Easter Week in Europe, Destination Suggestions Please
 

Hi,

My husband and I will be in the UK for two weddings in April, and would like to go on vacation somewhere in Europe for 6 days (April 10-16th) in between the weddings. We would like to go somewhere outside of the UK, and I am wondering if anyone could give me some recommendations of places that will have decent weather (not too cold or rainy) and won't be too affected by the Easter holidays (everything won't be closed).

We used to live in Switzerland, so we would like to go somewhere different. We love France, and would be open to options around France, other than Paris, Burgundy, and Provence, which we have already been to. Other countries are also game :-)

We love great food and wine, and are happy to spend relaxed days on a road trip enjoying scenery. Alternatively, we would be open to city suggestions too.

Thanks in advance!

Well, why don't you try providing some criteria that would narrow down suggestions.

Like, How much do you want to spend on these 6 days. What level of accommodation it has to cover. ie. 3 star, 5 star. What activities or interests you have other than food, wine and scenery.

Otherwise, you are asking people to just throw a dart at a map of Europe and suggest anything it hits.

There is no set budget, but I would say approximately $200-$250 per night for accommodation would be the max we would like to spend, (unless the place was really special). At least 3 star, but 4 star would be preferred.

We would like something that has a good mix of culture and scenery. We like to go to museums (history more than art, but a bit of art is good too), and also would be happy to see some castles, (not necessary). I love quaint villages with nice cafes and shops as well. I would say we aren't very interested in seeing a bunch of churches or cathedrals, as we have been to many before.

We really love good food, and visiting vineyards, and my husband is very into photography, so dramatic landscapes is also a plus. I would say hiking is something to avoid.

My main concern, I guess, is that it is Easter week, so I am afraid that everything will be closed. Any suggestions or advice on places that might not be completely dead, where all the restaurants, attractions, and shops are closed would be greatly appreciated.

Some of the ideas I have been looking into so far are:

-Loire Valley (Is there much to do other than seeing the castles?)
-Basque Country (Is the Easter week going to make it difficult to find things that are open?)
-Madeira (Same Easter week question. Also is there enough to do for 6 days?)
-Dordogne region of France + Bordeaux


For reference, some places we have been to before and loved:

-Provence
-Alsace
-Albufeira, Portugal
-Amalfi Coast
-Rome

Are you talking about the week before or after Easter ! Makes a big difference, esp. for Spain. Have you considered Greece ? Athens would fill your requirements.

It would be the 10th of April to the 16th. I will have a look at Athens. Would things be open there that week?

BYW, nothing is closed around Easter. Commerce rules, not religion.

Thanks, that's good to know!

There's no guarantee of warm, sunny weather in April, no matter where you go. The further south you go, the better your chances of good weather. Perhaps somewhere in Sicily?

You can't count on warm, sunny weather anywhere in Europe in April.Easter, here in the Dordogne, is a blip on the screen - not something to worry about for vacation planning.

You wouldn't have to spend anywhere near that amount of money for nice accommodations in the Périgord.

Thanks everyone for the great information! Which airport would be best to fly into to visit Dordogne? Also, is there a specific town or city that would be best to base ourselves in, or should we go to a few different places?

We spent 6 nights/7 days in the Dordogne in May 2015, and loved it. We spent 2 nights in Brantome and 4 nights in Sarlat. Brantome was still quiet in May, but Sarlat was busier. We visited caves, castles, gardens and drove through very picturesque villages, and went on a Dordogne River cruise on a river barge. We loved this vacation; we were busy, but it was relaxing, too, because we didn't have to wait in any lines.

In Brantome, we stayed at the Hotel Restaurant Charbonnel; and in Sarlat, we stayed at the Villa des Consuls.

Just click on my name if you want to read my trip report.
Hope this helps!

http://www.residencelecastelas.com/gbindx.htm

http://www.francethisway.com/places/aigueze.php

http://www.gardtourism.com/aigueze-o...ad4e0d5/detail


There is plenty to see and do daytripping with a car including Avignon and the Cote de Rhone vineyards.

https://www.google.ca/webhp?sourceid...he+vineyards&*

https://www.google.ca/maps/dir/Aigu%...d43.949317!3e0

Forgot to say you would fly London, Gatwick to Marseilles.

Why does this forum not have an edit function. So annoying.

Fly on Easyjet.

http://www.easyjet.com/en/routemap

Fly into Bergerac if you want to visit the Dordogne. There are many options for flying from the UK - London, Stanstead, Exeter, Birmingham, Manchester, Southampton....on Easy Jet and other cheap airlines.

There is no need to choose more than one base, assuming you want to do the main things people come to the Dordogne for. Sarlat is the obvious choice for the Périgord Noir, but there are plenty of lovely villages nearby it where you won't have to contend with traffic. Most of the main attractions (which are mainly south and west of Sarlat) are within about a half-hour's drive. The other three Périgords (vert, pourpre, and blanc) have fewer attractions and are less gorgeous than the Périgord Noir.

Definitely fly into Bergerac.

Another great area is southwest of France.
Fly into Carcassonne (Ryanair has flights into) and visit the region, Toulouse, Narbonne Perpignan, Beziers and 3 national parks.

About as good as Dordogne and good weather more guaranteed.

Thanks so much everyone! This is all extremely helpful!

I have always thought that being in Seville, Spain, for Holy Week would be fantastic, so that's where I would go. However, don't know about the availability of lodging, and suspect that you're getting a late start if you want to stay in Seville.

No matter where you decide to go, have a great time!

A few years ago I was in Seville for Holy Week and it was fabulous. I'm not particularly religious and am not Catholic, but the processions were amazing. We stayed in a private apartment, so accommodations could be an issue. A day trip to Jerez for the sherry is easy on the train. Food is great and weather was warm and sunny.

In the Dordogne, near Sarlat, we stayed at a wonderful B&B, L'ombriere. Not sure if they'd have an opening now, but if they did, it was absolutely delightful.
http://lombriere.com/gb/index.html