New Year's (2 nights) on the Continent

Jimbob1977

Hi,

I'd like to spend New Year's (30th December to 1st January) on the Continent.

I've been reviewing the airlines and schedules for some options. At the moment, I have a shortlist of:

Porto
Bordeaux
Bruges
Santander
Bilbao

Does anyone have experiences of these cities, either good or bad? And which would be best?

We are not young party animals anymore. Just 40-somethings.

Fitz*

Bruges is really easy to get to and a lovely quaint city. It's small enough so it's easily walkable around too, or cycle, as it's so flat. They love their food & drink there too if that's what you're into. Was there for 3 days and was able to fit everything in then too. I'm still late 20s but I wouldn't have called it a party animal place. More 'nice' bars than discobars I thought.

CelticRambler

My choice/recommendation isn't on the list, but here it is anyway: Vienna - plenty of historic and modern city to wander around on foot, beautifully decorated at that time of year, great family-friendly atmosphere in the lead-up to NYE, an outside chance of getting standing room tickets for a few euro for Die Fledermaus at the Staatsoper (but well worth it); still time to get tickets for the NYE Ball at the Hofburg Palace if want something to really dress up for!

I think Bruges is a very pretty place, but probably better for/during the Christmas Market than at NY.

Bordeaux: meh ... the French don't really do NY. They treat it as a bank holiday like every other. You'll see Christmas stuff in the shops on the 31st still being sold for full price because "Christmas" here continues until the 6th January ... or February, depending on when people get around to eating their galette des Rois and taking down their decorations.

Have no experience of the Iberian peninsula at that time of year so can't comment in respect of the other cities.

votecounts

Been to Bruges myself for a weekend and would highly recommend, nice hotels, easy to get around and more importantly some very nice beers:D