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Post by crystal on Mar 26, 2009 17:56:12 GMT -5
Hi everyone
I was wanting to plan a little hop to the continent soon possibly May before things get all silly season. Trouble is nailing down my destination.
As always I'm looking for a cheap as chips place and am interested in
culture and history but also a bit of a chill out.
Sooooo I can't decide between a sun holiday or a city break. Opinions please on the following.
SUN AND CHILL OUT
A Greek Island possible Rhodes but open to suggestions
Portugal
CITY BREAK
Barcelona
Budapest
I will have an excitable toddler with me but he is quite a seasoned traveller and is usually relaxed about different environments. I've travelled all around Turkey and Bulgaria and have visited Rome, Paris and Amsterdam so these are off limits but other than that I'm open to suggestions.
A quite vague and open post but inspire me GFE people.
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Post by herrbert on Mar 26, 2009 19:25:32 GMT -5
Barcelona seems to have the best of both worlds. And a big city full of culture, and the beach nearby to relax and to play (with sun). The good thing is that there are plenty flights to Barcelona (or nearby Girona) so it should still be possible to get a cheap flight.
The northern "green" part of Spain is beautiful as well. (take your pick between San Sebastian and Santiago.) But maybe a little bit harder to fly to from the north of England.
For a city break without beach, I would go for Vienna. In May it's usualy good weather, there are enough parks to escape to when you want to relax, and for art, culture and history you can't go wrong here.
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Post by crystal on Mar 27, 2009 10:31:41 GMT -5
How far is the beach from central Barcelona?
Which area of the city should I look to stay in? I would want to be central but don't mind short public transport trips.
And do the budget flights really fly to Barcelona or are they to some airport miles away?
It has been on my "to do" list for ages so I think I might have a look at Barcelona.
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Post by Eagle on Mar 27, 2009 12:44:32 GMT -5
Crystal,
Of the locations you mentioned, Barcelona does indeed sound like a good choice (and of course herrbert will be able to provide you with the best information!). I checked RyanAir and they apparently have flights from Durham-Teeside but I wasn't able to find any current schedules? They also have flights from MAN to GRO, and these appear to be on a weekly basis. I normally try to avoid RyanAir, but I'm not sure what alternatives there are from your area?
Although I haven't been to Rhodes (yet), I've heard that the Greek Islands may not be fully "operational" for tourists until about May. Budapest could be a bit "chilly" in April? Portugal (and especially the Algarve) would be another good choice, as the weather should be about the same as Barcelona and (depending on which location you choose), the area is usually quite inexpensive for holidays. I imagine after an English winter, you'll be ready for some sunshine!
Good luck with your decision!
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Post by herrbert on Mar 27, 2009 17:00:14 GMT -5
Note that Ryanair flies to Gerona, and not to Barcelona El Prat (BCN). How about Newcastle - Barcelona with Easyjet? (Liverpool is also possible) The beach is not that far from Central Barcelona (although there is a lot of Central  ) You can do that by foot (of buggy) |
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Post by crystal on Mar 28, 2009 7:03:50 GMT -5
Yes I looked at the Easyjet flights Newcastle to Barcelona. They were around £95 return all in, for the dates I wanted, for me and my son which I thought was OK. Generally Newcastle is the easiest airport for me to fly from. It's about a 1 1/2 hr drive.
I have flew from Liverpool before as well as Manchester and Preswick but it is than little bit further. In fact Glasgow is nearer for me.
Any tips or hints on cheap budget hotels or which areas of the city to look at. I can't really do shared hostel dorms with a toddler. His cute behaviour is not so cute to other travellers at 7am !!!
Thanks for the help everyone.
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Post by herrbert on Mar 29, 2009 7:11:45 GMT -5
Sorry, no idea about hotels ...
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Post by Eagle on Mar 29, 2009 15:03:06 GMT -5
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Post by madamtrashheap on Mar 30, 2009 3:35:37 GMT -5
crystal, your little boy's blue backpack is getting a workout again! Nice one! Barcelona is a great choice, beach and culture. For hotels, I can suggest: Park Hotel Barcelona - great location, Barri Gotic, but might be a bit too expensive (not sure of your budget). Centric Point Hostel - good location, right off Placa de Catalunya, and you might get lucky and grab a private room www.centricpointhostel.com/ Hotel Catalonia Atenas - located not far from Sagrada Familia, just near a Metro stop that accesses two lines and is only 4 stops from La Ramblas so easy to get around. Great rooms, very swish, staff nice too. www.hoteles-catalonia.com/hc/hotel.do?opcio=comoLlegar&id=137 For some things to see and do and eat: Park Güell (home to Casa-Museu Gaudí and colourful mosaics, dwarf houses and raised walkways; allow half a day to visit the gardens), Picasso Museum - Museu Picasso, located in the Gothic Quarter (Barri Gòtic), Sagrada Família (Gaudi's unfinished Cathedral that is slowly being completed), Las Ramblas (pedistrian area between Placa de Catalunya and the habour; good for people watching and sourvenirs, but watch the pickpockets), Gothic Quarter (Barri Gotic which is home to the Santa Creu Gothic Cathedral, great lanes for wandering and lots of little tapas bars and cafes) Plaça de Catalunya (large square in the centre of the city, Statue of Christopher Columbus (at the end of Las Ramblas, can be climbed for more views of the city and habour), Olympic Stadium, Montjuïc (great views from the fortress), The Face of Barcelona (on the harbour at the end of the Gothic Quarter - piece by artist Joan Miró to commemorate all elements of the city, he also has a museum near Olympic Stadium); The Plaça del Sol in Barcelona is a student area and has some good bars and tapas places; and of course make sure you visit the massive market La Boqueria for lunch or tapas ( pinchos in Catalan) or both! It's just off La Ramblas and is an amazing labyrinth of fresh food sells and stalls as well as great little places for cheap meals. Have a fab time!
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) You can do that by foot (of buggy)