On Monday I asked all of you for help. We are trying to decide which European city to visit over Easter weekend in 2014. I was surprised by all the responses. It’s always fun to hear about places to travel and I love the blogging community and their willingness to help. So far the top contenders are:
Rome
Florence
Bruges
Edinburgh
Budapest
Dublin
It’s not too late to offer your suggestion. The final deciding factor will probably be money. I haven’t priced the trips yet so if you know an amazing European city that isn’t too far from London and is relatively inexpensive, let me know. Or let me know if one of the cities above is an absolute must. I have to admit, Rome sounds pretty exciting. How cool would it be to see all of the festivities surrounding the holiday?
Again, thanks for all of your help. You guys are the best!
50 Year Project 
Bruges is cute 🙂 Waffles!!!!
I like waffles!
Yey!
Bruge is also very photogenic…
That’s another plus!
…albeit not as exciting as my latest cat post! 😉
It’s hard to out do a cat.
Don’t let Miles hear you say that!
Att tells him everyday, and if Miles doesn’t listen, he pummels Miles. Then Miles waits for Att to fall asleep to seek revenge.
Sounds like a healthy family dynamic to me!
I agree!
Yay! Bruges was my suggestion too!
PS I also heard that Ghent is a fabulous and underrated city. It’s like Bruges but without the tourists. Anyone can confirm that?
No tourists would be nice. Not that I hate tourist–I am one, of course. But some cities are crawling with them and it’s hard to get the local experience.
I’ve been to Ghent, and it’s nice, but not very special. I was visiting a friend who lived there at the time and I liked it, but I wouldn’t make it my main destination for a weekend break. Bruges or Antwerp are infinitely more charming.
Good to know. I love saying Antwerp!
Whatever gets you going first thing in the morning…
First thing this morning I was breaking up a potential cat fight in my garden. Att doesn’t like having “visitors” dropping in to say hi. Last time I rushed out there to rescue Att but scared him. he turned and beat the heck out of me. I even got a bloody nose. My own cat!
Oh no! Keep whispering the words “Antwerp” and “cattery” to him. That’ll teach the little bugger.
Are you kidding? I’m too scared to threaten him. He has a great left-hook! And the scratches on my face finally healed.
I’ve new-found respect for Miles. Not for you, though.
Yeah, it did some damage to my ego, but my therapist says I should get it out in the open. I’m afraid of my cat.
You need to get yourself a haughty lady cat to show him who’s boss.
Maybe a ginger cat. They’re feisty!
They are 🙂
But not many of them are girls… one out of ten.
So it would have special powers!
We just visited Bruges and Ghent – I really don’t understand why Ghent isn’t more generally known – it’s a lovely place to visit.
Lynn 😀
Plus – much beer!
Ah, beer. You know me so well!
I saw your previous post and also thought of suggesting Rome. Accommodation and transport (within the city) are more than affordable and I believe you can get good plane deals from the UK. But since a lot of Italians are pretty religious I’m not sure if everything functions as usual during Easter time.. Budapest is a very pretty, lively and quite cheap city, so If you find a resonable plane ticket go for it!
Thanks for the comment. I’m a little concerned that not everything will be functioning in Rome. I need to weigh if the festivities would make up for that. I’ve always wanted to go to Budapest. Decisions, decisions …
I have a very close friend who lived in Rome for 5 years so if you have any specific questions I can ask her and come back to you!
Really? that’s awesome. Can you ask her if she suggests visiting at that time. We would like to tour the city for art (Sistine chapel included), be able to eat in cafes or restaurants, and have bars open. I know the city will be packed, but will that prevent us from being tourists? Does that made sense?
Ok, so my friend says that restaurants etc are open but usually quite crowded in Easter day. Transport works fine as well, but she doesn’t know about museums etc on Easter day (holy week is ok) cause she never tried to visit one at that time! I’m looking forward to see your final decision!
So museums may be iffy on Easter day. That’s not too bad. Thanks for asking! I’m excited to see our final decision as well. Will keep you posted!
My dad has been to Budapest and it’s amazing there from what he said. A photographer’s dream.
I’ve heard that as well. Sounds wonderful!
what a great list! i’d sign up for any of them 🙂
There’s really no wrong answer. I love it!
Our son just had a massive month long European trip—he loved Budapest. I think it was there he did a hot air balloon flight and that was truly an experience. All of his pictures from his trip made me want to go. And guess what? The hubby and I are planning a trip to England next year!! 🙂 I want to have tea with the queen—what do you think? You got any pull over there as a famous author to make that happen?
I have the queen on speed dial. Next year! That’s exciting. If you need a pub guide, just let me know … I may know someone who likes pubs.
Yea, I was thinking you would have her on speed dial. 🙂 And yes—-I think we might need a pub guide even tho I am not a beer drinker. 🙂
Cider, gin & tonic, whiskey? Most pubs serve tea, but if you want a real experience you need to fit in a proper tea.
