european beach ideas
 

Hello all,

I was looking for some ideas with planning a short trip away with my boyfriend. We are both students, and will be leaving from Prague. I was hoping for a romantic town/beach... somewhere tucked away maybe, but still easy to reach. Our dates our March 14-18. The warmer the weather, the better. Some general places I'm looking at are Barcelona, Costa Brava, Marseilles and Côte d'Azur, Amalfi Coast, etc etc. Thanks for any help in advance!

March is not beach weather on Cote d'Azur
or Barcelona.

Do you just want to BE in a beach town or are you expecting to be able to swim/sun, etc? Because that's not happening anywhere in Europe in March.

If you just want a beach town, the Amalfi Coast or Riviera or Costa Brava are all quite lovely any time of year.

Only beach weather to be had in March is in the Canaries. You could try one of the smaller islands, like La Palma but I don't know how easy they are to get to from Prague.

I agree, the only place where swimming is possible in mid-March is the Canary Islands. If you do not want to swim but just enjoy some warm weather I recommend the Baleares (Mallorca is the best) or Andalucia (around Malaga).

I have not been to Crete or Turkey; it may be warm there as well.

Cote d'Azur will be cold (because of the mistral); Costra Brava will be cold; Amalfi will be cold too (I was there twice in April, and both times it was pretty cold).

How about Egypt? More guaranteed sunny days than Canaries. Nights still cold, but days warm and sunny. Also nearer than Canaries.

Thanks for the help so far. I kinda figured it would not be prime beach weather during that time. The most important thing is just that its both romantic and fairly cheap. We both enjoy skiing and I know the snow is still pretty good at that time. Maybe with our location in Prague and given the time that is more feasible? Any recommendations on somewhere nice to visit in March are appreciated.

Hey Hawkeye:

Haven't seen you since "MASH"...try Turkey, along the Turquoise Coast, Bodrum and Marmaris..beautiful beaches and should be fairly warm. Other than that we've got some pretty fine beaches in Southern California! Another alternative would be in Southern Croatia, Dubrovnik area.

Stu T.

HI Hawkeye - I'd second Elina's suggestion: Egypt.
Consider Naama Bay (- Red Sea).

I was there a fortnight ago and had 2 weeks of sunshine (25-28C).

March would be perfect ...

Steve

I know tower is trying to be helpful, but on Mar 14 2006 in Bodrum (or nearby Milas) the high was 55F and the low 42F: http://tinyurl.com/2p5smm. Dubrovnik had a high of 53F and a low of 41F on that same day: http://tinyurl.com/yu3f8f.

Maybe you should just go skiing, and save your beach holiday for a warmer time of year. Egypt would be good, though. My daughter will be in Sharm al-Sheikh about then. Last year she was there in Feb, and weather was warm. Use the above trip planner to see the weather history for wherever you would like to go.

Heimdahl:

One of our visits to Turkey covered later March to mid April...and I recall very balmy westher in Bodrum. Possibly different this year. Also spent a late March and Early April on the Dalmatian coast..very pleasant. Who knows for sure.
Stu T.

I know Tunisia's not europe, but still very accessible.

there are lots of people in the water here in Cornwall now, but most are wearing wet- [or even dry-] suits.

Good luck!

Anyone been to Murcia in March? I know the water won't be warm but that doesn't bother me. Just laying on the beach would be nice. I was just thinking of somewhere relaxing since he will only be over here visitng me for 11 days. I don't want to be running around a capital city somewhere all day long. I'd much rather enjoy his company somewhere naturally beautiful.

Thanks for the Tunisia, Morocco, Madeira, Canaries, Egypt, etc suggestions but they are all too expensive for our student budgets.

I would suggest the Costa del Sol as the weather should be pretty warm. Nerja and Marbella are both nice towns.

Carolena