I shall be based in London for 2-months training in July-August this year. Would love to do some tours on weekends. Apart from the usual big cities are there any places anyone could suggest for me to visit? I can fly out London on Friday nights and return Sunday nights I suppose. I have been to Europe many times before but only to the well known cities so would like some expert advice from you travellers! Many thanks in advance!!

Where have you been before? It might help to get an idea of the cities and countries - and maybe what you thought of them?

I've been to Paris, Loire Valley, Nice in France, Pisa, Florence, Rome, Venice in Italy, Berlin and Frankfurt, Amsterdam, Brussels, Vienna, Athens, the Greek islands, Madrid, Barcelona, Ibiza, Copenhagen, Geneva. Don't actually remember much about most of these cities apart from those in France, Italy, Greece, Spain and Brussels as I visited these places last year. I'm a 24-yr-old girl and will probably travel with some colleagues or solo. Not sure yet. Would love to see Eastern Europe. Heard great things about Prague.

Since you've forgotten how the other cities you've previously visited looked like, why not just re-visit them?

well I'm planning to see Vienna again since I remember it was a beautiful city. However I thought it would be good to explore some other destinations that are less well known or that might offer some of a different experience to a foreigner. = )

Prague is very popular, although it's years since I was there (it was still Communist then!); Tallin is beautiful, as is St Petersburg. Madrid, Barcelona & Lisbon are also very popular weekend destinations.

Well you've probably been to more European cities than I have! I'd suggest maybe Stockholm (and a good time of year to go there, don't go in winter!), Budapest (increasingly popular, dubbed the new Prague) and maybe Riga (I have friends who go there a lot and adore it, there's very little tourism so is relatively unspoilt FOR NOW, but that will change soon).

It's definitely worth a weekend trip to Prague, it's something of a must-do.

Also, I noticed that you don't have anywhere in Ireland on the list. Dublin is the obvious choice but in many ways it's like every other European city - rather like the Tower of Babel when you hear all the languages - so maybe think about Cork?

To be honest, the choice is endless now that flights are so cheap. Why not be spontaneous and just go online on Thursday and see where you can get to on Friday!?

Don't you want to explore the rest of the UK ? Although you don't say where you are from - maybe you are British but not usually in London ?

In my experience the very cheap flights are cheap a few months in advance - not the night before.

I'm w/ caroline on this one. Do you live in the UK? If not - you can use weekends to to see Edinburgh, Devon/Cornwall, the Cotswolds, Yorkshire, the South coast, Wales or any number of wonderful places . . . . .

Good advice fromCaroline.

Copenhagen is always nice for a weekend.

You might want to consider Bordeaux, Montpelier and the Amalfi Coast of Italy.

If you want to see Prague, go there. It would also be a good time to visit Ireland, Scotland and parts of England outside of London. And, you can't visit Paris too often. Sounds like you have a wonderful opportunity!

Wow thanks guys for all the great input. Perhaps more about myself here, I'm from Hong Kong and thus am not too familiar with UK apart from London. Would like to explore its towns too but have no idea where to go.
I agree there can't be too much of Paris however Paris is also very expensive and since I've been there few times before I thought it would be good to see some other different places as well.

I will definitely go to Prague! and probably Budapest as well. Can I ask where Riga is? And the Amalfi Coast of Italy (Is there a name of a town/city in this area or do I just search for Amalfi coast)?

For cheap flights I always use Easyjet or Ryanair. Are there any other cheap carriers?

Hi Chelsea,

Riga is the capital of Latvia, so relatively unknown. Apparently it's a strange mix of attractive old town and stark communist architecture, so I don't know how much there really is to do (since it hasn't embraced tourism just yet) but my friends certainly enjoy it.

Hi C,

The Amalfi Coast region goes from Sorrento to Amalfi, Italy.

You can check www.whichbudget.com for flights on budget carriers to particular destinations.

Get down to Sorrento and enjoy the Lemoncello*, its truely beautiful with dramtic views from its rugged cliffs. Nip over to capri and see how posh the well-heeled Italians are! And of couse the oligatory white knuckle ride down the Amalfi coast. Still means you'll have to go back another time for Pompeii.

Enjoy the Sun girlie, stops looking at those frozen countries, defrost after that cold English winter immediately!

Take care
Elaine

*A sticky lemon liquer, best drank on a veranda overlooking the sea with friends>

I am with Janis on this one.
As you are in London, why not visit the 'Uk and Ireland'?

Book early and you will get good deals flying from London to, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Cardiff, Belfast, Dublin and by train to the various counties mentioned - I would include Sussex and Kent as you are based in London
Enjoy

Wow cheers guys for all the valuable input! I'm gonna have 8 weekends to travel so looking at some impromptu travel with colleagues I'd like to research for 6 places to visit now.
Prague, Budapest, Riga, Amalfi Coast, and prob 2 from the below: Edinburgh, Glasgow, Cardiff, Belfast, Dublin. Since I have no idea about these cities could anyone give me suggestions which to choose?
Also Tallulah, would appreciate if you could provide some sources for researching on Riga. It sounds like an interesting place to visit to me. Many thanks!!!

Sorry, I've got another question - is crime / safety a concern in Riga? Cos I might be travelling as a female solo or with a female friend. Thanks again..

chelsea,

I used to live in Riga for a while, so will take the opportunity to join in with some information.

The last aspect first: I don't think security is an issue in Riga. I always felt pretty safe in the city. As a tourist you will likely stay in the inner city, where streets are populated even at night time. You might want to use some extra caution in those Soviet style and a bit impoverished areas just east of town (Maskava Forstate), but then you are not too likely to even go there when visiting for a weekend.

I do not necessarily agree that Riga has not yet been discovered by tourists. In my experience the city has been very well visited over recent years.

Apart from my tips here on Fodor's ( ;-) ; you might do a text search here, I have been posting extensively), your best bet for info are the webpages of

www.inyourpocket.com

They provide valuable and reliable info and I would strongly suggest you obtain the current issue of their guide upon your arrival in Riga. They are being sold at hotels and kiosks of the Narvesen chain.

In general, Riga would make for an ideal weekend destination IMHO. There is easily enough to do to keep you busy for three to four days.
If you would care to specify your interests, I will gladly try to come up with some custom fit suggestions on what to do, where to stay and where to dine.

Cheers
hsv