soapdragon Posted October 30, 2016 Share Posted October 30, 2016 We have decided that we'd like to take the boys (12 and 9) on a city break next Easter. Neither have been abroad before or flown! We are looking for a European city with excellent transport from the airport to the city centre as we don't want to hire a car or spend ages travelling once we land. OH and I had a great break in Amsterdam before the boys were born so that is on the list but I wondered if any of you had other recommendations. The budget will be tight so I guess that rules out Scandanavia (which, I am told, is very expensive!) Any thoughts, Oh Wise and Well Travelled Ones? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cat tails Posted October 30, 2016 Share Posted October 30, 2016 I love Rotterdam as well! Extensive public transportation network and Rotterdam-The Hague airport very close by. Less of the very historic things as Amsterdam, but Delft is within 20 min travel from city centre. Great architecture and some amazing museums as well. And has a nice shopping centre Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blackrocksrock Posted October 30, 2016 Share Posted October 30, 2016 Been to Brussels great transportation system and historic buildings, hop on hop off bus was great and we did a visit to the Expo site and the Atomium. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cat tails Posted October 30, 2016 Share Posted October 30, 2016 Oh yeah! Brussels is nice too! Very touristy though. Great hotel to stay in: Hotel Bloom. Amazing views! I like Essen too. Also great public transportation and loads of old factories and such transformed to public places, parks and museums. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
soapdragon Posted October 30, 2016 Author Share Posted October 30, 2016 Food for though there; thanks! Wondered about Eastern European cities such s Prague, Krakow etc as might be cheaper? Again, any thoughts/comments etc welcome! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
patsylabrador Posted October 30, 2016 Share Posted October 30, 2016 My MS just did a short break in Venice. He had a broken hand and the people there were delightful and kind. He was on his own but met a lot of nice locals. The transport from the airport was a river bus and was simple, reliable and straightforward. I think your boys would be delighted by a city where the bin lorries, ambulances, delivery vans etc are done by water. MS said reading about that is one thing, seeing but is another. He felt very relaxed and happy there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mollyripkim Posted October 30, 2016 Share Posted October 30, 2016 Another vote for Venice here, water buses are cheap, easy and fun to use. Loads to see in a relatively small area, we always walk miles. Krakow is lovely too but we found had to travel further although the main square is beautiful and there is a lovely castle. Salt mines are very interesting. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grandmashazzie Posted October 30, 2016 Share Posted October 30, 2016 I really liked Berlin,or Belfast,lots to do Titanic Exhibition,Bus Tour,Crumlin Road Jail, ice hockey,walking tours. Venice lovely,friend got Air B and B apartment very reasonable and central. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndyRoo Posted October 30, 2016 Share Posted October 30, 2016 Berlin is pretty easy to travel around from the airport (although I admit that I have only ever visited via the train). Personally I don't like Brussels at all. I've been a few times and always thought it is very dirty and doesn't have much going on. The best I could say about it is that it is 'functional', but if you land in Brussels, Bruges is only an hour or so away by train and is much nicer - although you'd only need 2 days to see it all. Venice is very nice. If you want to save some money, don't stay on the islands, stay in Mestre - admittedly it is near the red light district and isn't quite so nice; however, it will also save you a fair bit of money on your hotels. And even though it's not such a nice area, we never had or saw any trouble when we stayed there. It's a 15-20 minute bus journey, or perhaps 10 minutes on the train into the centre part of Venice. Travelling to the islands is pretty easy on the water taxis. The only thing I would say about Venice is that it is a tourist trap, so check the prices of *everything* up front otherwise you'll end up spending £10 on 2 cans of coke (no joke!). Just throwing it out there as an alternative: Jersey is usually pretty nice in spring and the airport is only about a 15 minute taxi ride from most places. The Pomme D'or Hotel on the seafront down by the marina (well, one of them) is really nice. A little expensive, but nice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grandmashazzie Posted October 30, 2016 Share Posted October 30, 2016 Yes Andyroo Jersey is lovely. I arrived here yesterday. Lots of things seem shut for the season. We are going to Durrell Zoo tomorrow. People seem very friendly and weather is lovely. I would think at Easter there would be lots happening. