Ideas for 40th birthday - stay in Ireland or go to sun?

Lisa78 · 03-01-2018 01:47PM #1

Hi, I'm trying to decide whether to go for a cheap break away in the sun or a fancier weekend somewhere in Ireland in May. It would be just me and my husband.
If we stay in Ireland, we don't have a car so thinking of Galway or Belfast so we could get the train from Dublin/Drogheda- are there any hotels in the city centres that are reasonable enough and people would recommend?
I know for the price, we could probably get a week away in the sun somewhere so just can't make a decision. We've been to the Algarve and to Malta and loved both.
I'm also thinking of a city break somewhere like Edinburgh or Prague but I just don't know.
We both like exploring and doing a lot of walking, we wouldn't really be big drinkers - just one or two, and I would like it to be something that bit special because it's my 40th!!

Someone help me make a plan

otnomart · 03-01-2018 07:44PM

How about Nice ?
Was there this Sept and it is a lovely city

Lisa78 · 03-01-2018 09:26PM

otnomart wrote: »

How about Nice ?
Was there this Sept and it is a lovely city

To be honest Nice would never have crossed my mind. I'll have to look into it.

wijam · 03-01-2018 09:29PM

A few options going on previous holidays

Budapest, very cheap, lots to explore
Madrid, beautiful city and easy to get around
Munich, lots to see and take in

amtc · 04-01-2018 10:21AM

I was in Nice and also Galway, Cork, Limerick, sligo and Waterford last year (my friend travels for work and I also double as her pretend pa on occasion!) Galway was massively expensive. Limerick was probably the best. Our birthdays are a day apart so we ended up going to the Castleknock Hotel which is a bit mad as I could practically see my house but got rid of all the transport hassle.

Nice was good, lots to see. Took the train to Monaco which would be nice for a special meal.

Lisbon is lovely. And cheap. Budapest good.

One thing I did recently was to go to London as a tourist...i go lots for work...but i went with my mam and it was brilliant

Lisa78 · 04-01-2018 10:36AM

wijam wrote: »

A few options going on previous holidays

Budapest, very cheap, lots to explore
Madrid, beautiful city and easy to get around
Munich, lots to see and take in

Budapest is actually one place that I've always thought would be lovely to visit - I just have a real romantic vision of it

Lisa78 · 04-01-2018 10:42AM

amtc wrote: »

I was in Nice and also Galway, Cork, Limerick, sligo and Waterford last year (my friend travels for work and I also double as her pretend pa on occasion!) Galway was massively expensive. Limerick was probably the best. Our birthdays are a day apart so we ended up going to the Castleknock Hotel which is a bit mad as I could practically see my house but got rid of all the transport hassle.

Nice was good, lots to see. Took the train to Monaco which would be nice for a special meal.

Lisbon is lovely. And cheap. Budapest good.

One thing I did recently was to go to London as a tourist...i go lots for work...but i went with my mam and it was brilliant

Thanks for all that.
I was actually in Limerick for a family event in 2016, and for a hen's a few months ago, and really really liked it, but just wanted to go somewhere different (but might think about going back

)
I have added Nice and Budapest to the possibilities, and I would like to see Lisbon too.
I went to London a couple of times and would love to go back but the prices have put me off - might have to look into it a bit more because I know we would both enjoy it.

amtc · 04-01-2018 10:45AM

Was in Budapest for work and brought my boyfriend at the time. We enjoyed it and the funicular is spectacular.

It can be a bit seedy though...stayed in the Hilton and the lobby was full of American men poring over catalogues for young women with agents who organise dates.

I also...and this was my fault...found myself in a strip club. I didn't know what a blue light meant over a door. The boyfriend couldn't take it but I felt impolite to leave.

Oink · 04-01-2018 10:46AM

I love Ireland. There are amazing options for the weekend. But with the weather being what it is at the moment, if you don’t have a car... just go somewhere in the sun, if you can.

amtc · 04-01-2018 10:52AM

Lisbon is lovely, apart from a bizarre amount of duvet selling shops. I don't particularly like fish so wasn't great.

Iceland was brilliant but expensive. Again it was work.

My friend swears by Seville.

Brussels is good as well. I used to go a lot for work (furthest I get to now is m50) and last time had a fabulous meal up the atonium. It was built for the Great Exhibition and has a revolving restaurant at the top. Brussels for some mad reason is extremely cheap for hairdressers. I have no idea why. Just don't do my trick and complain that the airport escalators weren't working for six years...they only start when you stand on them. Duh!

beertons · 04-01-2018 10:53AM

Porto? You can get air bnb in a room in a castle. I'll get you the link for it if you want. The missus went there with her friends before, and loved it.

honeybear · 04-01-2018 10:56AM

Was in Lisbon last year-loved it

Lisa78 · 04-01-2018 05:29PM

beertons wrote: »

Porto? You can get air bnb in a room in a castle. I'll get you the link for it if you want. The missus went there with her friends before, and loved it.

That sounds great - yes please on the link

Lisa78 · 05-01-2018 02:07PM

Thanks everyone for the suggestions!

ItsATrap · 05-01-2018 02:19PM

Would you consider Pisa? Beautiful city and plenty of transport links to Rome, Venice, Florence etc. Prices are very reasonable too.

Myself and the husband love city breaks (Madrid, Rome, Paris etc.), and we've only ever had one dud - Brussels. Never again!!

Barcelona/Madrid are also other good options. Personally, I think abroad before I ever think of Ireland for a break (sounds terrible, I know!)

otnomart · 05-01-2018 08:18PM

Gosh I was in Pisa this Oct, and although it has amazing monuments (on top of those in Piazza dei Miracoli) and churches, very sadly I felt it was ran down, so would not recommend it for a special birthday or anniversary.

anne burnell · 05-01-2018 10:01PM

would highly recomend edinburgh, fantastic city and easyto get around as you can walk everywhere and dont need to use public transport, and the city centre is on about 20min from the airport, also only about a 45 min flight. There is plenty to do and see there .

amtc · 06-01-2018 01:11AM

Actually what about a short cruise?

Lisa78 · 06-01-2018 10:10PM

amtc wrote: »

Actually what about a short cruise?

I love the idea of a cruise but have always thought it would be too expensive

amtc · 07-01-2018 12:28AM

They're not that expensive. I went on one for my 30th with my aunt who was 50 my mam who was 60 and my grandmother who was 80. It was from singapore to perth (my relatives live there). I can honestly say it was the best laugh ever. Particularly as it was chinese new year and we were the only non chinese people.

My other aunt flew to cork last year and did two cruises...barcelona/venice and oslo/Copenhagen

coleen · 08-01-2018 10:29PM

We had a great city break in Malaga.
It has lots to see and do lovely bars and restaurants .
There is lots of flights from Ireland so plenty of options. It is easy to get from airport by train or bus and the weather is usually nice. It also has a beach within walking distance of city centre

Caranica · 08-01-2018 10:43PM

I went to Madrid for my 40th this time last year. Perfect!

Walkable, very reasonable food and drink, lots to see and do and an amazing 80s bar

Ideas for 40th birthday - stay in Ireland or go to sun?

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