City Breaks

[Pretty Boy]

It's hardly original but I loved Rome, there really is something for everyone. We were only there for 4 days so we had to rush things a bit more than we would have liked but I'd love to go back and spend more time just wandering.

Based on places I've been to in the last few years I'd recommend Montpellier, Udine and Valencia. I've also done a few of the usual suspects; Rome as mentioned above, Berlin and Barcelona and would recommend all of those as well.

[danhibees1875]

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It's hardly original but I loved Rome, there really is something for everyone. We were only there for 4 days so we had to rush things a bit more than we would have liked but I'd love to go back and spend more time just wandering.

Based on places I've been to in the last few years I'd recommend Montpellier, Udine and Valencia. I've also done a few of the usual suspects; Rome as mentioned above, Berlin and Barcelona and would recommend all of those as well.

Rome is stunningly beautiful.

I was there for 3/4 nights and as you say, struggled to see everything. Baffles me that people get off a cruise to go there for an afternoon!

[Dalianwanda]

Just booked up for Marrakech again...Will probably head out to the coast too but love the city...So cheap in November too..

[DH1875]

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Just booked up for Marrakech again...Will probably head out to the coast too but love the city...So cheap in November too..

You been a few times then? How safe is it? (Genuine question)

[marinello59]

If I was booking a city break today it would be a straight choice between Florence or Copenhagen.

[Cataplana]

Malaga is great. Excellent public transport, great bars and food in the city centre at good prices.

San Miguel at 2.5 Euro a pint in the best bars, craft beers like Brew Dog, 5 euros tops for a pint.

Real Spain, and still glad to welcome visitors. Go now, before it is ruined by over tourism.

[Mr Grieves]

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Malaga is great. Excellent public transport, great bars and food in the city centre at good prices.

San Miguel at 2.5 Euro a pint in the best bars, craft beers like Brew Dog, 5 euros tops for a pint.

Real Spain, and still glad to welcome visitors. Go now, before it is ruined by over tourism.

We went on holiday to Nerja in July and did day trips to Malaga and Granada.

I was pleasently surprised by Malaga. Very nice old town to wander round, the port area is cool and there's a real buzz about the place. And I got a pint for €1.50 in the city centre, unreal!

Granada was nice but way too touristy for my liking. Shout out for the science Park though, an amazing place for kids.

[Mibbes Aye]

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If I was booking a city break today it would be a straight choice between Florence or Copenhagen.

Copenhagen is a very, very pleasant city break. One of those places that probably has copyright on ‘picturesque’. We were there in May and loved sitting, drinking and eating in the harbour cafes. We went to a concert in the opera house and it was spectacular - gorgeous venue, walkable to in a similar way you get in Edinburgh

Never been to Florence but it is very high up on the list of future breaks. If we book, I will be back on here asking you for recommendations

[Onceinawhile]

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Copenhagen is a very, very pleasant city break. One of those places that probably has copyright on ‘picturesque’. We were there in May and loved sitting, drinking and eating in the harbour cafes. We went to a concert in the opera house and it was spectacular - gorgeous venue, walkable to in a similar way you get in Edinburgh

Never been to Florence but it is very high up on the list of future breaks. If we book, I will be back on here asking you for recommendations

Florence is great and close enough to Pisa to take a 1/2 day trip as well.

[HappyAsHellas]

We had a weekend away in Bergamo and it was excellent. Lovely place to walk around and plenty of restaurants and bars to fill an evening.

[Dalianwanda]

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You been a few times then? How safe is it? (Genuine question)

I was there last year and felt perfectly safe. Stayed in medina in a lovely Ruiz. It’s exactly what i was hoping for exotic, chaotic an assault to the senses. Like any major city your best to keep your whits about you & everyone’s trying to make a buck off you. Once you get used to it i couldn’t recommend highly enough. We were also a few days outside Agadir for surfing this year gonna drive to essaouira as only heard good things.

[HarpyHibby]

Has anyone been to Milan for the weekend? For non footballing purposes I must add...

[Time For Heroes]

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Has anyone been to Milan for the weekend? For non footballing purposes I must add...