Oh I could muddle through it, I bet!!! Maybe cider…..I will have to work on honing my skills….hahahhaha.
You can focus on pubs with history and decent food. But by all means, brush-up on your skills. I’ll practice as well 😉 Loved that you said muddle.
🙂
South Africa is just too far for a weekend…
I remember that flight. Going there wasn’t so rough, but coming back was horrible. Not only that, I had a terrible cold. When we finally arrived in Boston I slept for two days. I’ll save South Africa for another time, when I can spend at least a week.
I love Bruges…It is beautiful , day and night, and full of history,…
Good to know. And thanks!
Haven’t been to Budapest or Bruges yet…so if you can I can travel vicariously with you!
Will keep that in mind!
Rome is great during Easter but VERY crowded if you are in the vatican. Florence and Dublin are nice but I LOVE Edinburgh. If you don’t decide on Rome (or Budapest for Burges which I haven’t been to) I would go there. Just my 2 cents!
The crowds in Rome intimidate me some, but I think it could possibly add to the experience as well. Edinburgh is still in the running, so don’t worry. And thanks for your two cents. Much appreciated.
The crowds at the Vatican were crazy. I went to Good Friday and the Easter Vigil mass there. At one point the line was surging forward so much and people were so mashed together that I was pushed off my feet from the ground and was sandwiched between people for a few seconds, just hanging there. Very weird experience!
Goodness, that might give me a slight heart attack. Thanks for the input. I need to think about this.
How about Seville ..
Lovely bright sunny weather, Cathedral , Easter Festivities galore [maybe a tad too busy for you though ] Tapas Bars … and then you can tell all on return TBM !
Not visited yet but would really like to 😉
Will keep it in mind. Tapas bars sound inviting! Of course I’ll share if we go. Thanks Poppy!
Is it too late to throw Tallinn into the equation? Gorgeous city, and you could pop to Helsinki by ferry for a daytrip…
Not too late at all. My partner suggested Tallinn as well so thanks for the reminder!
I would go to Rome again, in a heartbeat. 🙂
Very good to know that you enjoyed it that much.
They all look like wonderful choices, TBM! Hope you have fun choosing the city that you would like to visit. One of my friends went on a long trip to Europe recently and said that Bruges was one of the best cities she has ever visited.
I’ve heard many good things about Bruges. A long trip to Europe sounds delightful. Thanks Vishy!
I’d go small for cheaper prices, intimacy with the locals, and unharrassed photo shots. What a delightful problem you have! 😉
These are the problems that I enjoy 🙂
I would be excited to be going to either of your top two 🙂
Come along. the more the merrier 🙂
I would save Florence for a longer trip–like a week in Tuscany. There is so much incredible art and architecture, it can be overwhelming to see in just a day or two.
Dublin is close and supposed to be beautiful, but don’t know what will be open.
Good luck choosing!
Thanks Carole. I think Italy is one of those countries that we’ll have to go back to many times to see everything.
Florence may not seem to expensive in terms of places to stay but it is a veryyyy expensive city. Rome can be much cheaper if you find the good places outside of the tourist center, really as long as its not in centro its fine and food costs are cheap! Also Easter here is fantastic there are events all throughout the city and you can attend mass for free!
If you haven’t been i will always choose Rome its perfect here!
Good to know! I wonder why Florence is more expensive once you arrive. Thanks for the input! Much appreciated.
Gucci mainly haha, also the part of the city that is actually interesting and historical is small so they reallly juice the tourists (3e for a cappuccino that is all milk no coffee!) Also I think they like to stick with the gold merchant persona, lots of beautiful expensive jewelery.
Good to know. 3e for milk does seem steep 🙂 Does a tea only include hot water?
I missed the previous post.
Hope you’ll choose Dublin…would love to know what you think of that part of Ireland 🙂
Will keep that in mind. Thanks!
Oh, I’ll be traveling vicariously with you!
Looking out for your final decision:-)
Have a pleasant balance of the week, TBM.
Thanks. I’m curious to see where we go. It’s hard to choose, but each place sounds great.
Of the listed, Rome Rome Rome! It’s a great walking city with bountiful treats. …. consider something different like Trieste or Genoa.
I had a feeling you might suggest Rome or Italy in general. Hope all is well, Frank.
Of course! Meanwhile, it’s not easy catching up!
I know how you feel. It’s impossible to get caught up considering all the blogs you follow and oh yeah, everyday life. Good luck.
You know so well.
There’s that guilty feeling about it, but all of us understand since we are in the same boat when we return from breaks. Don’t stress.
Oh no, I hope I’m not too late to enter my submission! If I could leave tomorrow I’d go back to the Dingle Peninsula in Ireland, and hike from one end to the other. Good luck with your travel planning!
Never too late to make a travel suggestion 🙂 That sounds like fun and I bet it’s beautiful. Thanks!
Go to Edinburgh! (Only because I’m currently pricing tickets as I type. Planning on visiting a friend there early next year).
