Central/Southern European destination for a week in November.
July 24, 2018 7:16 AM Subscribe
Two sisters on different continents want to meet halfway in Europe for a week in late November. I'm supposed to pick a city, but I'm drawing a blank. Cities, hotels, or itinerary recommendations gratefully received. Specific requirements inside.
My sister (who lives in the US) will meet me somewhere in Europe in late November when I fly in from Hong Kong.
We would like to meet somewhere which:
--is a relatively easy transfer from US hubs. Say, no more than one hop after she arrives in Europe from either Minneapolis or Chicago. (I'll already have been in Europe for a week, so jet lag won't be an issue for me.)
--does not require a long drive once we have arrived at the airport (say, under 90 minutes)
--has reasonably nice weather. It doesn't need to be hot, but we would prefer it not to be miserable pissing rain
Things we like: historical buildings, walking/hiking, spas and nice food.
This is to celebrate a big birthday. We can afford to splurge, within reason. We'd love to find a special hotel.
Other conditions:
I lived in Northern Europe for 20 years, I would prefer somewhere warmer. My sister is going to Italy next year, so would prefer to avoid Italy. Anything else is fair game.
Any ideas, spas, or hotel recommendations gratefully received.
My sister (who lives in the US) will meet me somewhere in Europe in late November when I fly in from Hong Kong.
We would like to meet somewhere which:
--is a relatively easy transfer from US hubs. Say, no more than one hop after she arrives in Europe from either Minneapolis or Chicago. (I'll already have been in Europe for a week, so jet lag won't be an issue for me.)
--does not require a long drive once we have arrived at the airport (say, under 90 minutes)
--has reasonably nice weather. It doesn't need to be hot, but we would prefer it not to be miserable pissing rain
Things we like: historical buildings, walking/hiking, spas and nice food.
This is to celebrate a big birthday. We can afford to splurge, within reason. We'd love to find a special hotel.
Other conditions:
I lived in Northern Europe for 20 years, I would prefer somewhere warmer. My sister is going to Italy next year, so would prefer to avoid Italy. Anything else is fair game.
Any ideas, spas, or hotel recommendations gratefully received.
I was going to say Sicily until you said no Italy. It may be different enough for her to qualify, especially if she will be staying on the mainland for her trip next year. Maybe look into Corsica as an alternative.
I went to the Azores last November and would suggest them as well. For you, there are direct flights from Europe and for her, she can transfer in Boston. There are spas in Furnas on Sao Miguel and you can island hop or stick to just one.
posted by soelo at 7:30 AM on July 24, 2018
I went to the Azores last November and would suggest them as well. For you, there are direct flights from Europe and for her, she can transfer in Boston. There are spas in Furnas on Sao Miguel and you can island hop or stick to just one.
posted by soelo at 7:30 AM on July 24, 2018
How about Barcelona? We were there for a long weekend and absolutely plan on going back.
Historial buildings are dominated by Gaudi, but there's plenty of others. That said, the La Sagrada Familia is an absolutely must see.
When I was last there, we really enjoyed walking through the Parque del Laberinto de Horta.
For spas, we actually went to a this spa as well while we were there. It was lovely. From what I recall, there were a lot of spas in the city. We just chose that one based on cost and availability.
Our hotel was sort of budget so I'm not sure it's really appropriate for a birthday celebration, but it's located in a working bakery which was pretty cool.
As for nice food... goes without saying for Barcelona, I think?
posted by like_neon at 7:44 AM on July 24, 2018 [2 favorites]
Historial buildings are dominated by Gaudi, but there's plenty of others. That said, the La Sagrada Familia is an absolutely must see.
When I was last there, we really enjoyed walking through the Parque del Laberinto de Horta.
For spas, we actually went to a this spa as well while we were there. It was lovely. From what I recall, there were a lot of spas in the city. We just chose that one based on cost and availability.
Our hotel was sort of budget so I'm not sure it's really appropriate for a birthday celebration, but it's located in a working bakery which was pretty cool.
As for nice food... goes without saying for Barcelona, I think?
posted by like_neon at 7:44 AM on July 24, 2018 [2 favorites]
Here's some stuff specifically about November in Barcelona, including weather.
posted by like_neon at 7:49 AM on July 24, 2018
posted by like_neon at 7:49 AM on July 24, 2018
Technically only partially European but I think Istanbul checks most of your other boxes. Turkish bathhouses?
posted by yeahlikethat at 8:22 AM on July 24, 2018
posted by yeahlikethat at 8:22 AM on July 24, 2018
Definitely consider Portugal. I went in November last year and it was fabulous. Either Lisbon or Porto are fantastic.
posted by tryniti at 8:44 AM on July 24, 2018
posted by tryniti at 8:44 AM on July 24, 2018
what about dubrovnik or malta? both have mild weather, nicely touristy but not crowded in november.
posted by poffin boffin at 8:48 AM on July 24, 2018 [1 favorite]
posted by poffin boffin at 8:48 AM on July 24, 2018 [1 favorite]
Bordeaux
Toulouse
Barcelona
Madrid
Lisbon
Those are probably the most obvious options as they fit all your criteria.
A nice hotel in Lisbon, hiking in Sintra and eating great seafood would be something to do in Portugal.
posted by vacapinta at 9:12 AM on July 24, 2018
Toulouse
Barcelona
Madrid
Lisbon
Those are probably the most obvious options as they fit all your criteria.
A nice hotel in Lisbon, hiking in Sintra and eating great seafood would be something to do in Portugal.
posted by vacapinta at 9:12 AM on July 24, 2018
Best answer: We went to Madrid a couple of years ago in November. That was really nice. We also took a train to a village nearish to Rhonda and did a four-day village to village walk that ended up back in Rhonda. It was super quiet in Andalusia, but things were open and it was dry. So that's an idea.
posted by TORunner at 11:56 AM on July 24, 2018
posted by TORunner at 11:56 AM on July 24, 2018
Yeah, I'd head to Andalusia. Seville plus Cordoba and/or Granada is a good week; the Alhambra is spectacular, and the train from Madrid (direct flights from O'Hare) is quick and easy.
posted by Homeboy Trouble at 1:40 PM on July 24, 2018
posted by Homeboy Trouble at 1:40 PM on July 24, 2018
Best answer: Madrid is nice - lots of great bars and restaurants, plus some nice art galleries. Mountains for hiking are only an hours train ride to the North. Airport is easy to get to and from on the train too. It's crazy hot in the summer but November should be nice still.
Andalusia is amazing - coast, mountains and history all in one area but you really need a car when there and takes a while to get around. Granada is fairly small - the alhambra is impressive but oh so touristy
posted by JonB at 2:34 PM on July 24, 2018
Andalusia is amazing - coast, mountains and history all in one area but you really need a car when there and takes a while to get around. Granada is fairly small - the alhambra is impressive but oh so touristy
posted by JonB at 2:34 PM on July 24, 2018
Strasbourg is worth looking at...
posted by Pressed Rat at 3:39 PM on July 24, 2018
posted by Pressed Rat at 3:39 PM on July 24, 2018
Response by poster: We went to a combination of Madrid/Toledo and it was fabulous. Special mention to managing to get a table at DiversXO for my birthday, which really made it a special treat.
posted by frumiousb at 6:03 PM on December 14, 2018
posted by frumiousb at 6:03 PM on December 14, 2018
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