Oct city break help needed.where to

thegame

looking for a 4 day break away with my girlfriend looking at the 28th of oct till the 31st.looking for sightseeing,shopping and drinking..can anyone recommend any of these that have been there

Paris
Prague
Barcelona

cocoshovel

Having only been to Paris (briefly) I cant really recommend it. Ive heard amazing things about Prague. Heard its a lovely, cheap city, with nice drink and culture.

I haven't been to Prague, but out of Paris or Barcelona, go to Barcelona. In my opinion Barcelona it's a much nicer city. I thought that Paris was overhyped (apart from the Louvre, that is excellent). If you go to Barcelona definitely go to Güell Park and the Sagrada Família(obvious choices but well worth visiting.)
Also think about London, Maybe doesn't sound as romantic, but ticks all your boxes. Great shopping, nightlife and excellent sight-seeing.

rossie1977

if those are your 3 choices then barcelona is the nicest, but you can't go wrong with any of those 3, prague is by far the cheapest though but also the smallest

if you do visit barcelona i recommend you try and be there a weekend of a match in the camp nou, tickets will be available to buy here as soon as they go on sale, you can pick your desired seat in the ground too http://www.fcbarcelona.com/info-tickets/

TheBody

I've been to Paris and Prague but not Barcelona. Paris is expensive and dirty. Would not recommend.

Prague is fine for a weekend break. Cheap as chips. Good food and drink. However, be careful with your money. DO NOT use the bureau de changes as they are known to rip off tourists. Also the police are corrupt. They sometimes ask tourists for their passports and then demand money to get them back. If you keep your head down, you will be fine.

Can't comment on Barcelona.

jt_dublin

TheGame,

I have been to both Barcelona & Madrid a couple of times. Barcelona is nice but to me was very crowded & touristy. I much prefer Madrid. It has a much more relaxed vibe to it. And because it is a very lived in city, food & drink are excellent and not expensive in comparison to the more touristy cities.

Take a look at this thread.

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?p=75171845

I posted a few links in it for things to do. Plus if you are looking for a comfortable central hotel in quiet square, have a look at the place I usually stay. It is called the Intur Palacio San Martin.

ncmc

Can’t believe people are not recommending Paris! It’s my favourite of the cities I’ve been. It’s such a wonderful, romantic, beautiful city. There is so much to do, you could be there a week and not see half of it. Would also be the shortest flight of the places you have selected, it would be my choice of the three. I haven’t been to Barcelona, but have researched it a lot as we were due to go the time of the ash cloud and had to cancel. Prague is just ok, I wouldn’t be rushing back to it. I’d think it would be a good spot for a lads holiday, but for a couples holiday, I would go with Paris or Barcelona. Or what about Rome? A fantastic spot and not as expensive as you might think.

thegame

ncmc wrote: »

Can’t believe people are not recommending Paris! It’s my favourite of the cities I’ve been. It’s such a wonderful, romantic, beautiful city. There is so much to do, you could be there a week and not see half of it. Would also be the shortest flight of the places you have selected, it would be my choice of the three. I haven’t been to Barcelona, but have researched it a lot as we were due to go the time of the ash cloud and had to cancel. Prague is just ok, I wouldn’t be rushing back to it. I’d think it would be a good spot for a lads holiday, but for a couples holiday, I would go with Paris or Barcelona. Or what about Rome? A fantastic spot and not as expensive as you might think.

Thanks for the info mate.was in rome before..was going to stay on the latin quarter in paris.is it expensive to eat out and drink in paris

ncmc

Paris is one of those places that has reataurants for all budgets, the Latin Quarter especially has tons of really reasonable places to eat. However alcohol is pricey, wine is ok, but beer is expensive, we normally stick to wine!

mimihops

I think Paris is a perfect place for a city break, and in Autumn it would be lovely I imagine. I have been converted to Paris, I didn't have any interest in it at all before, and ended up visiting as it's a big starting point for European train travel - and I really liked it! Yes I agree it is dirty which is a real shame, but the main areas aren't too bad. The buildings are gorgeous, the cakes, food, wine etc is amazing, shopping is brilliant, history on every corner...just chilling out and people watching there is lots of fun. It's the kindof city as well that you can just wander and stroll and happen upon interesting places. I have been in Prague twice and it was one of my favourite cities ever, BUT that was many years ago and I reckon it's full of stags etc now so I wouldn't rate it for a city break for a couple any more. Can't comment on Barcelona as I have never been. The point the other poster makes is very important as well, Paris is super easy & quick to get to so you have more time there. If you go anyway off the main tourist areas the food is very reasonable as well.

Paris is my favourite place on the planet, it's full of sights to see, lots of lovely little bars and plenty of shopping. I love prague aswell and would definitely recommend it, it would be nice at that time of year also. I've only been to Barcelona briefly but I never heard a bad word said about the place!

Another one I'll throw into the mix is Amsterdam, beautiful city, loads to do, great night life, I didn't do any shopping there but certainly could have!

thegame

Anyone recommend a hotel in paris.have a max of 500 euro

ncmc

Have a look on www.booking.com put in your dates and scroll down the page, on the left hand side it will show you all the neighbourhoods, for Latin Quarter select Pantheon-Notre Dame there are quite a few in your price range there. Have a check on Trip Advisor before booking, one I see there in your price range is Acte V, seems to get good reviews on TA.

http://www.booking.com/hotel/fr/acte-v.en-gb.html?aid=341349;label=hotel-51476_Pool-1_Slice-1021;sid=6ca8dde7d9a02d4b72c816a2d2dbc157;dcid=1

http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Hotel_Review-g187147-d236511-Reviews-Hotel_Acte_V-Paris_Ile_de_France.html

I am pie

I would go to Istanbul, you get the weather, it's cheap, the night life is awesome and they are escaping the worst of the recession over there. Still got a bit of a buzz. Seriously, one of the best places i've been for a weekend. There is enough to do there for a week. The sites are really impressive, blue mosque etc, put that alongside a really modern, trendy city centre, great food and friendly locals.

Weather would be nice and warm in October still. Couldn't recommend it enough for something a bit beyond the usual european city break. The missus would have great shopping in the more modern area and good fun haggling in the bazaars.

thegame

i booked paris and booked this hotel
http://www.booking.com/hotel/fr/lejardindecluny.en-gb.html?sid=3019e072ab714201a2283531d91b9f93;dcid=1

might even go to disneyland paris for halloween

ncmc

That’s great thegame! I’m sure you and your girlfriend will love Paris. That hotel looks lovely and nicely priced for the location.

Something a bit different we did on our last visit was a Segway tour

http://citysegwaytours.com/paris

Lovely way to see the city and rests the legs for a while! The guides were really good. Would highly recommend. Bring a coat though, it gets chilly while you’re whizzing along!

Le_Dieux

I wonder can I offer my tuppence worth?

Having travelled all over, I would recommend either of Madrid or Prague - nothing wrong with Paris, London, Istanbul either. I just love Madrid. Having last been there in Communist days, I fell in love with Prague when we were there last year ( also a 4 day break ).

Someone mentioned above about the cops being corrupt? I never came across that. We never had any hassle while there. I do agree with the Bureau-de-changes though. If You do decide to go there there is one necessity I would recommend though - excellent walking shoes. Those cobbled streets ( and believe me, there are LOTS of them) are hard on the feet. October should be fine, before the snow sets in. Also October is low season ( I think) so perhaps cheaper prices!

Best of luck anyhow, and enjoy Your trip, wherever it may be to!

jesus_thats_gre

Was in Vienna last November and was very impressed. The Christmas markets in particular are very nice.