Winter break in Europe - Where? (not skiing)

[matt3001]

After some inspiration for a winter break in europe, 2 or 3 nights for a birthday celebration?

One of the Swiss cities? Trip to Jungfraujoch?

[fatboy b]

Salzburg is lovely, especially if you catch the Cgristmas markets.

[jaymzfc]

Malta? How about some winter sun, it wont be swimming weather but it wont be freeziing and rain is few and far between.

[Mobile Chicane]

Tallinn.

Lots of info here:

http://www.inyourpocket.com/estonia/tallinn

[911ked]

Innsbruck in Austria is beautiful in summer or winter - good Chrimbo market. Sensible size city, lots to do and lots of local gondola/cable cars to get up in the mountains even if you just enjoy a coffee and take in the view. The mountain tram ride from Innsbruck along the Stubai valley is well worth it (again - summer or winter)

[George7]

I went to Venice last December with my Dad as I had some holiday to use up at work and was looking for somewhere cheap to get away to for a week. It was around ~£220 per person for 5 nights in a 3 star hotel, including British Airways flights. It was an absolutely lovely place to amble around for a few days, and because it was December, the crowds were non existent. The weather was absolutely perfect for me, as I dislike hot weather (it was fairly cold, crisp weather; rained a couple of times, but most of the time it was decent and sunny). I was slightly worried about the floods, but they really aren't anything to worry about and are generally limited to a small area (around Piazza St Marco). Wellington boots would probably come in useful, but I got by fine with just waterproof 6" Timberland boots.

I can post up some pictures if you're interested?

[RonanF]

My gf and I did five nights in Budapest in January. I couldn’t recommend it highly enough. The flights are cheap and only circa two hours. There is an excellent shuttlebus service from the airport to whatever hotel you’re staying at. Good accommodation is relatively cheap, we got excellent 5* accommodation in the Corinthia for only €150 a night. It’s a beautiful city with loads to do and great public transport (the public baths are a must). The people are friendly and mostly all speak English (Hungarian women are stunning!). The food is great, if you're a meat eater and wine is simply superb. I’d go back there in a heartbeat

Edited by RonanF on Thursday 1st August 16:56

[matt3001]

George7 by all means post up some pictures! Never considered Venice out of season.

Also very intrigued by Austria (I have been to Vienna) - any good hotel recommendations?

Ronan thanks for mentioning Budapest - but we did that last November and stayed at the Kempinski, fantastic place and I agree completely with your critique.

Maybe I should have made it a bit easier and said I didn't want to go back to anywhere we have already been which includes; Monaco/Cannes, Bratislava, Hamburg, Berlin, Budapest, Dublin, Barcelona, Trier, Geneva/Lausanne.

What about Eurostar to Brussels and then change and stay in Bruges or Antwerp and visit the other one on the train for the day?

[George7]

The flood in St Mark's, this is the deepest it got.











The weather was quite sunny most of the time we were there, we did have a couple of cloudy days though. The temperature was generally around 5-10C when we were there, which is about perfect for me.