February or March travel to Europe...ideas??

[osumelissa]

So my boyfriend's birthday is at the end of February - he hasn't gone on a real vacation in a few years (since the previous girlfriend) and I want to take him on a European trip for his 36th birthday. Trip would be end of February or early March for 10-14 nights and we would be flying from Washington, DC. Top two ideas are:

1. Berlin and 1 other city (top two contenders are Vienna or Prague)
2. Italy (Rome and Florence for sure, although I think if we could add Venice, the BF would like that; however I think three cities might be pushing it in two weeks)

Budget: I would like to spend no more than $1200 per person on flights and I always try to stick to no more than $150-175 per night on hotels or flats.

We have both been to Spain with other significant others - we would both like to go back, but would prefer to go in warmer months. Also both of us have been to London, and I just did three weeks this summer in the UK, so not looking to go back right away. I know February/March might not be the best weather, but I have been to London in December which was fine, and I also have been to Iceland in November (it was cold for sure, but still totally enjoyable). So I'm not too concerned of cold/snow.

Which trip would you pick? Which city would you pair with Berlin? Are there other European trips I should consider that would be OK that time of year?

[rupertpenny]

I would probably not do Berlin at all, sorry. I went in July and it was still miserably cold. It also just isn't really close to anything else. If you are flying it isn't a big deal, but the train ride to Prague is not short, and taking a train to Vienna would be an all day affair. Berlin is not a major airline hub either, so it might be more expensive to get there. I jut want to add that I have also been to Iceland in November and London at Christmas and I think the weather in Berlin would be worse.

I would probably try to stick to Southern Europe. Rome would be nice, especially if you could add the Amalfi Coast or Sicily. Greece might be good, but I think some islands might kind of shut down in winter so I'd look into that. I'm almost positive there's a direct flight from Dulles to Istanbul.

You said you guys have done Spain, but if you haven't been to Barcelona you could combine that with the south of France.

[gt7301b]

I'd just setup fair alerts for both cities and go where I could find the best deal.

I also think two weeks is plenty of time for trip number 2. I like Venice, but don't really need to spend a lot of time there.

[osumelissa]

Sept 10, 2014 8:32:15 GMT -5 rupertpenny said:

I would probably not do Berlin at all, sorry. I went in July and it was still miserably cold. It also just isn't really close to anything else. If you are flying it isn't a big deal, but the train ride to Prague is not short, and taking a train to Vienna would be an all day affair. Berlin is not a major airline hub either, so it might be more expensive to get there. I jut want to add that I have also been to Iceland in November and London at Christmas and I think the weather in Berlin would be worse.

I would probably try to stick to Southern Europe. Rome would be nice, especially if you could add the Amalfi Coast or Sicily. Greece might be good, but I think some islands might kind of shut down in winter so I'd look into that. I'm almost positive there's a direct flight from Dulles to Istanbul.

You said you guys have done Spain, but if you haven't been to Barcelona you could combine that with the south of France.

Yep there are definitely direct flights from Dulles to Istanbul. We have both done Barcelona - he hasn't been to Paris and wants to go so I might add that as a possibility.

[GilliC]

I also agree that you could do all three cities in Italy if you have 2 full weeks. We did Milan, Florence, and Rome in 10 days and didn't feel like we sold any of them too short. Venice is probably worth more time than we spent in Milan, but with 14 days, you'd be okay.

I also love Istanbul. It's one of my favorite cities overall, not just in Europe. If you don't mind cooler weather, 10-14 days would give you plenty of time to visit Cappadocia and possibly somewhere else like Ephesus as well.

[frlcb]

I think 3 cities in two weeks is plenty of time, especially with two of them as Venice and Florence. You don't need a full week each in Rome and Florence.

I loved Istanbul too. What about Greece? I think Spain would be fine that time of year, it won't be hot but it won't be freezing either, especially in March.

[Deleted]

I actually preferred Budapest over Prague, but I loved Vienna.

Ljubiana and Lake Beld was another place that I absolutely adored.

What about Porto, Lisbon and maybe Madeira? Madeira is quiet and you wouldn't need more than 2-3 days, but it would be in the upper 60s that time of year.

[osumelissa]

I'm glad to hear that three cities in Italy in two weeks wouldn't be pushing it! I was worried that it might be since I know there is lots to see and do in Rome and Florence.

Adding some of your other suggestions to my list of places to set up fare alerts.

[neonpink]

I think 3 cities in Italy would be wonderful. I think Southern Italy would be my choice.

I've only been to Spain that time of year. Granada was in the 70s. Barcelona in the 50-60s and cooler.

[rupertpenny]

Sept 10, 2014 9:28:55 GMT -5 @uwhuskygirl said:

I actually preferred Budapest over Prague, but I loved Vienna.

Ljubiana and Lake Beld was another place that I absolutely adored.

What about Porto, Lisbon and maybe Madeira? Madeira is quiet and you wouldn't need more than 2-3 days, but it would be in the upper 60s that time of year.

I think all of these are great suggestions. Budapest, Bled, and Lisbon are some of my favorite places. 

[Deleted]

We absolutely loved Portugal, and you can more than easily do that on your budget. We were there in the winter and the weather was really nice, sunny and 60s. We did a week in Lisbon with a daytrip to Sintra, but with 10 days you could do Lisbon and Porto with a daytrip or two.

[anna7602]

Another vote for Istanbul. When I went, it was March and the weather was lovely.

That said, Italy would be great as well. I was in Venice last year in March and it was kind of rainy, but I'm not sure how typical that is. I love Rome, Florence and Naples and think 2 weeks would be enough to see all of these. You may consider Croatia, too. I took an overnight ferry from Bari, Italy once to spend a weekend in Dubrovnik and really enjoyed it.

[mpc]

I think 3 cities in Italy would be great in that time frame. A couple PPs have mentioned Greece - we went there this summer and in my research I found that a lot of stuff on the islands is closed up until May/June.