European city break - Late Nov/early Dec - any ideas?

[Sarkmeister]

I am trying to plan a weekend away with the other half, hopefully late Nov/early December preferably to a city in Europe. Nothing too expensive (probably a budget of £450 for flights and hotel (2 nights)). Looking for decent food/drinks and a few interesting buildings/places to look at.

I was thinking something along the lines of Prague or Hamburg. Would rather avoid places where most things are shut this time of year....

Anyone got any suggestions?

Cheers

[Wolff]

Nuremburg in Germany - one of the best Xmas markets, and plenty of history.

[mrmaggit]

Bruges has a skating rink in the Markt every year.

[NewNameNeeded]

Prague gets my vote if it comes in within your budget. Beautiful city, whatever the weather. had four or five Midwestern breaks there and adore the feel of the place.

Did Bruge earlier this year. Nice place but besides walking the canals there wasn't much to do. Not worth more than two nights away in my view.


Probably breaks budget but how about Iceland? Stunning place.

[Desiato]

Barcelona, beautiful city, plenty to do and see and lots of great food.

[Sarkmeister]

Cheers for the suggestions. I like the sound of Madrid, but I think I'm still edging towards Prague. Any suggestions for decent hotel in the £100-£120 a night price range?

Bruges would be a good idea, but I'd rather avoid having to demonstrate my ice skating "skills"....

[torqueofthedevil]

Why not Tallin in Estonia? I went a few years ago for new years eve. Beautiful old town, very historic. Cheap. Good nightlife and restaurants and something different. Felt very festive.

I am currently looking to go to Riga (Latvia) or Vilnius (Lithuania) for this NYE but now also looking at Krakow (Poland). Think they will all be simiar takes on the same idea. Similar to Prague but i think Prague may have become too popular and got expensive?

If you are not going at xmas or nye then flights etc will be cheaper and you will have more flexibility - i am already considering changing when i go as i cant find good flights.

[RobM77]

I've often wondered about Prague. It looks lovely but some people have told me that it's ruined by Brits on Stag trips. Is that right?

[BigAlinEmbra]

Krakow is worth adding to the list of places to consider.
I went for new year a few years back and it's a lovely city.

[Lordbenny]

You really cant beat Brussels in the Winter IMO.

Although I went to Wroclaw in poland two weeks ago, it's a lovely place & an undiscovered gem.

http://wikitravel.org/en/Wroclaw

[FunkyGibbon]

torqueofthedevil said:

Why not Tallin in Estonia? I went a few years ago for new years eve. Beautiful old town, very historic. Cheap. Good nightlife and restaurants and something different. Felt very festive.

That would get my vote as well. Lovely place. We went at that time of year, nice and cold but sunny and dry.

No real evidence of the stag do culture in the older part of the town.

Hell Hunt is a great boozer that brews its own beer.