Ger needs suggestions for a long weekend in January.
Dec 29th, 2004, 09:14 AM
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Ger needs suggestions for a long weekend in January.
Hello all:
I will be in the UK on business in mid-January and MAY be able to fit in a long weekend somewhere. I just can’t think where to go, probably because I have been to all the obvious places over the past few years. I will likely be flying from London and want to limit my search to destinations served by direct flights from LHR to save time and hassle.
I know I want to go somewhere in Southern Europe and have more or less limited my search to Spain or Italy. I am interested in history, art, architecture and would like a bit of sunshine and temperatures in the 50s-60s, if possible. I can hire a car if I decide to stay outside a large city, but want to limit my base within two hours drive of an airport. Here are some airport options I have been tossing around:
Naples: Would not rent a car, assuming most interesting sites can be reach by public transportation
Venice: Have visited on day trips only and would love to spend more time there but believe that the weather in January would be cold and miserable
Malaga: would use it as a base to explore Andulusia. Have been there before, based in Seville, but did not spend near enough time there. This time I would concentrate on the southern areas, but away from the coast.
Lisbon: I never been to Portugal and I know many of you love it.
So, what do you think? Am I leaving out any obvious choices? If you had the chance, where would you go? I look forward to your replies. If I don’t make it to one of these places in January, then doubtless I will during the coming year.
Best regards Ger
I will be in the UK on business in mid-January and MAY be able to fit in a long weekend somewhere. I just can’t think where to go, probably because I have been to all the obvious places over the past few years. I will likely be flying from London and want to limit my search to destinations served by direct flights from LHR to save time and hassle.
I know I want to go somewhere in Southern Europe and have more or less limited my search to Spain or Italy. I am interested in history, art, architecture and would like a bit of sunshine and temperatures in the 50s-60s, if possible. I can hire a car if I decide to stay outside a large city, but want to limit my base within two hours drive of an airport. Here are some airport options I have been tossing around:
Naples: Would not rent a car, assuming most interesting sites can be reach by public transportation
Venice: Have visited on day trips only and would love to spend more time there but believe that the weather in January would be cold and miserable
Malaga: would use it as a base to explore Andulusia. Have been there before, based in Seville, but did not spend near enough time there. This time I would concentrate on the southern areas, but away from the coast.
Lisbon: I never been to Portugal and I know many of you love it.
So, what do you think? Am I leaving out any obvious choices? If you had the chance, where would you go? I look forward to your replies. If I don’t make it to one of these places in January, then doubtless I will during the coming year.
Best regards Ger
Dec 29th, 2004, 09:23 AM
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Hi Ger, you are right, Venice in January will no doubt be very cold and rainy. However some people still enjoy it. But if you have the opportunity to visit Venice during a better period I would wait on this trip.
When I have been in Naples we had a car but from what I have read here there are lots of public transportation options.
I had friends from Italy visit Lisbon a few New Years ago and they had a wonderful time and said the weather was cold and brisk but blue sky etc. Of course with all the weather changes the world seems to be having that does not mean this January will be great.
Am sure you will get some good thoughts from other posters.
Whereever you go, wishes for a good trip. Having read your reports I know it will be. And Happy New Year!
When I have been in Naples we had a car but from what I have read here there are lots of public transportation options.
I had friends from Italy visit Lisbon a few New Years ago and they had a wonderful time and said the weather was cold and brisk but blue sky etc. Of course with all the weather changes the world seems to be having that does not mean this January will be great.
Am sure you will get some good thoughts from other posters.
Whereever you go, wishes for a good trip. Having read your reports I know it will be. And Happy New Year!
Dec 29th, 2004, 09:34 AM
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How about Lazio?
Fly into Fiumicino and pick up a car and head to Ostia Antica for a brief look-see, then head down the coast about an hour. Stay in Sperlonga or thereabouts and visit Anzio (for the WWII museum and cemeteries), the island of Ponza, Gaeta, and the wonderfully preserved medieval inland town of Sermoneta and the abandoned medieval village of Ninfa.
It'd be a nice combination of ocean and inland and you could devise a fantastic little loop to fill a ong weekend.
Fly into Fiumicino and pick up a car and head to Ostia Antica for a brief look-see, then head down the coast about an hour. Stay in Sperlonga or thereabouts and visit Anzio (for the WWII museum and cemeteries), the island of Ponza, Gaeta, and the wonderfully preserved medieval inland town of Sermoneta and the abandoned medieval village of Ninfa.
It'd be a nice combination of ocean and inland and you could devise a fantastic little loop to fill a ong weekend.
Dec 29th, 2004, 01:17 PM
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I knew I could depend on you guys 
LoveItaly: Thanks - I will probably wait until later in the year to go to Venice. Happy New Year to you too!
St. Cirq: Excellent suggestion; I had not thought of driving from Rome, but it certainly offers a lot of options - Lazio and Umbria. I admit to being somewhat scared at the idea of driving in Italy. My last experience, in January, was a foray across the French border from Menton and I only lasted 2 hours before I bolted back to the sanity of France
Grasshopper: Canaries: Gosh, I was there about five times in my youth - sunstroke and sangria! No direct scheds from LHR to the Canaries. I don't fancy Morocco on my own.
cmt: That was my FIRST choice, but again, no direct scheds at that time of year from LHR. Anyway, I think I want longer than just a weekend to explore Sicily - there is SO much to see.
Thanks guys, keep the suggestions coming. I am pouring over my guide books.
regards Ger
LoveItaly: Thanks - I will probably wait until later in the year to go to Venice. Happy New Year to you too!
