Best Short City Break??

*Lees*

I need some advice!! My boyfriend's birthday is coming up soon... I was thinking of taking him away for a weekend some place nice! It would be the weekend 25th November!.. Has anyone got any recommendations?
I was thinking along the lines of Prague or Budapest. We would be into shopping and stuff more than site seeing! I would be grateful of any sugestions!!!!

Sheera

Haven't been to Budapest but Prague is well worth a visit. There are sights to see but its not too heavy going in that regard - its not like other cities where there a certain things that you just HAVE to see. Its just a very pretty place to walk around, beautiful architecture, cute little restaurants and cafes, loadsa shops and markets. Even if you're not really into sight seeing definitely don't miss out on the Charles Bridge, Old Town Square & Prague Castle. Also the Jewish Quarter is really interesting. Enjoy

CathyMoran

Another great place for a short city break is Paris, have been there in mid-November several times and it is a really beautiful place to visit, very romantic too They normally have the pre-Christmas sales on but they also have the Christmas displays, the food is amazing and you also get the chance to sightsee if you want a break from the shopping.

BossArky

Berlin. Was there last month for a weekend, nice place and many things to do and see. i.e. the remains of the Berlin wall... the Tiergarten for walks... take a taxi bike around the city.. Unter der Linden ... Strasse 17 Juni...

I was more impressed than I thought I would be.

soph

hiii,,, Amsterdam is the way to go, it is sucha beautiful city !! soo relaxed in more than ways then one ;o)
the architecture is amazing, not to mention the shopping is fantastic.
go on boating trips down the through the city, it is gorgeous, dying to go back again! no hills, eveyone is on bikes,, great transport systems too! i stayed in a 5* hotel about 5mins outside city and was sooo cheap. and aer lingus do really cheap flights too!

pickarooney

Budapest is beautiful, and reasonably cheap. Berlin also rocks, but is one of those towns you need to visit with a local to fully appreciate, IMO.

*Lees*

Thank you so much guys for all yer tips!! I definatly have a better idea of where to go!... Haven't booked anything yet!!!

BossArky

Actually, Nice isn't a bad place to go either.Was down there this Feb for a long weekend. Went to Monaco for a day from Nice, its only 25 mins away on a train. Cannes is 25 minutes to the west.

Only problem was that I was there for the first weekend in a decade where they actually had snow ... standing there shivering on the beach in Monaco with toes frozen!

Mairin

I would recommend Amsterdam or Paris. Prague and Budapest are wonderful as well, but it's been a few years since I've been.

Amsterdam is an amazing place. I've visited about 3 times. The best thing about it is it offers whatever you're looking for. Only today I spoke to a colleague who was afraid it would be full of stoners looking for legal pot, but really you get out of Amsterdam what you're looking for.

It's full of art, museums, good restaurants and bars. Cafe's if that's what your into, but that side is completely avoidable if you're not. Hookers if you're into that but then again there's no need to see them if you don't want to. There is a wonderful part of the city full of Second Hand Vintage shops. and of course there's loads of history in it too.

I adore it as a city.

Paris, for us, lived up to everything it promised to be. We spent 10 days there but a long weekend would be wonderful too. In fact I would definitely go back.

Zebra3

You could do worse than go to Vienna for a few days.

You can also make a day trip to Bratislava from there fairly easily.

440Hz

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?p=3549162#post3549162 for Budapest

I liked Prague, but it is very touristy these days. I gotta say I was a huge fan of Krakow which was my last trip away. Off to Brussels tomorrow which is a regular haunt for me, but not much to see there tbh. A lot of nice places near Brussels such as Ghent, Bruge, Louvain etc. Paris is always a good bet. Havent been to Berlin yet but I hear it is fantastic.
Vienna always has great reports too.

tj-music.com

Don't know about November but I am going to Lisbon in February 2006 and pay 200 Euro only for a double room incl. breakfast for a whole week. 100 Euro p/Person for a week is pretty unbeatable. Now I hear that Portugal is a nice place and absolutely worth a visit.

I booked tickets for Depeche Mode for approx. 50 Euro converted from pounds. The ticket for Depeche in Portugal is only Euro 36,-. Entertainment seems to be cheaper and well food just has to be when you are coming from an expensive place like Ireland.

Lauragoesmad

I know its very close to home but liverpool is a great city for a a short break. There's loads to do and the people are up for a laugh. You can go on the magical mystery tour, go on a tour of anfield, visit the cavern where the beatles played and there are loads of pubs and clubs and the booze is dirt cheap. And so is everything else, taxi's, food, clothes and the albert docks are well worth a visit as the Tate gallery and the Beatles museum are there. just visited in september and had a ball.

besty

I've heard great reports of Barcelona. I'm looking into booking a trip away there myself!

arac

went to Rome at the end of the summer and it was beautiful, its heavy on the sightseeing but everything is so beautiful its hard not to want to go around and view it all.. The Pantheon for us was the most awe inspiring structure I have ever seen.. and the square in front of it "Piazza della rotunda" has loads of cafés and restaurants, full of ambience and atmosphere, perfect for your pizza and bottle of wine..it was v hot in August when we went there, so Id say around now would be just right

TempestSabre

Barcelona is great. Short flight, warm, and easy to get around. Trains are great.