City break in January

N

NI_Red

Active member
Would like to get away for a few days in January but budget is quite limited

So far I can see flights (from Dublin) are quite cheap to

Lisbon
Basel
Vienna

We have two small children (3 and 10 months) so wouldn't be wining and dining.

Where would you recommend visiting in January?
 
Been to Lisbon a few times and loved it each time.

Worked in Basel and loved it but if you can hang on a few weeks Fassnacht is coming up, the kids will like that, great atmosphere in the city.

Haven't been to Vienna.
 
Basel is a nice place. Not LOADS to do though, from memory.

Lisbon is great. Only been in summer though.

Not been to Vienna.
 
I spend a lot of time in Basel, as my wife's company is based there, and many of my friends live there.

It's cold at this time of year, but that means the penguin walk at Basel zoo will be open which allows the children the chance to walk along with the penguins (I think every Saturday morning). My two year old loved it, as well as the wider zoo which is brilliant (knocks London zoo into a cocked hat and is much cheaper). The city is great at fassnacht, and there's a big fair in town although. some of the masks may be a little scary for the 3 year old.
 
NI_Red said:
Copenhagen also coming in quite cheap
Click to expand...
I worked up the road from Copenhagen too, also good for a weekend, the kids will love Tivoli.

Price wise they're more expensive than here and NI, but so is Dublin. You'll need a few bob in your pocket for Basel or Copenhagen. Not so for Lisbon, which will be milder.

If you're looking for a more affordable weekend Krakow is decent and there's some great air BnB accommodation in walking distance of the centre.
 
Im away to Bordeaux in March I went last year for a gig but this time the Lady of the house is going so it will cost me double
 
bertiesboro said:
Im away to Bordeaux in March I went last year for a gig but this time the Lady of the house is going so it will cost me double
Click to expand...
Could never get on with Bordeaux - beautiful city but the people seemed very "Parisian", funnily enough something I've never encountered on multiple trips to Paris. Definite chip I think.

Toulouse was another matter entirely, went a few months back and absolutely loved it. Beautiful city centre and really vibrant with students etc.
 
I did Florence in January a few years back and had a great time.

Clear blue skys, very pleasant when you were in the sun. As soon as you set foot in the shadow, you knew it was January in the hills.
Still a few queues for the big attractions, but I'm sure it was far quieter than it would be in other months.
 
Mainland Europe is freezing right now and set to be cold for sometime. Vienna is -6. I would look ahead at weather reports so you don't get caught out.
 
A week or two flitting around the Algarve for me. OK, you'll need a warm top for the evenings, but the days can be very pleasantly warm and sunny. Big plusses are that there are not too many folk around and also that it's very affordable!
 
Vienna and Basel will be below Zero - Central Europe is colder than the UK until mid April.

For young children - my choice would be Lisbon.

Although agree with CC - Tivoli good for kids in Copenhagen.
 
I think Tivoli is closed in Copenhagen until spring.
I remember being there when it was opening up again; it's like a celebration event in the city.

I'd certainly check before going in January.
 
Yeah the cold spell looks to have gripped Europe definitely. We were in Munich/Salzburg for NY and the temps were fairly mild for the time of year (mid to high 0s).

Amsterdam this weekend looks a different prospect entirely!
 
Basel fassnacht is Feb 19-21, go then but rooms will be scarce and pricey. I went last year and the atmosphere's great.

Wroclaw, Cologne, Hamburg, Berlin, Madrid, Marseille, Naples worth a visit
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top