St. Cirq: Excellent suggestion; I had not thought of driving from Rome, but it certainly offers a lot of options - Lazio and Umbria. I admit to being somewhat scared at the idea of driving in Italy. My last experience, in January, was a foray across the French border from Menton and I only lasted 2 hours before I bolted back to the sanity of France
Grasshopper: Canaries: Gosh, I was there about five times in my youth - sunstroke and sangria! No direct scheds from LHR to the Canaries. I don't fancy Morocco on my own.
cmt: That was my FIRST choice, but again, no direct scheds at that time of year from LHR. Anyway, I think I want longer than just a weekend to explore Sicily - there is SO much to see.
Thanks guys, keep the suggestions coming. I am pouring over my guide books.
regards Ger
Dec 29th, 2004, 01:59 PM
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Sheila, its so lovely to be wanted and I will definately keep it on the list! If not this time, then I promise to visit sometime in 2005. When is the best time to see the highlands? As we are now settling into beautiful Victoria, we will not have a long holiday in Europe this year so I will be taking more shorter breaks when I am over there on business.
Thanks for the invite!
Ger
Thanks for the invite!
Ger
Dec 29th, 2004, 02:40 PM
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I'd probably pick sicily over naples if I were looking for warmer temps...but Venice in January, I've heard from various friends, is a magical experience, even with the cold and damp. The light is diffused and everything appears mystical, even sound is muffled . I know you have an artist's heart..this might just be your thing.
Dec 29th, 2004, 02:48 PM
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Ger, I just read Jody's post regarding Venice.
If cold weather does not bother you (as it does some people) and you bundle up, Venice can be very magical whether it is raining or foggy. So if the cold weather is not a problem for you than perhaps you should give it some consideration.
I agree about wanting a longer trip for Sicily.
The only reason I suggested Venice another time is that you said you wanted weather in the 50's or 60's and Venice will not have this tempature unless you really luck out. And since it is on the Adriatic Sea it can get, brrrr, cold.
BTW, you said you are now in Victoria. Is that Victoria on Vancouver Island?
Also, I would not drive in Italy in the winter. This IMHO would not be fun or relaxing. Especially in northern Italy. The fog causes horrendous auto accidents.
If cold weather does not bother you (as it does some people) and you bundle up, Venice can be very magical whether it is raining or foggy. So if the cold weather is not a problem for you than perhaps you should give it some consideration.
I agree about wanting a longer trip for Sicily.
The only reason I suggested Venice another time is that you said you wanted weather in the 50's or 60's and Venice will not have this tempature unless you really luck out. And since it is on the Adriatic Sea it can get, brrrr, cold.
BTW, you said you are now in Victoria. Is that Victoria on Vancouver Island?
Also, I would not drive in Italy in the winter. This IMHO would not be fun or relaxing. Especially in northern Italy. The fog causes horrendous auto accidents.
Dec 29th, 2004, 03:06 PM
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Jpdy, Loveialy: Jody, you make a seductive case for Venice My concern about Venice at that time of year is not just the rain (I'm from Ireland) or the cold (everything is relative and I survived 20 winters in Toronto - yeucchhh)its the flooding! However, I know there is so much to see there (all I managed to do on my day trips was walk and walk, I was just so emotionally overwhelmed with the city). I'll check out the flooding issue ...
I notice there is a thread on crime in Naples ... gotta have a look at that! Pompeii is of course a huge draw for me.
Yes LoveItaly, I have moved from Toronto to beautiful Victoria BC on Vancouver Island. I've only been here 10 days but already adore it. It feels unreal, like being on permanent holiday.
regards Ger
My concern about Venice at that time of year is not just the rain (I'm from Ireland) or the cold (everything is relative and I survived 20 winters in Toronto - yeucchhh)its the flooding! However, I know there is so much to see there (all I managed to do on my day trips was walk and walk, I was just so emotionally overwhelmed with the city). I'll check out the flooding issue ...I notice there is a thread on crime in Naples ... gotta have a look at that! Pompeii is of course a huge draw for me.
Yes LoveItaly, I have moved from Toronto to beautiful Victoria BC on Vancouver Island. I've only been here 10 days but already adore it. It feels unreal, like being on permanent holiday.
regards Ger
Dec 29th, 2004, 03:14 PM
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Ger, to live in Victoria - lucky you!!!
Like being on a vacation for sure.
About Naples, yes there is crime but basically in the outer poor suburbs.
If you flew to Naples, and spent your few days there enjoying the fantastic city of Naples you should be fine. Taking the normal percautions that any sensible traveling woman takes of course.
And it should be warmer.
BTW. May I suggest you go to Yahoo.com.
Click on news. It is on the right, about half way down. Than when you get to that page in the upper right under search type in "Italy". You will get all kind of news regarding Italy including Naples. Might help you make a decision.
I would not suggest Naples to someone who really does not travel but you have so much I feel you would be fine. Just don't leave your wallet/money/creditcards in your room as in France
. I felt so bad for you when I read that post.
Let us know what you decide.
Like being on a vacation for sure.
About Naples, yes there is crime but basically in the outer poor suburbs.
If you flew to Naples, and spent your few days there enjoying the fantastic city of Naples you should be fine. Taking the normal percautions that any sensible traveling woman takes of course.
And it should be warmer.
BTW. May I suggest you go to Yahoo.com.
Click on news. It is on the right, about half way down. Than when you get to that page in the upper right under search type in "Italy". You will get all kind of news regarding Italy including Naples. Might help you make a decision.
I would not suggest Naples to someone who really does not travel but you have so much I feel you would be fine. Just don't leave your wallet/money/creditcards in your room as in France
. I felt so bad for you when I read that post.Let us know what you decide.
