European destinations
So, in exchange for cat- and house-sitting for my best friend over the next three months, she's offered to send 12 year-old daughter and I on holiday somewhere within an hour or two's flight. Yes, she's a bloody superstar!

I tell you this because I'd like recommendations for places we could go.

We're not beach bunnies but wouldn't be averse to a couple of days sunning and sea. We're both active and quite adventurous, enjoying walking, horses, boating, fishing, camping etc. Great countryside is a bonus, nice people, food, etc always good.

Any suggestions, you well-travelled lot?

Edit: you're all dead sexy. Thanks!
( Noeli overtheshoulderboulderholderthingstraplatchboobs, Tue 19 May 2009, 9:55, 40 replies, latest was 16 years ago)

Rome
I am biased as I'm a Classics graduate but Rome is incredible.

The variety of things to see and do - from the Forum etc and the medieval artisan district - to dining in out-of-the-way rural restaurants or a day trip to Pompeii - is simply superb.
( Monty Boyce, My cheese game is strong, Tue 19 May 2009, 10:06, Reply)

We've discussed going somewhere with wonderful history
and decided wandering around a city wasn't for us, this time. Good call, though.
( Noeli overtheshoulderboulderholderthingstraplatchboobs, Tue 19 May 2009, 10:17, Reply)

Wait until Winter
Fly to Grenoble. Ski in Chamrousse.
( Captain V, Tue 19 May 2009, 10:07, Reply)

I suggest Copenhagen
It's just about thawed out by now. Great theme park in the middle of the city, the country side is amazing for walking and activities. The people are all lovely, there are some good beaches not too far away. Sweden is a very quick train ride away for a bit of a change (Malmö and Lund are two very lovely places).

Also, if you were to go when I'm there this summer, I'd be more than happy to take you out for a meal.
(Potty Jag har smör i min rumpspringa, Tue 19 May 2009, 10:07, Reply)

Ah cool! :)
Not entirely sure when - we're sitting til the end of August, so it might not even be until next spring, but Scandanavia had already popped up due to the possibility of seeing the Northern Lights, but also for the reasons you mention.
( Noeli overtheshoulderboulderholderthingstraplatchboobs, Tue 19 May 2009, 10:10, Reply)

Whenever you go (if you go!), there is a chance I'll be there
I tend to spend one weekend in four/five out there.
(Potty Jag har smör i min rumpspringa, Tue 19 May 2009, 12:22, Reply)

I'll bear that in mind.
Cheers!
( Noeli overtheshoulderboulderholderthingstraplatchboobs, Tue 19 May 2009, 13:51, Reply)

V. expensive though
If you want to be kind to your friend and not make her pay a fortune. Denmark costs a bomb.
(The Apeface Cherub is not a cunty-uber-cunt, Tue 19 May 2009, 13:53, Reply)

That's why I've limited us to two hours on a plane
to keep costs down. I don't want her to have to spend too much, so cheap and cheerful is good.
( Noeli overtheshoulderboulderholderthingstraplatchboobs, Tue 19 May 2009, 13:55, Reply)

Another vote for
Denmark/Sweden.

Paris: Architecture, atmosphere, food.

Barcelona: Weather, stuff to visit/see/do.

Naples/Sorrento: Weather, gorgeous scenery, Capri (Island off the coast), Amalfi coast
(Ethelred is watching cheese grow, Tue 19 May 2009, 10:12, Reply)

Bucharest is awesome too
Although may be just outside the 2 hour flight.

If you like Ashes to Ashes, then you'll love it. Bucharest is it in real life, London in the 80s!
(Ethelred is watching cheese grow, Tue 19 May 2009, 10:13, Reply)

I used to DJ out there a lot
Great place but I found the food *challenging* and I'll eat pretty much anything bar bollocks/cocks.
( Monty Boyce, My cheese game is strong, Tue 19 May 2009, 10:16, Reply)

Prague is awesome.
Very awesome indeed.
Although if you go to Portugal, BE CAREFUL.
( Cawl, Tue 19 May 2009, 10:10, Reply)

Understood!
Why is Prague awesome? I need details man!
( Noeli overtheshoulderboulderholderthingstraplatchboobs, Tue 19 May 2009, 10:11, Reply)

It's the only place in the world
Where adults get kidnapped and molested by children.
( Captain V, Tue 19 May 2009, 10:11, Reply)

Haha!
No but seriously why the love for Prague?
( whenanimalsattackhumans clad in global hypercolour, Tue 19 May 2009, 10:15, Reply)

It's architecurally superb
and filled with dorty hoo-ers
( Monty Boyce, My cheese game is strong, Tue 19 May 2009, 10:17, Reply)

Shut it, catface!
Prague is awesome because you can spend a good few days wandering around the place. Lots of walking, loads of amazing buildings, good food and pretty cheap hotels.
I was there for a week, and it cost me, including flights, a four-star hotel, decent restaurants, lots of drinking and a visit to a knife shop, under £400.
You could do it a LOT cheaper than that too.
( Cawl, Tue 19 May 2009, 10:17, Reply)

much as it kills me inside
I agree with averageKaol, Prague is an awesome city
(Halfy By light alone, Tue 19 May 2009, 10:22, Reply)

Afraid to say it
I used to live (and still own a flat) in Prague.

