City Break Suggestions Please

[curlyfries81]

Four ladies who want a city break not too far from the airport. We are happy to travel to the less well-known cities - a friend suggested Varna in Bulgaria and we will certainly consider that one, but we will obviously consider the major cities as well. We've done Rome, Barcelona, Paris, Krakow, Athens, Venice, Reykjavik and Lisbon between us and don't really want to go to anywhere we've already been to. 

Thanks in advance.

[naomi24]

Amsterdam.  

[Barmaid]

I absolutely love Florence.  Loads to see (particularly if you like art and architecture); some lovely boutique shops and spoilt for choice on some lovely places to eat.

[rockyracoon]

Budapest

Seville

Florence

 

[naomi24]

Bruges, Carcassonne, Marrakech, Granada, Venice.

[Lie-in King]

Some years ago & off the top of my head, I suggested Prague to a couple of female friends & they had a brilliant time.

I've never been & have no idea what it would be like these days, though some snippets here -

https://tinyurl.com/38vb9z93

[naomi24]

Prague is lovely - and the opera house there serves the best gin & tonic in the world.  Just one more reason to go.  

[curlyfries81]

Two of us really fancy Prague but one wants to do it with her son for his birthday. Florence is practically top of the list for all of us, but am I right in thinking you have to fly to Pisa and make your way to Florence?

Another friend of ours is off to Bruges next month so we'll wait to hear her verdict on that one. We have friends currently in Vienna. Someone mentioned Timisoara in Romania and Novi Sad in Serbia as alternatives. Budapest is definitely a possibility. 

[mushroom25]

// am I right in thinking you have to fly to Pisa and make your way to Florence? //

if you can fly from London, you can fly direct to Florence (by BA or Vueling), otherwise yes, you have to go to Pisa. pretty much any method you use will take about an hour but the cheaper most faffless way is the bus. while you can buy tickets for the bus to Florence at Pisa airport, you can only book online for the return from Florence.

[MargoTester]

I loved Madrid lots to see and do and Seville.we went to Cordoba on the train from Seville to visit Mezquita which is a huge Mosque/ Cathedral. Also visited Split  and Prague which we enjoyed

[Barmaid]

The train from Pisa to Florence is a doddle and only costs a few Euros.  You can buy your tickets online through Trenitalia.  The Italian railway system is excellent and the trains far more comfortable than here.  Florence R/W (Santa Maria Novella) station is also centrally located.

Do not go to Pisa though.  It is an awful place.

[MargoTester]

Forgot Budapest and Bruges which were also great. We always book tickets for the first morning for a hop on hop off bus tour which gives you a general overview.

[curlyfries81]

Thank you for all the suggestions and tips. Split and Dubrovnik have been mentioned in conversations as has Seville. We will consider all these options.

[brainiac]

I agree Bruges is lovely, but it can be a bit touristy.  Instead try Ghent - cathedral, amazing Gravensteen castle, canals, medieval architecture, cafés, might even be ballet or opera on at the opera house.   

It's a short hop on the train from Brussels, included in Eurostar ticket.

[curlyfries81]

Thanks, Braniac, I have looked at Ghent in the past as well as Arhus in Denmark when I've googled.