Need help booking first holiday
Discussion
Hopefully ph can help.
Looking to surprise the o/h next year for her birthday with a short 3 day city break. Ive never planned my own holiday, its always been mates who have done it or family and it’s a bit confusing.
Looking for somewhere like Prague, Barcelona, Madrid you know the usual European hotspots for city breaks. Doesn’t really matter as long as you can get to it from Scotland.
I just want a hotel room for kip, but ideally somewhere that’s within walking distance of the city centre. Where all the shops and beer gardens are.
What’s the best site to book one of these I was looking to spend round £300 mark (for the two of us :s ) for flights and hotel can this even be done heard loads of people talk about managing this but I haven’t got a clue how they do it.
Looking to go from 21st feb for 3 nights.
Looking to surprise the o/h next year for her birthday with a short 3 day city break. Ive never planned my own holiday, its always been mates who have done it or family and it’s a bit confusing.
Looking for somewhere like Prague, Barcelona, Madrid you know the usual European hotspots for city breaks. Doesn’t really matter as long as you can get to it from Scotland.
I just want a hotel room for kip, but ideally somewhere that’s within walking distance of the city centre. Where all the shops and beer gardens are.
What’s the best site to book one of these I was looking to spend round £300 mark (for the two of us :s ) for flights and hotel can this even be done heard loads of people talk about managing this but I haven’t got a clue how they do it.
Looking to go from 21st feb for 3 nights.
I've got Barcelona in a couple weeks from 3 nights and 4 days.
Return flights X2: 120 (Easyjet)
Nice hotel: 180 (60 a night- laterooms)
Airport parking: 30
Booked Mid October, I find the flight deal usually dictates where I go then work from there.
Or I've used 'directline city breaks' before- 3 nights in Dublin £159 each all in. Dublin was very expensive though.
Return flights X2: 120 (Easyjet)
Nice hotel: 180 (60 a night- laterooms)
Airport parking: 30
Booked Mid October, I find the flight deal usually dictates where I go then work from there.
Or I've used 'directline city breaks' before- 3 nights in Dublin £159 each all in. Dublin was very expensive though.
Air Linus currently have very good / cheap flights to Dublin so long as you book at least 2 weeks or so in advance. You can get two people there and back for £70 including all the taxes etc.
That will leave you with £230 for the hotels an when I was looking recently you can definitely get some 4* places for that.
For me Bruges is cheap to get to as I just drive and hop on the ferry. But if money didn't allow it, Dublin would always be my second choice (not that it is proper Europe if you know what I mean)
I would personally avoid France & Italy.
Might get cheap trip over to Dubrovnik on lastminute.com, but I haven't looked on there for a while.
That will leave you with £230 for the hotels an when I was looking recently you can definitely get some 4* places for that.
For me Bruges is cheap to get to as I just drive and hop on the ferry. But if money didn't allow it, Dublin would always be my second choice (not that it is proper Europe if you know what I mean)
I would personally avoid France & Italy.
Might get cheap trip over to Dubrovnik on lastminute.com, but I haven't looked on there for a while.
This 4* hotel is right in the centre of Bruges and for the dates you want would only cost £223 in total
http://www.laterooms.com/en/hotel-reservations/915...
Last time we went we stayed here: http://www.laterooms.com/en/hotel-reservations/835...
It was perfect for what we needed and the location was great. This would cost you just £190
http://www.laterooms.com/en/hotel-reservations/915...
Last time we went we stayed here: http://www.laterooms.com/en/hotel-reservations/835...
It was perfect for what we needed and the location was great. This would cost you just £190
Never going back to Ireland ever again!
Found it to be the s
t hole of the world the last time I stayed there full of people who apparently a very merry and big drinkers, my hoop.
They all get gassed in the house, come out blitzed then act like aholes and this is coming from a scot!
I spent a few nights in Shannon, Ireland with my mates. Euro 2008 had just started, naturally we hit the pubs at lunch so we could watch the games, we found no one in the pubs no matter what one we went to!
It was only come 10 o’clock you couldn’t move for pished Irish.
My living memory of Ireland will be going into a club that had a blocked urinal it started to over flow, so people just walked up to where the pish had came short and started pishing at the water mark, by the end of the night it was almost out the toilet door. I remember a fight starting cause a guy couldn’t be arsed waiting and started pishing where he stood.
Every time someone spoke to me it was followed by “away to feck you jock” or “are you james bond he was Scottish”. After 12 hours drinking I actually felt as sober as a judge in their company.
I realise that this is only one part of the country but no never again!
I think Id quite like Belgium, don’t know what the o/h would say if I told her we are going to Belgium mind you. Whats the recommend place like. To further elaborate on what im after.
