I need this wonderful community's help me to get excited about a destination. I had to give up a long trip to the Far East for various reasons and that has thrown me into severe travel doldrums. The cure is a week or so somewhere in Europe.
When: any time until the end of February
Weather: mild. No snow, no below freezing temps.
Interests: culture, history, local color, love museums
Not: Spain, Greece or Hungary (been recently or planning to go later in 2017)
Chani,
Have you considered Portugal? The temperatures should still be reasonably warm in January, and it should tick most of the boxes on your list. I was in Lisbon and Porto in September and quite enjoyed it there.
Chani, so sorry that you're sad about giving up your Far East trip. Ken's idea of Portugal sounds great. And I firmly believe that a week or so somewhere in Europe is a cure to just about anything!
Chani, where haven't you been??!!
You could pick a region in Southern Italy...
Malta?
Puglia or Calabria, Italy?
Chani, were it me I would fly off to the south of France. Weather: warmish ....... museums: lots ....... local colour: yes indeed .......
Plus good food, markets, cheap local bus and train transportation between towns.
I agree with the ideas of Portugal and southern France.
I know you've said Rome isn't your favorite city (it's one of mine), but maybe a return trip, in the off season, will change your mind? It certainly meets all of your other criteria. You could also spend a few days in Naples - love it or hate it, the stimulation is incredible.
I haven't been to Puglia, Calabria, or Basilicata, and I don't know if you have, but since you've been to Sicily, you may want to go to these less visited parts of Italy.
I know Cyprus is close to Israel so you may already have been, but if not, that should also be warm.
I was going to say the French Riviera until I saw Harold brought up Naples. There's lots to do in Nice and environs and it is beautiful, but I'd love to spend a week in Naples... So now I'm not sure. If relaxation is in order go to Nice. If energy is in order, go to Naples.
Agree with Norma about the South of France. A week or so there should cure your doldrums rather well.
Chani: Portugal was delightful in September last year in the Algarve and Lisbon. For a week to 10 days you could spend some time in the Algarve (History: early explorer/navigators) - Visit Sagres and explore the area where the early navigators learned to get around the world. If you are pretty active and like to hike, try the coastal trails of Rota Vicentina. I wasn't able to to this on my trip, but if someone else had encouraged me or if I went with a group, definitely would have taken one of these trails. Lisbon has a lot to keep you busy, not just museums but getting around is fun: funicular, cable cars. The aquarium is world class. I loved the public art in Lisbon too.
Hard decisions here. My vote is for Portugal.
Linda
Visited Ukraine about a month ago. Outstanding trip. returning in 2017.
Why don't you just go to Google Flights, put in Tel Aviv as the start and "Europe" as the destination, then choose One Way and Non Stop: and set a max price for what ever your budget will accept and see what pops up. You can scroll through by dates and see the options at various times of the week and times of the year.
Oh, James. If only it was that easy. I can fly just about anywhere in Europe for $300-$500, so that's not even a factor. The problem is finding somewhere in December-January-February that has decent weather and isn't "closed for the season."
MrsEB, I was delighted with your suggestion and, in fact, I'm planning on spending a few days up in the Galilee maybe a couple down in the Negev. February is one of my favorite months in Israel. If we get some winter rain, the countryside will be green and lush and the wildflowers will be everywhere.
Ken and Linda. While Portugal is high on my list, I am leery of planning a trip there in January/February. I suspect it will be chilly and rainy, and wonder if I'd have a similar experience to yours. I have heard that the Algarve virtually shuts down in winter, as far as tourist attractions.
Harold. I've only been to Rome in February! But to you and especially Zoe, I love Italy. I just don't know where to go. I'd fly in/out of Rome. I've been to Sorrento with day trips to Pompeii and Ercolano. Didn't get to explore Naples, only the archaeology museum, which I'd happily return to. North of Rome: been to Orvieto, Assisi, Firenze, Bologna (with day trips) and don't want to venture farther north. I understand the Amalfi towns are pretty much shut down in winter.
Norma, Wray, and TC. Southern France is tempting too and I just found out I can fly non-stop to Marseille. I do wonder if January/February is a good time to go. I did a little research - seems that western Provence can be quite cold because of the mistrals and it's better to visit the eastern side. Someone said Carnival is a good time to be in Nice.
Oh dear, I feel the kid-in-the-candy-shop syndrome kicking in. It just occurred to me that I could fly into Marseille, then Easy Jet Nice-to-Naples and fly home from Rome.
I like that itinerary Chani! Marseille to Nice to Naples--then home from Rome! I think you have a plan!
Chani, I love it! I've always wanted to go to Marseille, but haven't made it yet. Marseille, Nice, Naples. Wonderful. I need to consider this route for the future. Wray
PS, I was in Nice in January quite a few years ago. It was sweater weather...perfect weather, IMO.
Chani, some friends and I spent a week in late February in Nice. That included Carnival and what a perfect time to be there, such fun! It was fabulous weather but then I am from Colorado where Februarys aren't quite so temperate. We loved our time there. I think your idea of including Naples and Marseilles is an excellent one. I know you'll have a terrific time no matter where you decide to go.
Another vote for the south of France. Or Italy. Those would be my two choices.
My favorite Carnevale (OK, I've only been to a couple) is in Ivrea, Italy, with three days of orange battles, but snow is a possibility. Eight hours by train from Nice or 6 from Venice.
Going to suggest something a bit out of the box.... what about somewhere in the Caribbean? Nassau in the Bahamas, or may be Grand Cayman, or the US Virgin Islands? Warm, not too crowded, and definitely a change in atmosphere.
"what about somewhere in the Caribbean? Nassau in the Bahamas, or may be Grand Cayman, or the US Virgin Islands?"
If travelling in that part of the world, be sure to consider Zika or Chikungunya and take appropriate precautions.
Since you're thinking about the Nice area, consider Menton - which is supposed to have the best February weather of anyplace around, as I recall - big lemon festival there that month. And somebody says they have sunshine 331 days of the year (take it with a grain of salt, I think!). We were there in October and just on a day trip but definitely would like to return. Cocteau museum is quite interesting.