Architecturally, the place is wonderful - and one can obtain a real sense of late 20thC history from it; google the Velvet Revolution - the only time in history when a country has gone from one form of government to another without a shot being fired.
(Eds Meds Mathskillz=1,Socialskillz=0, Tue 19 May 2009, 11:56, Reply)

We need to talk!
I'd love to move to Prague..
( whenanimalsattackhumans clad in global hypercolour, Tue 19 May 2009, 12:26, Reply)

Galway
grand wee town (city according to the locals) with plenty to do and heaps of culture, restaurants, family friendly tourist stuff and best of all, you're an hours ferry from the Arann islands which are fab, craggy, car-free, entirely bike-able and the weather isnt half bad this time of year either.

If you dont fancy the ferry, you can hire a car and drive the length of Irelands west coast north to Donegal or south to Kerry which if you google image, you'll see is awfully pretty indeed.

check out aerarann.com or aerlingus.com

rafter
baz


ps - keeping in mind also, that most of us speak English over here :)
(bazmorningstar efil4nat3b, Tue 19 May 2009, 10:16, Reply)

I was going to mention oirland.
But that's only because I want to go there.
( girlinthehole, Tue 19 May 2009, 10:26, Reply)

come on, so!
I'll be waiting for ya with me pint o' de black stuff and me shillelagh!
(bazmorningstar efil4nat3b, Tue 19 May 2009, 10:29, Reply)

I'm working on it : )
.
( girlinthehole, Tue 19 May 2009, 10:33, Reply)

Go,
Galway is a great city. (Its a big city to me anyway coming from a state in the us where the number of people just outnumbered cows in the last 20 years).
(MichaelS wasn't picked again, Tue 19 May 2009, 12:51, Reply)

I wanna go too
but we want some better weather than our fair location can offers most of the year.
( Noeli overtheshoulderboulderholderthingstraplatchboobs, Tue 19 May 2009, 10:31, Reply)

yeah but I've written the most so far
so you're kind of obligated now.

And I've booked you into Aunty Bridies' B+B. Felim is warming up the tractor to take you on the potato tour and de brudr has the donkeys saddled for safari.
(bazmorningstar efil4nat3b, Tue 19 May 2009, 10:38, Reply)

Heheh
How could I possibly resist a potato tour?

I'm packing my wellies right now.
( Noeli overtheshoulderboulderholderthingstraplatchboobs, Tue 19 May 2009, 10:40, Reply)

wellies is for Englishmen and genteel women
Tis a strong pair of brogues you'll be needin' if you want to blend in.
(bazmorningstar efil4nat3b, Tue 19 May 2009, 10:45, Reply)

You're doing nothing
to dispel Irish stereotypes :)
( Noeli overtheshoulderboulderholderthingstraplatchboobs, Tue 19 May 2009, 10:47, Reply)

How about good old Minorca?
It has unbelievable beaches so grab a book and suncream and whittle those hours away in luxury.

Also some pretty good restaurants.
( whenanimalsattackhumans clad in global hypercolour, Tue 19 May 2009, 10:21, Reply)

We've considered one of the islands out that way
cos they can provide much of what we like in a small-ish package. They're a possibility.
( Noeli overtheshoulderboulderholderthingstraplatchboobs, Tue 19 May 2009, 10:30, Reply)

Sounds like you want to go on holiday in a Tampax advert...

*is empowered*
( Naked Ape call me Caitlyn, Tue 19 May 2009, 10:57, Reply)

^ Ha!
*chortles*



*rollerskates with dalmatians*
( Monty Boyce, My cheese game is strong, Tue 19 May 2009, 11:00, Reply)

Ahaha
We ARE looking at five to seven days!
( Noeli overtheshoulderboulderholderthingstraplatchboobs, Tue 19 May 2009, 11:14, Reply)

I've heard very good things about Slovenia
Off the beaten track, not too touristy, and good and mountainous so excellent for walking. Also good horseriding, if you're into that.
( jim_bob can herd cats., Tue 19 May 2009, 11:25, Reply)

Been there!
Did a long weekend in Ljubljana with mates. During the days we did the castle and some museums and the street market - almost picked up a "with grateful thanks" paperweight given to volunteers at the Eurovision Song Contest 1983.

In the evenings we got hammered on strong lager.

Seriously nice place.
( The Light in Chains don't touch the Pope's boner, Tue 19 May 2009, 13:18, Reply)

What do you mean 'almost'?!
You missed out on a bobby dazzler there!
( Noeli overtheshoulderboulderholderthingstraplatchboobs, Tue 19 May 2009, 13:54, Reply)

I'm biased cos I live there
But I recommend The Mighty Spain.

I live on the South-East coast and you've got Barcelona (jewel in Spain's crown), Valencia, the islands to the East (Mallorca and Menorca), and to the south wonderful history in places like Granada. Don't bother with Madrid cos it's shite and far too stuffy-hot in Summer. If you pick my option, I'll help you :)

I live in the Valencian Community, to the South of Alicante. Also a top area with loads to see and do (natural waterfalls to bathe in, sun and sea, home of the paella, Valencia city, Ciudad de Arte y Ciencias (Science and Arts City) which is like some kind of futuristic egg-shaped wonder park, etc etc. It's also a day-trip away from Granada, with the amazing Alhambra and the home of real Spanish tapas (buy a beer, get some free food!).

The Mighty Spain! Do it!
(The Apeface Cherub is not a cunty-uber-cunt, Tue 19 May 2009, 13:59, Reply)