. Somewhere in Italy? Rome? South of France - Nice and all along the Cote D'Azur. Spain - Barcelona?

ncmc

I think if you loved Paris then you would adore Rome. According to www.wunderground.com the January average is about 10 degrees, so not warm by any means but not freezing cold either. Barcelona averages about the same temperature. Rome is normally pretty expensive for accomodation but after Christmas is considered off season so there may be bargains to be had. I have heard good things about this place http://www.bluehostel.it/The_Bluehostel_Rome_-The_hostel_with_hostel_style_rooms-.html (haven't stayed there myself but read about it in a couple of travel articles and it gets good reviews on Trip Advisor) It is a hostel but with private bathrooms and hotel style rooms. We were in Rome a couple of years ago and were suprised by how cheap food and drink were. We ate really well for on average €50 for the two of us (staters, main and wine).

Rome is just amazing, especially if you love culture and history. Rome and Paris would always be top of my wish list!

jonnybravo

Went to Dubrovnik a few years ago and loved it there. Georgeous old city with plenty to do for a few days. Weather would probably be nice enough that time of the year as its on the Med. Would be cheaper option that Italy or Spain.

Have been to Barcelona as well and its a cool city to go to too but I preferred Dubrovnik.

totallytrees

How about Lisbon? Apparently its the cheapest city in Europe to visit. I'm heading there in January with some friends for a 3 day city break, loads of culture to be had, plus temperatures are 14-15 degrees average in January.

We have booked a 2 bed apartment in the city centre for €210 for 3 nights. Thats €52.50 per person for 3 nights accommodation, don't think there's many other cities that would do the same low prices! If thats anything to go by, food and drink will be very cheap

Flights with aerlingus were €135 return incl tax a month ago.

Zebra3

Yep, Lisbon rules.

Great place and cheap enough.

egan2020

totallytrees wrote: »

We have booked a 2 bed apartment in the city centre for €210 for 3 nights. Thats €52.50 per person for 3 nights accommodation, don't think there's many other cities that would do the same low prices! If thats anything to go by, food and drink will be very cheap

Flights with aerlingus were €135 return incl tax a month ago.

Where did you book your accommodation?

totallytrees

Booked on this website: Holiday Lettings

Apartment in particular is: 2 Bed Apartment, Rua dos Correeiros

AngryLips

+1 for Lisbon. It's the place to be. If you're looking for hip and cheap I'd recommend this place: http://www.lisbonloungehostel.com/ You can book your own room for €35 per night and it's a great way to meet other people.

youcancallmeal

ncmc wrote: »

I think if you loved Paris then you would adore Rome. According to www.wunderground.com the January average is about 10 degrees, so not warm by any means but not freezing cold either. Barcelona averages about the same temperature. Rome is normally pretty expensive for accomodation but after Christmas is considered off season so there may be bargains to be had. I have heard good things about this place http://www.bluehostel.it/The_Bluehostel_Rome_-The_hostel_with_hostel_style_rooms-.html (haven't stayed there myself but read about it in a couple of travel articles and it gets good reviews on Trip Advisor) It is a hostel but with private bathrooms and hotel style rooms. We were in Rome a couple of years ago and were suprised by how cheap food and drink were. We ate really well for on average €50 for the two of us (staters, main and wine).

Rome is just amazing, especially if you love culture and history. Rome and Paris would always be top of my wish list!

I emailed that blue hostel place and they quoted €100 per double room per night for a weekend in January. Is that a good price for Rome?

ncmc

youcancallme>al wrote: »

I emailed that blue hostel place and they quoted €100 per double room per night for a weekend in January. Is that a good price for Rome?

What are your dates? I put in the 7th-9th of January on these two sites, and they are both quoting €60 per night for double private ensuite room.

http://www.hostelworld.com/hosteldetails.php/Blue-Hostel/Rome/2515?source=googleadwordshostelsbyname&gclid=CKzEv-ajpaUCFYpO4QodUgc3jg

http://www.hostels.com/hosteldetails.php/HostelNumber.2515?source=hostelscomhostelnames4&gclid=CJ7V6eejpaUCFchH4wodG1yk2w

youcancallmeal

ncmc wrote: »

What are your dates? I put in the 7th-9th of January on these two sites, and they are both quoting €60 per night for double private ensuite room.

http://www.hostelworld.com/hosteldetails.php/Blue-Hostel/Rome/2515?source=googleadwordshostelsbyname&gclid=CKzEv-ajpaUCFYpO4QodUgc3jg

http://www.hostels.com/hosteldetails.php/HostelNumber.2515?source=hostelscomhostelnames4&gclid=CJ7V6eejpaUCFchH4wodG1yk2w

Its actually €60 per person so a double room for two would work out at €120 a night. Seems its cheaper to just email the hostel directly then.

ncmc

youcancallme>al wrote: »

Its actually €60 per person so a double room for two would work out at €120 a night. Seems its cheaper to just email the hostel directly then.

Grrr, I hate when places price like that! I think you could probably do better in January, it wouldn't be a peak time of year. What are your exact dates?

youcancallmeal

It might even be February, dunno yet. Definitely won't be the weekend of the 6 nations game anyway!

confusedalways

Edinburgh/Glasgow

You probably wont get rain and snow, just ice!

monalitto

youcancallme>al wrote: »

I emailed that blue hostel place and they quoted €100 per double room per night for a weekend in January. Is that a good price for Rome?

Hi I emailed the Blue hostal directly, they quoted me 90euro per night for double room, end of January- i emailed back asking if they had cheaper & they said 80 per night total (2 of us). Dont know if we'll go yet, would love to hear from someone thats stayed there, looks nice!