City break in January

We went to Bruges in January for my wife's 40th and stayed at the Hotel Orangerie on the canal.

It was a wonderful few days. The hotel is superb and totally central.

G

Jamie, it's slightly off the wall, but Venice in January is rather beautiful, especially if there's snow around.

Added bonus is that there are no tourists about, so you practically have the pace to yourself.

+1 Bruges.

A photographer of your calibre should have a field day. Even I managed to take a few good photos.

Yes Bruges is on our to do list, wasn't sure about January though? I'll add it on to the list.

Good thinnking Kevin, probably less smelly too. I'll add that to the list too!

It was crisp and bright the January we went Jamie. Some lovely restaurants and chocolatiers as well as a photo opportunity on every street!

G

Rome. Rome. Wonderful, awesome.

Florence would get my vote. Even in January, when it can be wet, it is a beautiful photogenic city with so much culture.

Scandinavia is lovely for a short break in the Winter - try Bergen in Norway (although it rains quite a lot), Copenhagen Stockholm or Helsinki.

In Helsinki there is a wonderful hotel right by the harbour, called the Haven and it's a great city to just mooch about in for a few days.

If you want something a bit warmer, why not try Madeira? It's lovely in January and there is plenty to do over a long weekend.

Can't go wrong with Italy. I particularly like the Le Marche region on the adriatic side. Beautiful landscapes and hidden historical sites. Whatever you decide, I wish you both a wonderful time.

Some good suggestions chaps. Just got back form the Del Sol and Malaga is nice, but too soon! We like Madeira too, last holidayed there a couple of years back though. So that's off the list too. I would quite like to go to Scandinavia/Iceland, the further North not really her cup of tea though. Yes, the Adriatic is a possibility but I wonder if we'd rather a longer time. I'm now thinking Sorrento or somewhere on Amalfi maybe? It's about 10-12 years since we went and both loved it. Though we went in August and Naples was shut. The more I think about it, Italy seems suitable perhaps. Never actually been to Rome...

Rome in the winter is a good option. Not super cold, and less crowded. The Amalfi Coast is also nice, and nearly deserted by tourists. Very laid back. Not so good for swimming that time of the year, though. I found it interesting to see the renovations and building going on. The use of donkeys in Positano to transport materials through the steep and narrow lanes. Much is closed, but there's enough open to not be caught out. As I said, laid back, but just as pretty as in the summer.

Florence , Vienna and Amsterdam have all been wonderful weekend breaks for me,

Florence is like Rome but more compact like Barcelona . Vienna is very similar but not as pretty, but has better Art . Amsterdam has it all.

Prague is a great place in winter and very picturesque

Agreed, although it can be fiendishly cold. The freezing fog isn't quite as bad as it used to be, they've cleaned up their emissions recently, so the smog that sits over the valley isn't as thick.

Yes, I agree.  And I found that it's quite a compact city enabling much of it to be covered on foot.

If you’re after an emission free cold climate Copenhagen is the place to go.

I visited a few weeks ago and noticed drivers, when stopping at a traffic light turned off the engine.

London should try something similar, walking around the centre at rush hour is not pleasant, unless you like breathing a disgusting, choking concoction of vehicle fumes.

I wouldn't call Barcelona compact, in the way Florence and Rome are, but the public transport system is very good.

Krakow is great but not in winter I suspect. Also easy access to Auschwitz and salt mines.

Plenty to see in Rome, not sure what weather would be like in January though.

How about Granada, Spain?

Rome,Jamie.

Happy birthday darling!

G

I once spent a month in Krakow. The month was November. I don't think I've ever been so cold. Lord knows what it'd be like in January.

I would echo Wat's suggestion of Reykavik .. specifically the Hotel 101 downtown within walking distance of everywhere .. great bar and food too .. not too long a flight from the UK.

My strong advice, FWIW...  don't go anywhere you've been before.   Make new 'magic' on this trip   

PS - hope you both have a wonderful time.