I want to surprise my husband for his 50th with a 5 night trip over Columbus Day weekend...Fri night to Wed. I am looking for a good place to go. We did four nights in Paris for our honeymoon and 4 nights in Nice and loved both, so I am sure that we can make the most of 5 nights. We love to people watch, eat, drink, swim, ride bikes and not be wedded to an itinerary. Any ideas?
I have wanted to hit spain, italy, sardinia, corsica, croatia etc, but am wary considering the migrant crisis. Thanks!
Posted by
Seattle
4637 posts
Any of the countries and islands you named would be good. Still warm in October. I would stay off certain Greek islands close to Turkish coast. Elsewhere you probably won't see migrants.
Posted by
Brisbane, Australia
7175 posts
Five nights includes air travel ?
I would think Barcelona or Rome for your entire stay. Your limited time and the logistics involved would not make Corsica, Sardinia or Croatia worthwhile.
Posted by
Tel Aviv
15576 posts
Where can you fly to, non-stop? I wouldn't want to spend 1/2 day or more in a European airport on arrival or departure waiting for a connecting flight to get to a location with only 5 nights on the ground.
If you want nice beaches, Barcelona.
Posted by
3240 posts
What about Amsterdam? It's not on your hit list, but it is a great place to people watch, eat, drink, ride bikes, and to just wander around - but there are some wonderful sights to see as well. Not so much for swimming.
Posted by
Washington, DC
205 posts
We live on the east coast and my husband and I love taking long weekends to visit a European city. We frequently go over Thanksgiving weekend or between Christmas and New Year. Our recent trips have included Amsterdam, Istanbul and, most recently, Copenhagen. All are non-stop overnight flights for us and all were great trips.
Posted by
San Francisco Bay Area
5697 posts
Spain is wonderful but ... what we call Columbus Day is Spain Day there. Hotels in Seville were booked solid for weekend nights when we arrived in 2008. Once we had a place, it was great.
Posted by
OP
31 posts
We live on the east coast and I'm not looking to spend too much time on a plane. I'm narrowing down to Amsterdam, Barcelona and Venice. This may be our last kid free vaca for some time. I haven't been to Amsterdam or Venice for a good 30 years. I was fascinated by Venice but Amsterdam not so much.
Posted by
Brisbane, Australia
7175 posts
October could mean a coat (and umbrella) in Amsterdam, but only shirt sleeves in Barcelona. Food for thought (well food would be a thought for me too).
Posted by
Forest Grove, OR
11300 posts
If you can get to Venice non-stop, it's a lovely place in October and 5 nights is a very nice stay. Plenty of time to wander, go to the Laguna islands, etc.
Posted by
Vernon, Canada
32198 posts
cindy,
With only a very short 5 nights, I'd suggest looking at places that will be the quickest to get to from your home location, so that you don't use an excessive amount of time getting there and back. I wouldn't be too concerned about the "migrant crisis" as I doubt that will impact your trip in the least.
My suggestion would be to pick one location in either Italy or Spain (ie: Rome or Barcelona) and stay there the entire time, with a few day trips. I'm partial to Italy so that would be my choice.
Posted by
Magyarország / Rep of Texas
17859 posts
Istanbul ....
Posted by
Tel Aviv
15576 posts
Weather is likely to be pleasantly warm or even hot in mid-October. Venice and Barcelona are both excellent destinations. There's a lot to see and do in Barcelona. I don't think you'd be unhappy with either choice. Maybe choose the one that has the better flight times.
Posted by
Washington DC Region, USA
7049 posts
Iceland is perfect for a short trip assuming you can catch Iceland Air and don't mind it getting dark early (they're still plenty to do in Reykjavik and elsewhere). If not Iceland, then Istanbul...you'll get good weather there and Turkish Air can't be beat on price.