I went last year with the wife, beautiful city, the kind of place you can just walk around and appreciate.
Definitely recommend it

[lyonhibs]

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Has anyone been to Milan for the weekend? For non footballing purposes I must add...

I was pleasantly surprised by Milan, I have to say. Il Duomo and Galleria Vittoria Emmanuele II really are stunning, despite being touristy as ****.

[Jim44]

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Malaga is great. Excellent public transport, great bars and food in the city centre at good prices.

San Miguel at 2.5 Euro a pint in the best bars, craft beers like Brew Dog, 5 euros tops for a pint.

Real Spain, and still glad to welcome visitors. Go now, before it is ruined by over tourism.

Like Malaga, Alicante is unfairly considered to be an airport destination for other areas. Alicante itself is a lovely place, great marina, castle and old town atmosphere and great restaurants.

[Lancs Harp]

We went to Palma Mallorca in the end, had a fantastic time, lovely place, great bars and restaurants weather in the high 20s, highly recommend for a mini break.

[LancashireHibby]

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We went to Palma Mallorca in the end, had a fantastic time, lovely place, great bars and restaurants weather in the high 20s, highly recommend for a mini break.

We were in Palmanova last week and had a day in Palma, love going there. Wouldn’t have fancied doing their marathon the same weekend, mind.

[MagicSwirlingShip]

Off to Prague in a few weeks - anyone on here than can pass on some tips?

[The_Exile]

Florence is utterly utterly stunning and beautiful. I'd happily live there if I could speak Italian, the learning of which is also on the to do list!

[MSK]

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Off to Prague in a few weeks - anyone on here than can pass on some tips?

Nice city, few cracking eateries, head away from the touristy places, last time we were there, early December (Christmas markets) it was heaving and most places were full up so booking was recommended. If you like history Terezin concentration camp (30 miles outside Prague) is worth a visit, we stayed in a Metro Express hotel, basic but the beds were worth the visit alone, best sleep I had in years 😆, oh and the Staropramen dark is a cracking pint 🍺👍

[Mibbes Aye]

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Off to Prague in a few weeks - anyone on here than can pass on some tips?

We go over two or three times a year to the Czech Republic, Prague-based but venture out to Moravia, and out to Slovakia, Austria etc. Been going for five or six years now. If you let me know what sort of thing you might be looking for from restaurants and pubs then happy to offer recommendations, we have been to all sorts. If you like them then say, if they are rubbish then let me know .

[MagicSwirlingShip]

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Nice city, few cracking eateries, head away from the touristy places, last time we were there, early December (Christmas markets) it was heaving and most places were full up so booking was recommended. If you like history Terezin concentration camp (30 miles outside Prague) is worth a visit, we stayed in a Metro Express hotel, basic but the beds were worth the visit alone, best sleep I had in years 😆, oh and the Staropramen dark is a cracking pint 🍺👍

Nice one mate, if you can remember any of the eateries that would be much appreciated!

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We go over two or three times a year to the Czech Republic, Prague-based but venture out to Moravia, and out to Slovakia, Austria etc. Been going for five or six years now. If you let me know what sort of thing you might be looking for from restaurants and pubs then happy to offer recommendations, we have been to all sorts. If you like them then say, if they are rubbish then let me know .

Ah class! Exactly the kind of knowledge I'm after...

We are over the Tuesday to Sunday so plan on spending the first few days exploring, taking in the sights, scenery etc. Both the mrs and myself enjoy a beer so some nice bars to grab a cold one (or two in) would be nice. I've already got a wee list of late night more cocktail style bars from a few mates... I definitely want to head to an Absinthe bar at some point also..

Food wise, we're both pretty open minded. We will be out exploring alot during the day so for lunch will either be grabbing quick stuff we can eat on the go or try and find somewhere nice for a few beers and a light lunch. Night time food spots will be looking for nice surroundings, a nice steak joint perhaps. Any recommendations would be appreciated!!

Also if you know of any wee hidden activity gems the city has to offer, I'd seen online you can take a wee train style thing up to the castle, looked quite nice.

We plan on going out to a few clubs Friday night into Saturday morning, seems to be a decent scene over there!

[HUTCHYHIBBY]

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Off to Prague in a few weeks - anyone on here than can pass on some tips?