Thanks for the tip and have a wonderful holiday!
I love Edinburgh. I’ve been there twice, and would love to go back again just to wander around through the streets and wynds.. There’s the castle (of course), the Royal Mile, Holyrood, lots of great pubs and restaurants (we even found a vegetarian version of haggis which is strictly not haggis, but very tasty nonetheless), and if you’re up for a wee hike, there are great views from Arthur’s Seat. Then there’s the single malt scotch, but that’s a whole ‘nother experience and story. 🙂
I think I could eat vegetarian haggis! My partner will probably eat the real thing just to show off. And a wee hike sounds great. I have a couple of scotch stories as well, but I’m always willing to add another 🙂 Thanks for the comment and all the wonderful suggestions!
I read you’re interested in Rome… I was born and I live in Rome, so if you have any questions, I can help you!
Thanks! We’d love to visit Rome during the Easter weekend but are worried that businesses, museums, and other places won’t be open. In your experience, would you suggest Rome at this time for tourists?
Absolutely. This year more than 100 museums were opened ’till 11 p.m. during Easter weekend, and the restaurants are always opened, above all in historic center. Maybe you can find some shops closed on Sunday only…
Actually we aren’t big shoppers so that won’t bother us at all. Over a 100 museums! How cool is that! Thanks for the input. I’ll discuss it with my partner and we hope to make the decision soon. Thanks!
So I hope to read some post by you from Rome 😉
I hope so too! Thanks for taking the time and reassuring me.
I feel like I’m coming in late… did Paris receive the guillotine?! It’s a fantasmic city, especially when toured at night. If not, I think that Belfast and the Northern Ireland area with Giant’s Causeway had some of the most beautiful landscapes I’ve ever seen in January. Real rolling hills dotted with tufts of sheep.
We go to Paris in the spring during the French Open. We’re big tennis fans. I hear the Giant’s Causeway is stunning. Will have to remember that. Every time I see a commercial on television I want to go!
Oh I am so jealous! My family is nuts about tennis as well and we’ll drive to this smaller yet pro tournament nearby. There’s Federer and other greats… but then Federer in France is whole another level!
Yeah! Another tennis fan! And a Federer fan. The better half loves him.
I visited all of them,they are all beautiful in thier own way but it depends on whatyou want. Dublin would be the cheapest, I guess, followed by Bruges and Budapest. Since it’s an Easter holiday I wouldn’t go to Italy, especially not Rome.
Not a fan of crowds? I totally understand that. Usually I’m not, but I think it would be an experience to see Rome during Easter at least once in my life.
You can’t compare the tourists in Italy to the tourists anywhere else in the world, believe me. Most of the sites you can’t even see. You may have noticed that there are no photos of the so-called must sees in my Venice post. Either I couldn’t see them or I was pushed so brutally . . . Rome is the second worst in this regard. Really better to go off season.
At least you found the bookstore. That looks so quaint and a must-see!
I’ve not been to Budapest but it’s on the list! Rome is amazing and literally jaw dropping – I admit that we tried a little more out of season and I quite liked that as I felt we could actually see some of the major attractions better without the feeling of being hustled and bustled along. Florence is also a beautiful city with much to see and we also made a day trip to Sienna – which is well worth seeing. Same with Bruge/Ghent (almost like you get two great places for the price of one!).
For my twenty cents I’d like to chuck Venice into the ring – I absolutely loved it.
Lynn 😀
Jaw-dropping–that’s sounds good. I think if we went to Rome during Easter we would have to try to go back another time to see more of the city and less of the ceremonies and such. Not a bad thing, but might not be feasible. A lot of people are getting behind Bruge … and Venice 🙂
How fun, I am also planning a weekend trip to some European city, but for November (maybe Prague!) Out of those cities above I have been to Rome and Florence and really liked both of them. Actually, I was in Florence (on my way to Arezzo) during easter time and the locals normally have a big celebration there. And Rome, that city offers so much history and museums and in my opinion it’s easy to walk from one place to another! It will be interesting to see where you end up 😉
You’ll love Prague. We went there last December and had a blast. Such a beautiful place. If you go, visit the Castle at night. Seeing the city below with all the lights is so cool and you can get some great photos.
I do enjoy walk-able cities. I’m curious to see where we go as well.
Wow, thanks for the tip! I would love to see Prague from above at night! I really hope I’ll get a day off and could go there for a long weekend.
We were on a city tour that ended at the castle at night. The guide took us to the vineyard (not sure what crop they grew actually) on the grounds and from there you can see the city below and the bridges.
That does sound fantastic.
You’ll love it
Love this pull together. Tyler and I will be thinking about a big trip next year. Although I think I say that every year!
I’ve enjoyed hearing everyone’s thoughts. it helps when planning trips. Any ideas where you might go?
Amsterdam, Rome and Florence would all get my vote. Also Venice. But – how about Lisbon?
Lisbon–that’s another good choice! Thanks