Long Week-end in Europe- Oct/Nov
 

Looking for suggestions for a long week-end in Oct/Nov. Once a year I've done trip where I leave Thurs nite, have Fri, Sat, and Sun to explore a city, and I come back on Monday.

I've gone to Paris, London, Prague, and Rome with a few girlfriends this way. It's enough time to see the city, but not too much togetherness time. I've already been to Dublin, Florence and Southern France on longer trips.

Now there are some Europe fare sales, and thinking of going again. I love exploring new places! Any comments on the following cities (in terms of safety/hassle of getting around, cost, historical significance, friendlieness factor, etc).

--Moscow
--Istanbul
--Athens
--Madrid
--Lisbon

--Any others?

Comments on these cities? I've heard Moscow is terribly expensive and Athens is a little dirty.

Many thanks!

I like Athens, but I'm not sure I'd pick that time of year to go.

If art museums and shopping are important, as well as great food and wine, Madrid is a great destination.

I've never been to Lisbon, but it appeals to me as a possible autumn destination, but I've never seriously explored the rain factor.

Istanbul is great, but you have to be in the mood for something slightly more challenging.

Moscow? Not that time of year for me.

Actually, now that I realize you are going late October, I would consider Athens at that time. But when you say "it's dirty" it makes me think you'd rather be in certifiably first world capitals -- in which case I would drop Istanbul from the list, too.

Central Athens never recovered from World War II, and then a second injury was inflicted with wild overbuilding. It's dense and heavily trafficked, and probably a short weekend isn't enough time to discover the best bits (the Kolonaki district) and you need to be heavily interested in classical Greece to have it get to you (like it does me).

Where are you starting from and how long are you willing to travel to get your destination? How well do you do with jetlag and time changes? (A long weekend isn't much time to adjust before it's over.) Is this short list based on attractive fares or your own interests?

For what it's worth, I'd pick Lisbon from this list.

I was in Lisbon the first week of November last year and the weather was beautiful. Sunny and warm.
Lisbon was a wonderful city to explore for a few days. Haven't been to Moscow, but think Lisbon would be far friendlier than there....

Thanks for the info so far.

Yeah- I am in my 30s and have done this times before, so jet lag isn't an issue. I'm pretty adventurous. Climbed Kilimanjaro. Went on Safari in Tanzania. Did Costa Rica with my hubby on our own (renting a car)- had our passports stolen- that was an adventure!

Wasn't sure if Athens was more like Rome- just big and busy, or more like Naples- big, busy, and just a little run down, if you will. Same with Madrid. I'm from Michigan, so don't really care if Moscow is cold if it would be a great and interesting experience.

More comments? :)

Thanks!

Madrid is a lot closer than Athens! But if you call Rome "just big and busy" my guess is that you will find Madrid to be the same! Barcelona might be a good choice for you...

What about Venice? Or Milan? (the latter is "big and busy," though) Berlin??

Do you care if you have to change planes?

Personally if I were going for that short a time (not likely) I would choose a destination that would not entail jet lag. Buenos Aires. Mexico City. Quito.

I have been to some of the cities that you list (Istanbul, Lisbon, Madrid). Of those, I liked Lisbon most, but it is difficult in a short post to explain it well.

Budapest, in my opinion, is always worth considering, and so is Vienna.

I have reports on some of those trips at http://www.iol.ie/%7edraoi .

Lisbon or Barcelona !

Hi yooper,

if you liked Prague, then you'll probably like Budapest, but it doesn't have quite the charm.

IMO Madrid is nothing like as "busy" as Rome, but has nothing like the things to see either - which ironically makes it quite a good choice for a weekend trip. there are very nice restaurants, good nightlife, great tapas bars, more shops than you could possibly need - of t heplaces I've been it would be my choice.

but I've never been to BCN, which might be even nicer.

or if you want to shop, Milan might fit the bill.

regards, ann

I've sort of been assuming that the list of cities is driven by air fare sales, as mentioned in the previous post.

---Moscow No
--Istanbul Chilly but wonderful
--Athens Chilly, smoggy and ok
--Madrid Chillier but very approachable
--Lisbon More likely to be warmer, very approachable and if all else fails good trains to visit othre places.

Suggest Lisbon

Thanks for the info so far! Yeah, we are coming from the East Coast, so not a long flight (as compared to California).

Of the cities on your list, Lisbon seems the most appealing.

Others that come to mind (and are likely to be reached by direct flight [no plane changes] from the East Coast) include:

Munich
Amsterdam
Duesseldorf
Copenhagen
Reykjavik (it will be dark early, but that wouldn't be a deal breaker for me)
Berlin

Amsterdam would be a nice long weekend. The good thing is that you don't spend much time getting from the airport to city, so you get more out of the first day. It is very compact, and it was much prettier than I thought it would be. I do a lot of long weekend trips, and, although I was in Amsterdam for a longer time than that, I would consider it for short trip.

Lisbon is a nice bite-sized city for the purpose...we had a very interesting and atmospheric hotel stay at the Hotel Avenida Palace.

Centrally located and full of history, mahoghany, crystal and romance-Portugal was technically neutral during WWII and this is where all the spies stayed!

Plus all the best 'fado' clubs are just down the street...

OOPS, forgot to post the link to that hotel...my version is in Portuguese, but you can probably figure out how to convert languages...
www.hotel-avenida-palace.pt

Barcelona? I had seen direct flights from NYC when I was checking out earlier this summer.

Thx! Maybe Lisbon is the way to go.

Any comments on Athens?

How badly do you want to see the Acropolis?

Unless the answer is very badly, you are flying a very long way to visit a jam-packed city with a completely different alphabet that is best enjoyed when it's warm enough to indulge in its outdoor cafe life between gorging on classic Greek art and Minoan culture -- one of the most beautiful in human creation, but you have to be in the mood.