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mullethunter Posted October 30, 2016 Share Posted October 30, 2016 Malaga has a lovely old section. Easy transport around the city from the airport and warmer than Northern Europe. Also I've never been but have heard good things about Madrid and Barcelona. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndyRoo Posted October 30, 2016 Share Posted October 30, 2016 Yes Andyroo Jersey is lovely. I arrived here yesterday. Lots of things seem shut for the season. We are going to Durrell Zoo tomorrow. People seem very friendly and weather is lovely. I would think at Easter there would be lots happening. Oh really? Last time I went it was Christmas, but even on boxing day things seemed relatively busy. There is a nice stretch of seafront in Saint Helier, and a nice walk up to the hills that overlook the bay etc. They also have a nice little indoor market there... or at least they did. It's probably 8 years since I've last been. If you can get out to it this time of year Elizabeth Castle is very nice. The Ariande steam clock makes quite an interesting sight if you happen to be passing. Again, I am not sure what happens around this particular time of year but you can do dolphin and whale watching tours - and some food tours too! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
patsylabrador Posted October 31, 2016 Share Posted October 31, 2016 London of course. Have you done London? (But book everything in advance) Wherever you put on your shortlist it's worth checking out TripAdvisor for ideas and facts. I like the reviews, some people are just plain grumpy and miserable but I take a sort of average which is then quite helpful. By the way, lots of cities do Welcome Cards which help pay towards bus fares, tram fares, entrance into museums etc. Heidelberg does a Heidelberg be Happy for example and encourages you to go to various shops for offers etc, things like that. You can order them online so you've got it before you go, just visit the tourist information website of whatever city you choose. We like to order maps, brochures, lists of events etc before we go. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
soapdragon Posted October 31, 2016 Author Share Posted October 31, 2016 Wow, thanks everyone! I agree that Venice would be wonderful; I lived there for 6 months when I was 18 (soooo, some time ago then ) and know it quite well - can't imagine its changed THAT much in the intervening period! However, its very expensive to eat and we are on quite a tight budget so sadly, not just yet! London or Jersey would both be nice but the primary aim is to give the boy's a taste of somewhere 'foriegn' (however, you spell it; hard of thinking moment here!) and an aeroplane flight. They have never been abroad before and are now of an age to appreciate it all and also to remember (I hope!) I have been doing a bit of research on Dubrovnik which looks quite medieval and with lots to do; I now need to find out how close the airport is! Prague has been mentioned by friends too...Eastern Europe seems to still be a bit 'undiscovered'. Still very much open to ideas though....... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndyRoo Posted October 31, 2016 Share Posted October 31, 2016 I have been doing a bit of research on Dubrovnik which looks quite medieval and with lots to do; I now need to find out how close the airport is! Prague has been mentioned by friends too...Eastern Europe seems to still be a bit 'undiscovered'. Still very much open to ideas though....... Both Dubrovnik and Split are beautiful! You can even do a little cruise up the med, island hopping; it's great! Eastern Europe is becoming more westernised, but places like Hungary and Serbia etc. are still a little behind the times. I've said it before and I'll say it again: Budapest is lovely. The people there are very friendly, you'll find you probably won't have to learn any Hungarian because *everyone* speaks English. It's also very reasonably priced... one of my favourite bits was the cocktail bars - they don't seem to believe in measures, just free-pouring. We ordered several which basically came in pint glasses - and they cost a stonking £2.5 each! Prague is really nice either in summer or winter. As a curve ball, how about on of the Canary Islands? I know they're very anglicised because of all the ex-pats, but they are very nice. I really like Barcelona, but as I may have mentioned before: you really need to watch your bags, wallets, phones etc. It's a lovely place but it is *rife* with pickpockets etc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
