City Break over New Years?

Donie75

Hi,
A few years ago my wife & I went to Barcelona on the 28th of December for 4 nights. We had a great time and the weather was lovely. We're looking at doing the same this year so looking for a few suggestions for destinations with nice hotels.
A few ideas we had were...
Amsterdam
Paris
Lisbon
Madrid

We'd like somewhere that isn't shut down for Christmas with good stuff to do during the day.

Any recommendation welcome...

Thanks

Jamie2k9

Donie75 wrote: »

Hi,
A few years ago my wife & I went to Barcelona on the 28th of December for 4 nights. We had a great time and the weather was lovely. We're looking at doing the same this year so looking for a few suggestions for destinations with nice hotels.
A few ideas we had were...
Amsterdam
Paris
Lisbon
Madrid

We'd like somewhere that isn't shut down for Christmas with good stuff to do during the day.

Any recommendation welcome...

Thanks

Its only Ireland that shuts down over Christmas, business more less as usual everywhere else.

Lisbon is a great city, Madrid is fine, Paris will be very expensive while Amsterdam is great to.

Sheldons Brain

People in Madrid eat grapes at midnight on the New Year in Sol. It is relatively cold there though at that time of year, not so different from Ireland.

But really the big New Year is in Central Europe.

Donie75

Amsterdam is looking interesting. The Christmas markets and light festival runs into the new year. Anyone been to Amsterdam this time of year?

Jamie2k9

Donie75 wrote: »

Amsterdam is looking interesting. The Christmas markets and light festival runs into the new year. Anyone been to Amsterdam this time of year?

Not being Amsterdam this time of year but would say it will be good and lively on NYears. Have being places like Cologne, Berlin and Copenhagen have very good Christmas markets. Budapest is another. They are all great around Christmas but Berlin won't be cheap.

athtrasna

Paris will be freeeeeeeeeeeeeeezing at that time of year. Have you considered Edinburgh? One of the best New Year breaks ever. The fireworks alone are worth it on NYE!

Ms.Sunshine

How about Berlin??

LXFlyer

Copenhagen, Zurich and Prague are all good for New Years.

Zurich has a massive organised fireworks display.

Donie75

It looks like the Mrs wants to go to London for 3 or 4 nights. I reckon it will be expensive for hotels. Can anyone recommend a nice good quality hotel in London?
Thanks.

solerina

We stayed at the St Giles which is just off the end of Oxford street, its not to far to the shops which she will love and its a short walk over to Covent Garden, Leicester Square too...its a nice mid range hotel.

athtrasna

Donie75 wrote: »

It looks like the Mrs wants to go to London for 3 or 4 nights. I reckon it will be expensive for hotels. Can anyone recommend a nice good quality hotel in London?
Thanks.

Have a look on booking.com - looks like you'd need a mortgage for a half decent hotel at new years!

5p9arw38djv2b4

Take a look on Airbnb - you could find a great apartment? Will be way better priced than hotel

ScottSF

Last year rented we rented an apartment in Vienna on AirBnB from a young couple that were leaving town to visit family for Christmas and New Years. Vienna hosts a large celebration for the 31st with multiple areas of entertainment and music. Of course the weather may not be what you are looking for. Christmas markets are around serving gluhwein (hot mulled wine) to keep you warm. Instead of sitting in a pub you can sit in a cafe drinking coffee and eating pastries.

Another exciting option from a few years ago was Nice, France. The sunny weather was glorious and you can take easy day trips to Cannes and Monte Carlo and possibly Provence. The New Years eve itself is low key with many people heading to the beaches to celebrate. For a splurge you can get a luxury apartment rental from this highly recommended company:
http://www.nicepebbles.com/

Lisbon I found to be very very quiet at the end of December, but it is an excellent value and one of my favourite cities to visit.