Just a basic hotel kinda Travelodge standard. Really close to the town, so she can go shopping, I can sit down have a pint every few hours. Would be nice if there was a few things to go and see like interesting buildings within walking distance too. That’s why I liked prague loads of shops for the mrs, loads of beer gardens and a few buildings to look at. Not really interested in fine dining, we are both happiest and in our comfort zone with a bar lunch.
Found it to be the s
t hole of the world the last time I stayed there full of people who apparently a very merry and big drinkers, my hoop.They all get gassed in the house, come out blitzed then act like a
holes and this is coming from a scot! I spent a few nights in Shannon, Ireland with my mates. Euro 2008 had just started, naturally we hit the pubs at lunch so we could watch the games, we found no one in the pubs no matter what one we went to!
It was only come 10 o’clock you couldn’t move for pished Irish.
My living memory of Ireland will be going into a club that had a blocked urinal it started to over flow, so people just walked up to where the pish had came short and started pishing at the water mark, by the end of the night it was almost out the toilet door. I remember a fight starting cause a guy couldn’t be arsed waiting and started pishing where he stood.
Every time someone spoke to me it was followed by “away to feck you jock
” or “are you james bond he was Scottish”. After 12 hours drinking I actually felt as sober as a judge in their company.I realise that this is only one part of the country but no never again!
I think Id quite like Belgium, don’t know what the o/h would say if I told her we are going to Belgium mind you. Whats the recommend place like. To further elaborate on what im after.
Just a basic hotel kinda Travelodge standard. Really close to the town, so she can go shopping, I can sit down have a pint every few hours. Would be nice if there was a few things to go and see like interesting buildings within walking distance too. That’s why I liked prague loads of shops for the mrs, loads of beer gardens and a few buildings to look at. Not really interested in fine dining, we are both happiest and in our comfort zone with a bar lunch.
Edited by moanthebairns on Thursday 8th December 08:59
I have no experience of the rest of Ireland. When I went I stayed right on grafton street which was lovely.
Wouldn't bother with Temple Bar though which is where most people go for drinking.
Never been to Amsterdam.
I think your O/H would like Belgium a lot. I am female and my BF took me to Bruges and it was one of the most romantic places I have ever been to. It's also nice and small so you can walk easily to everything. A must do is to walk up to the top of the Belfort to see the views and take a walk around the canals. Food is great. People are great. I even enjoyed the chip museum and the light bulb museum! Most people tend to go to the chocolate museum and that was ok too.
I also wend back to Belgium and stayed in Ghent. This is very similar to bruges but a bit cheaper and still lots to do. The medieval architecture is amazing and both places felt very unspoilt.
Wouldn't bother with Temple Bar though which is where most people go for drinking.
Never been to Amsterdam.
I think your O/H would like Belgium a lot. I am female and my BF took me to Bruges and it was one of the most romantic places I have ever been to. It's also nice and small so you can walk easily to everything. A must do is to walk up to the top of the Belfort to see the views and take a walk around the canals. Food is great. People are great. I even enjoyed the chip museum and the light bulb museum! Most people tend to go to the chocolate museum and that was ok too.
I also wend back to Belgium and stayed in Ghent. This is very similar to bruges but a bit cheaper and still lots to do. The medieval architecture is amazing and both places felt very unspoilt.
Forgot to mention: the shops are great. Lots of places to get wonderful clothes, handbags, shoes and accessories.
Lots of places to drink. The beer is famous and you probably won't get through trying them all.
The place we stayed was a basic style apartment. It had s comfy bed. Lovely shower room, a sofa and small kitchen with big fridge to keep stocked of drink when your not out and about. And means you can have breakfast before getting up and out if you prefer.
As cheap as a travelogue but much nicer. It's in a loveley old building and the owners are very helpful. just a short walk from town.
I would definitly go back and I usually prefer the more luxury side of things, so that's saying something!
Lots of places to drink. The beer is famous and you probably won't get through trying them all.
The place we stayed was a basic style apartment. It had s comfy bed. Lovely shower room, a sofa and small kitchen with big fridge to keep stocked of drink when your not out and about. And means you can have breakfast before getting up and out if you prefer.
As cheap as a travelogue but much nicer. It's in a loveley old building and the owners are very helpful. just a short walk from town.
I would definitly go back and I usually prefer the more luxury side of things, so that's saying something!
Ilikebeaver said:
I have no experience of the rest of Ireland. When I went I stayed right on grafton street which was lovely.
Wouldn't bother with Temple Bar though which is where most people go for drinking.
Never been to Amsterdam.
