Long weekend in the sun in Europe (May/June) - ideas please!
Mar 27, 2014, 3:25 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2009
Programs: BA Blue these days
Posts: 35
Long weekend in the sun in Europe (May/June) - ideas please!
It's quite a busy time of year for me, so getting away for more than a few days (3-4 nights) probably isn't an option. However my partner haven't been able to have a break just the two of us for a long time and we both feel we really need it. Stuck for ideas, I though, I know exactly where I can get a whole load of inspiration!
So here are my criteria:
1) Definitely want some sun, and to be warm enough to be able to relax by a pool/on a decent beach.
2) Not somewhere chavy and rammed, but fairly chilled out and with decent food and a bit of culture.
2) Able to fly there on BA but happy to drive a bit. I've requalified by my partner hasn't, so I'm hoping to use Avios to keep the cost down if possible (may not work out though), but she will need a cash CE (or POUG) fare.
3) Happy with hotel/resort or self-catering.
4) Not quite sure about budget, in that if something looks amazing we may just go for it. On the other hand if something cheaper will do the trick just as well then no need to spend for the sake of it.
I'm sure there are loads of things that I haven't thought of and will now be asked, but anything you can come up with would be great!
So here are my criteria:
1) Definitely want some sun, and to be warm enough to be able to relax by a pool/on a decent beach.
2) Not somewhere chavy and rammed, but fairly chilled out and with decent food and a bit of culture.
2) Able to fly there on BA but happy to drive a bit. I've requalified by my partner hasn't, so I'm hoping to use Avios to keep the cost down if possible (may not work out though), but she will need a cash CE (or POUG) fare.
3) Happy with hotel/resort or self-catering.
4) Not quite sure about budget, in that if something looks amazing we may just go for it. On the other hand if something cheaper will do the trick just as well then no need to spend for the sake of it.
I'm sure there are loads of things that I haven't thought of and will now be asked, but anything you can come up with would be great!
Mar 27, 2014, 4:58 pm
#2
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: London Stratford, E7
Programs: BAEC Gold! Thanks to FT
Posts: 3,380
I would recommend Dubrovnik in Croatia. Short hop from Gatwick, great beaches, scenery, good hotels, weather will be nice, eating out very cheap.
We stayed in Cavtat last year just a boat across the bay to Dubrovnik was a great holiday one of the best.
We stayed in Cavtat last year just a boat across the bay to Dubrovnik was a great holiday one of the best.
Mar 27, 2014, 5:19 pm
#4
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: London, UK
Programs: BAEC Silver, ITA Club Executive, Hilton Gold, Marriott Gold
Posts: 3,599
Malta sounds like a good idea. I would recommend Sardinia over everything, but BA don't fly there.
Based on your requirements, I say Barcelona. But I would also look into Alicante.
Based on your requirements, I say Barcelona. But I would also look into Alicante.
Mar 28, 2014, 12:43 am
#8
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: London
Programs: BA Silver, ZSL Silver
Posts: 2,552
Long weekend in the sun in Europe (May/June) - ideas please!
We had a great weekend in Dubrovnik last April. Boat tours to the islands available. Hilton Imperial is a great building, too.
Mar 28, 2014, 1:04 am
#9
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Naas at the weekend and FRA during the working week
Programs: EI Aer Club Concierge , BAEC Silver, Tesco clubcard
Posts: 409
Valletta in Malta - Hotel Phoenicia. Alternatively you could opt for Marrakech and stay at the Mosaic Palais Aziza.
Mar 28, 2014, 1:32 am
#10
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: London
Programs: BA Lifetime Gold & GGL & CCR, HH Diam, Bonvoy Titanium, IHG Spire, Tastecard
Posts: 7,549
Long weekend in the sun in Europe (May/June) - ideas please!
JMK - think its twice a week so should be able to do a few days and nice place.
Mar 28, 2014, 2:26 am
#11
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: somewhere north of London, UK
Programs: HH Gold, BA Silver, Accor Silver
Posts: 15,245
Inland Majorca
There's a place called Soller that I like. Very low-key, a couple of good restaurants and we've stayed here a couple of times.
http://www.hotelsalvia.com/
And they don't allow kids, either! (I have three, so when me and the wife do get away for a weekend, this is quite important...)
Might fail on the cultural aspect however - the town and nearby port has an interesting history, but it's not exactly rammed with art galleries.
Do bear in mind that if you're looking for award seats, the last week of May (starting with the bank holiday weekend) is half term for UK schools.
There's a place called Soller that I like. Very low-key, a couple of good restaurants and we've stayed here a couple of times.
http://www.hotelsalvia.com/
And they don't allow kids, either! (I have three, so when me and the wife do get away for a weekend, this is quite important...)
Might fail on the cultural aspect however - the town and nearby port has an interesting history, but it's not exactly rammed with art galleries.
Do bear in mind that if you're looking for award seats, the last week of May (starting with the bank holiday weekend) is half term for UK schools.
Mar 28, 2014, 4:04 am
#14
FlyerTalk Evangelist, Ambassador, British Airways Executive Club
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Somewhere between 0 and 13,000 metres high
Programs: AF/KL Life Plat, BA GGL+GfL, ALL Plat, Hilton Diam, Marriott Gold, blablablah, etc
Posts: 30,539
NCE: Plenty of flights, plenty of good food, plenty of sunshine and beaches, and plenty of culture. Not chavvy and you have a broad choice of where to stay depending on how your final budget and mood feels like from secluded seaside hotels to more urban ones or small retreats on the hills overlooking the sea.
Other possibilities apart from those mentioned above could include AGP, CTA, or the new Greek island links
Other possibilities apart from those mentioned above could include AGP, CTA, or the new Greek island links
Mar 28, 2014, 4:17 am
#15
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Balearics
Programs: BAEC Gold
Posts: 56
+1 for Menorca ^^
Beautiful island with over 100 unspoilt beaches, mostly deserted in May / June. Some interesting hotel and dining options have opened up in the last year or so. These would be my top picks:
Ca Na Xini
Torralbenc
La Quinta Hotel and Spa (adults only)
Beautiful island with over 100 unspoilt beaches, mostly deserted in May / June. Some interesting hotel and dining options have opened up in the last year or so. These would be my top picks:
Ca Na Xini
Torralbenc
La Quinta Hotel and Spa (adults only)