Weekend Visits Abroad?

[Macman]

I've been thinking for some time; would like to take a flight Fri night to various places

- Rome
- Madrid [Hala Madrid]
- Russia
- Italy
- Germany
- Spain
- Portugal etc

Has anyone done this? It would only be weekend visits; take in cultural/historic findings/places; photography. Not a drinking person per se.

Any things I should be aware of? Pro/Cons?

P.s. I flew to Austria for Ski-ing trip but was organised by School. And flew to Las americas once but was arranged by Aunt & Uncle. lol

[Guy]

I've done it a few times to various places within Europe. Never had any issues that I can recall.

Only thing I try and do is not be on the last flight back on Sunday. Just as a precaution in cause I get held up/the flight is cancelled/the list goes on. Either that or have an understanding boss!

[Macman]

How does it work out financially? Generally speaking, getting a cheap single ticket to Italy/Spain can be cheap; but whats the returns like?

[Guy]

I found it usually works out better just to get a return ticket, although my last trip was only a day thing.

Just put some dates/places into flight search engines, and see what prices look like. Should give you a rough indication.

[Macman]

Any cities you recommend worth visiting?

[Smudger]

I haven't done the plane, but I've done Eurostar to Bruges on a Friday evening, and back on a Sunday. To be honest, Bruges is a bit far for a Friday night, you have to go to Brussells, then get a local train up there. We didn't arrive until about 10/11pm. Coming back was fine. So, if you're going to Eurostar it, go during the day to Bruges, or if you can't get the time off work, only go as far as Brussells...

[MadduckUK]

Done it with Dusseldorf once and Amsterdam a few times, Amsterdam FTW TBH, was a sad day when they stopped flights from Blackpool.

[kalniel]

Fly to Pisa - town centre is a short bus trip from the airport. Lots to see, great restaurants, cheap hotels you can book by just walking in on the day, several other nice towns within easy train distance too if you manage to get bored of Pisa.

[shaithis]

Russia, don't fly Aeroeflop if you can help it.....

[Macman]

Fly to Pisa - town centre is a short bus trip from the airport. Lots to see, great restaurants, cheap hotels you can book by just walking in on the day, several other nice towns within easy train distance too if you manage to get bored of Pisa.

Think I'll have a look into this one. Thanks man

[TheAnimus]

Done a fair few places on the list.

www.Kayak.co.uk using their weekend thingie is normally what I'll do. In the last couple of years I've done

Iceland
Beligum
Netherlands,
France,
Spance,
Portugal,
Italy,
Poland

As weekend breaks, Belgium / Netherlands I often do cycling long weekends, great fun, and weed helps if you've overdone it.

I've spent too much time in Germany to rush back.

Never had any problems, but then I always bring a phrase book if I'm not in Germany.

The trick is just finding somewhere thats good with the weather for the time of year, better yet which has an event on, and is cheap to fly too. It's real easy and you should make use of your Shengan!

[Domestic_Ginger]

Prague (beer and character), Naples (food and hospitality) and Lisbon (food and hospitatility, theme going here) were really good. Would like to see Budapest.

Was not so impressed by Barcelona and Brussels.

If you are going away you can get guide books like lonely planet or rough guide. Libraries are a good place to look as they have loads of them.

[Macman]

Done a fair few places on the list.

www.Kayak.co.uk using their weekend thingie is normally what I'll do. In the last couple of years I've done

Iceland
Beligum
Netherlands,
France,
Spance,
Portugal,
Italy,
Poland

As weekend breaks, Belgium / Netherlands I often do cycling long weekends, great fun, and weed helps if you've overdone it.

I've spent too much time in Germany to rush back.

Never had any problems, but then I always bring a phrase book if I'm not in Germany.

The trick is just finding somewhere thats good with the weather for the time of year, better yet which has an event on, and is cheap to fly too. It's real easy and you should make use of your Shengan!

Thanks mate, Iceland? I wouldn't mind checking out Reiky whatever the hell the name of the city is; can't pronounce it nor spell it lol. All I know CCP HQ's (EVE Online) are based there lol.

Was not so impressed by Barcelona and Brussels.

Suprised at that... Generally Barcelona has been voted as one of the most top cities to see, is it not?

[Domestic_Ginger]

Food was okay on the whole and the beer passable. Friends of ours who live in Barcelona took us out to a very nice restaurant which was really good. I easily can have too much of Gaudi and I can not help feeling sad every time I see his work. He was killed by a tram and no one could identify him. And now his name is used and revered throughout the city. But on the whole I think its just because they are so bloody rude.

[TheAnimus]

Thanks mate, Iceland? I wouldn't mind checking out Reiky whatever the hell the name of the city is; can't pronounce it nor spell it lol. All I know CCP HQ's (EVE Online) are based there lol.

Yes I was going to write Country: City, but then I realised I couldn't spell it and cba to google it.

Its a great place to spend 3/4 days. I went in March a couple of years ago, and got a cracking view of the Northern lights considering the short time I had to see them.

I've never really had a problem when taking weekend breaks, the trick is to never get too drunk, and know the local customs, it's hard to find somewhere thats a 1.5 hour flight which is unsafe....

I just realised I missed out eastern europe and scandonavia from my list.

But anyway, keep looking on kayak or opodo or whichever is best right now and check it every few days, some blinding deals come up, my Easter trip is direct to Vietnam for only £400 return....

[Macman]

Its a great place to spend 3/4 days. I went in March a couple of years ago, and got a cracking view of the Northern lights

Jealous! I'd love to see them, always something that has fascinated me!

Vietnam for only £400 return....

Bargain!