soapdragon Posted October 31, 2016 Author Share Posted October 31, 2016 Ooops, sorry, senior moment as well as hard of thinking day meant to put Krakow not Dubrovnik (tho sure the latter is lovely too!!) OH favours Budapest....as for the bars - being accompanied by a 12 year old and an 8 year old may curtail our enjoyment of said establishments! Does sound good though! We will be travelling during the Easter hols as secondary school now threatens all sorts of nasties if you even consider taking your child out for a hol so we are particularly cost concious as will be paying a premium to travel anyway. Canaries sounds great but also will be costly on travel as the tour operators wack up the prices of the flights for all of us demented parents desperate for some sun! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
patsylabrador Posted October 31, 2016 Share Posted October 31, 2016 Have a look at Europa Park in Germany......if you like theme parks, it's excellent, we've been going for over twenty years. Strasbourg would be a good base which I also believe is a nice city. Just a thought, I think your boys would love it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daphne Posted October 31, 2016 Share Posted October 31, 2016 Porto or Lisbon? Safe and good quality/ cheap accommodation -check out apartments. Lots to do, great walking or metro/trains, great trams in Lisbon. Good trains into cities from airports. There is lots to do in Brussels, but it hotels can be very pricey. Paris is fab with the most to do and experience, but not cheap. I'd steer clear of Spain because of eating hours in cities. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lewis Posted October 31, 2016 Share Posted October 31, 2016 I was in Budapest this weekend and had a great time. Been before so didn't so too much touristy stuff but there's lots to do. The zoo is good, a few good (but biased) museums, thermal baths; it's fairly cheap, easy to get around and clean. We did Krakow in September and loved it. Auschwitz was a good day out, there were a few children there though not sure if suitable for an 8yo. I'd like to go back next year to do the Salt Mines. Dublin is another option though more expensive than others mentioned. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
soapdragon Posted October 31, 2016 Author Share Posted October 31, 2016 Krakow sadly 'out' as flights are difficult....all seem to stop over somewhere for anything from an hour to three! Dubrovnick possible but maybe Amsterdam!? At this rate we'll end up on the Isle of Wight! Budapest seems a front runner at the mo...... will look at Lisbon too and thanks for the tip about the late eating in Spain - its that sort of thing that you don't nec think about but can impact on the few days that we will have! More bashing away at the keyboard tomorrow as well as filling in passport forms for the boys and I! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
patsylabrador Posted November 1, 2016 Share Posted November 1, 2016 Is using the EuroTunnel and driving an option? You'd save a ton of money and it's more flexible. Plus you can stock up on snacks and wine etc at City Europe before you hit the road. Bruges is just a short drive, we generally get to Germany around 3pm so that gives you an idea of your radius. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blackrocksrock Posted November 1, 2016 Share Posted November 1, 2016 What about Dublin, there are chep flights there and its a lovely city with loads to do and great transport, fom the dart tram, trains and bus services. You ciukd stay out of the city but it is so mukti cuktural its nice to be in the city. Loads of shows to see at jight too and wonderful eateries. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grandmashazzie Posted November 1, 2016 Share Posted November 1, 2016 In Jersey you can camp at the Durrell centre,all set up for you and they have a hostel. That might be worth looking into in other countries.There is a lovely Castle to explore and seafaris,both sadly shut at this time of year. At Easter lots happening.Edinburgh would be interesting too.Prague is very walkable, last There about 10 years ago and food was cheapish. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
soapdragon Posted November 1, 2016 Author Share Posted November 1, 2016 Krakow back on!!!!!! Can do a 'package' with direct flight and hotel so looking into that. Not sure how much extra Travel Agent will charge though! Can also fly direct but only Gatwick - which isn't a prob but would we be better booking flight and hotel ourselves seperately? Sorry to be dim;not done this before! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chooksRCute Posted November 1, 2016 Share Posted November 1, 2016 Berlin & Prague have lots to offer re history & can be done cheaply. Excellent transport links too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
