beanweb24

I should be finding out soon whether or not I'll be spending a few months in London for work. In the meantime, I've been busy daydreaming about the possible weekend trips I will be able to take. I've been to London 3 times (though last time was in 1999) and have taken many European trips since then.

<b>Places I've been</b>
Portugal (Lisbon, Algarve, Sintra)
Ireland (on a Contiki tour)
Scotland (Edinburgh only)
Belgium (Antwerp, Ghent, Brugge, Brussels)
France (Paris)
Italy (Positano, Florence, Rome, Tuscany, Venice several times, Bologna)
Germany (Munich, Bamberg)
Greece (Athens, Santorini)

I'm not opposed to repeating places (and am in fact thinking I would especially like to go back to Brugge and Paris). But I'd like to go to a few new places as well. For example, I would really like to go to Prague.

I'm female, mid-30s and single...and not afraid to travel on my own. I love dining (but eat mostly vegetarian + a little fish), good beer (I take this very seriously), and great walks. I'm not a huge museum/art fan.

I doubt I'll be able to take any long breaks, although I'm thinking about planning one after my work time is done (possibly to Greece). In the meantime, I'm thinking that I'd like to spend many weekends traveling while I have the opportunity (and funds/good health/desire) to do so.

What would be some of your top spots for weekend getaways from London? I realize there is a TON to explore in London itself, and I fully intend to do so...but I also want to take advantage of my temporary location to have some fun weekend adventures.

30travel

Hi. First of all, I hope you get the job!

Now, as for weekend getaways, definitely Paris (so easy with the EuroStar), but I would also suggest Copenhagen. I loved it and spent a long weekend there with friends in the winter when it was quite cold, but even then the people, food, style, etc. added up to a great weekend. I put some of our favorite spots on my blog - http://30somethingtravel.blogspot.co.../label/Denmark.

Another option is Spain, specifically Barcelona and Madrid, especially if you are here in the summer.

And Amsterdam is an easy trip from London too.

Happy Travels,
Stephanie

janisj

There are just TONS of options right in the UK. A long weekend in the Lake District (not over a holiday though); York/North Yorkshire; Many other places in Scotland; Liverpool; Cambridge/east Anglia; North Wales; Cornwall/Devon; Oxford/the Cotswolds; the South Coast/Brighton/Kent; etc etc. All of these are easy by public transport - w/ a rental car your choice would be limitless.

Then all the places on the Continent

yk

I agree with janisj, why not stay within the UK? You'll at least save 4-6 hours in your shor 36-hr trip by NOT having to go to the airport!

Cambridge
Oxford
Bath/Salisbury
York

just to name a few...

beanweb24

Thanks for the replies so far...hadn't even considered Copenhagen, but that is a great suggestion.

Forgot to mention I've already been to Bath, but the other suggestions for UK travel are great as well. I do plan on doing some UK trips for sure, but also want to hit continental Europe.

Most of my previous European trips (2-3 times a year) were taken from DC. I now live in Seattle, and trips to Europe are super expensive (and flights take forever). So I'm really interested in seeing both the UK and mainland Europe.

beanweb24

P.S. 30travel - I love your blog!!!

30travel

P.S. Thanks and by the way, I am from Seattle too and was transferred to Paris with Amazon and my husband is with Microsoft. Small world that you are coming from Seattle too. Anyway, happy to share advice on moving internationally, if you have any questions feel free to e-mail me at [email protected]. Bon voyage

beanweb24

Thanks, Stephanie. I hope I'll be needing your advice soon and will definitely contact you.

beanweb24

ttt

Jay_G

Berlin's good for a long weekend.

To maximise your time, I believe there's a sleeper train that goes direct to Berlin from Paris, so if you can bunk off work slightly early to catch an afternoon Eurostar, once you've changed trains in Paris, you can travel in a leisurely fashion (whilst acting out any Agatha Christie fantasies you might have) and wake up at about 9am in Berlin the following morning.

With the number of artistic/creative and forward-thinking people in Berlin, I'm sure you'll meet people very quickly (if of course you want to) and will definitely be able to enjoy some good beer and most likely good vege food too.

sassy_cat

36 hours is short even for Europe so unless it's a long weekend (i.e. you have Monday or Friday off) then really you're limited to UK/ Paris in my opinion. I think most of the other posters concur as everyone mentions 'long' weekend or 'leaving work early on Friday'.
Otherwise your weekend will be a blur and I think the phrase 'Ah, it's Saturday then this must be Copenhagen' sums it up.

Prague has become the new Blackpool for stag parties so it's possible in a weekend if all you want to do is party on a Saturday night but if you can squeeze an extra day off here and there your LONG weekend trips will be far more enjoyable.

beanweb24

Unfortunately I don't anticipate being able to take very many 3 or 4 day weekends or leaving too early on Fridays. I'll be in London for work and will still be supporting folks on the West Coast in the U.S. But I will do my best to try to take a few.

I don't expect at all to be able to see everything in a city in a 36 hour period, and wouldn't attempt to do so. But I do believe that I can have enjoyable city experience (even if it's just a great restaurant or a pub and a great walk) in that short of a timeframe. After all, if NYTimes can make a standard article out of 36 Hours in ____, I figure I can do it, too!



Maybe that's my answer...is to use NYTimes articles as a beginning. But I'm definitely interested in hearing others' opinions on some great weekend trips.

beanweb24

Thanks Jay_G ... never considered Berlin either. I'll add that to my list of possibilities!