I think your O/H would like Belgium a lot. I am female and my BF took me to Bruges and it was one of the most romantic places I have ever been to. It's also nice and small so you can walk easily to everything. A must do is to walk up to the top of the Belfort to see the views and take a walk around the canals. Food is great. People are great. I even enjoyed the chip museum and the light bulb museum! Most people tend to go to the chocolate museum and that was ok too.
I also wend back to Belgium and stayed in Ghent. This is very similar to bruges but a bit cheaper and still lots to do. The medieval architecture is amazing and both places felt very unspoilt.
what airport did you fly intoWouldn't bother with Temple Bar though which is where most people go for drinking.
Never been to Amsterdam.
I think your O/H would like Belgium a lot. I am female and my BF took me to Bruges and it was one of the most romantic places I have ever been to. It's also nice and small so you can walk easily to everything. A must do is to walk up to the top of the Belfort to see the views and take a walk around the canals. Food is great. People are great. I even enjoyed the chip museum and the light bulb museum! Most people tend to go to the chocolate museum and that was ok too.
I also wend back to Belgium and stayed in Ghent. This is very similar to bruges but a bit cheaper and still lots to do. The medieval architecture is amazing and both places felt very unspoilt.
For a trip with the girlfriend you can't beat Barcelona IMO. Just so much to see and some genuine WOW sites. Why not rent an apartment? Loads of choice and they aren't expensive either. I would aim for the Gothic area just off the Ramblas. Don't stay too close as it gets very busy and there's lots of pickpockets.
Is it worth looking to see if you can get any train deals to Bruges? Eurostar to Brussels and then change to get to Bruge. It's often advertised as a Eurostar destination. Not sure whether the extra journey from Scotland would make it expensive though.
Edited by oblio on Friday 9th December 15:55
I've generally found it cheaper to book flights and hotels separately.
Choose the dates thats suit you best, then search the net for the cheapest flights, the use something like lastminute/expedia for the hotels. Going by your profile name you would be handy enough for Edinburgh, Glasgow and Prestwick airports.
I've been to Amsterdam with the Mrs twice, thought it was a great city with lots to do, not just window shopping or special cafes. Its been a few years since my last visit and heard it's very expensive now, especially for booze, although the flights from Glasgow are very quick, lucky if your in the air for an hour.
As previously mentioned Barcalona is very nice, was there for a footie match, but still managed to absorb some of the culture. It didn't really blow my socks off though.
Think my favourite city break though was Rome, we struck it lucky with the weather, absolutely roasting. The city was stunning with amazing buildings and tours, lovely food and awesome looking women. We even managed to squeeze a day in at the beach.
I've also been on a city break to Wrocław, wouldn't recommend it for couples, but great for stag parties
Choose the dates thats suit you best, then search the net for the cheapest flights, the use something like lastminute/expedia for the hotels. Going by your profile name you would be handy enough for Edinburgh, Glasgow and Prestwick airports.
I've been to Amsterdam with the Mrs twice, thought it was a great city with lots to do, not just window shopping or special cafes. Its been a few years since my last visit and heard it's very expensive now, especially for booze, although the flights from Glasgow are very quick, lucky if your in the air for an hour.
As previously mentioned Barcalona is very nice, was there for a footie match, but still managed to absorb some of the culture. It didn't really blow my socks off though.
Think my favourite city break though was Rome, we struck it lucky with the weather, absolutely roasting. The city was stunning with amazing buildings and tours, lovely food and awesome looking women. We even managed to squeeze a day in at the beach.
I've also been on a city break to Wrocław, wouldn't recommend it for couples, but great for stag parties
Edited by Terzo123 on Friday 9th December 18:08
GreatGranny said:
For a trip with the girlfriend you can't beat Barcelona IMO. Just so much to see and some genuine WOW sites. Why not rent an apartment? Loads of choice and they aren't expensive either. I would aim for the Gothic area just off the Ramblas. Don't stay too close as it gets very busy and there's lots of pickpockets.
And prostitutes. Lots and lots of those. I've been a few weekend jaunts (Berlin, Amsterdam, etc) with the OH and - cliche alert! - by far the best is Paris.
It's not very PH and guys sometimes don't 'get' Paris, but the combination of romance, shops/boutiques, history and the culture is unbeatable.
She'll love it, which surely is the whole point
It's not very PH and guys sometimes don't 'get' Paris, but the combination of romance, shops/boutiques, history and the culture is unbeatable.
She'll love it, which surely is the whole point
Expedia and ebookers are pretty good for prices normally. You often save when you book the hotel and flight together on those websites. Or hotels.com, they often have discount codes floating on the the internet for them. Check out reviews on Trip Advisor first before booking any hotel.
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