Zizkov (Prague 3) is well worth a visit, a multitude of cheap as chips drinking establishments. Repete (Rybna Street) in the town centre is a decent cocktail bar. A wee day trip to Pilsen (by train, quite scenic) is worthwhile too.

[MSK]

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Nice one mate, if you can remember any of the eateries that would be much appreciated




!

Sorry mate cant recall any names other than Hard Rock (yeah I know 😆) my Daughter loves them, Prague, Krakow, Budapest, Berlin, we have been in them all 😆 We did pass, and were very tempted to go into an absinthe bar but after a skinful of Staropramen dark it was best avoided 😆 whatever your plans are Im sure you will have a great time 👍

[Mibbes Aye]

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Nice one mate, if you can remember any of the eateries that would be much appreciated!




Ah class! Exactly the kind of knowledge I'm after...

We are over the Tuesday to Sunday so plan on spending the first few days exploring, taking in the sights, scenery etc. Both the mrs and myself enjoy a beer so some nice bars to grab a cold one (or two in) would be nice. I've already got a wee list of late night more cocktail style bars from a few mates... I definitely want to head to an Absinthe bar at some point also..

Food wise, we're both pretty open minded. We will be out exploring alot during the day so for lunch will either be grabbing quick stuff we can eat on the go or try and find somewhere nice for a few beers and a light lunch. Night time food spots will be looking for nice surroundings, a nice steak joint perhaps. Any recommendations would be appreciated!!

Also if you know of any wee hidden activity gems the city has to offer, I'd seen online you can take a wee train style thing up to the castle, looked quite nice.

We plan on going out to a few clubs Friday night into Saturday morning, seems to be a decent scene over there!

I will put something suggestions up later this evening. Would echo HH’s post though. Zhizkov is a vibrant part of town. Plzen is only 1hr40 on the express train and the trains are good and cheap. It is easy to get around and has good beer as you would expect from the home of pilsner! We

[Mibbes Aye]

MagicSwirlingShip, I am a wee bit older than you and my clubbing days are a bit of a memory, so hopefully someone else can throw in a few options

As for the other recommendations, I will break it up over a few posts, so it isn’t too much reading.

Pubs - no shortage in Praha! It’s worth looking out for ones that do tank beer 🍻. This is where the pilsner is stored in a tank rather than a keg, on the basis it develops a better taste. If you haven’t been to Prague before then be prepared to accept that a beer is served with a massive head, typically a third of the glass. It is just the way it is. Given that it is the best tasting beer I have ever had and given that in some bars it really is costing pennies, then that seems okay.

Not sure where about you are staying. An old favourite pub is U Pinkasu. It is very central, in a sort of alley not far off Wenceslas Square. Despite the location it was never very touristy, it felt more like somewhere that was a real Czech pub. I think it has got more of a profile now though and it is one of the oldest pubs in the city I believe.

There is a bar close to the river Vltava, which runs through the middle of the city, called Pivobar Národní. It is right beside the national threatre which is called Národní Divadlo. It is good because it has a massive beer garden out the back, I think maybe the biggest in Praha. They do beer flights, where you can try four or so small glasses of different beer. The food isn’t that great though, so stick to the beer.

We tend to avoid the bars that cater for U.K. groups wanting live football, but occasionally it has to be done. The best IMO is the James Joyce, just on the northern fringe of the Old Town. Easily walking distance if you are in the city centre.

We tend to stay in an apartment just to the east of the Old Town. It is fifteen minutes walk to Old Town Square, so no distance at all, but it is just a couple of blocks far enough out to mean you don’t get the stag dos and birthday bashes. If you are over that way there is a craft beer pub on a street called Soukenická. The pub is called Gulden Draak. It is small, mostly locals, but very friendly and a host of great beers. Again they do the beer flights.

Also in the area, there are two rooftop bars, Tanku and Fashion Club. They are about seven or eight storeys up, on top of a shopping mall called Kotva. The mall isn’t easy to spot, strangely enough, but it is right across the road from an even bigger mall called Palladium, and the Námêstí Republiky metro station, which is a big, big station. The street is called Revoluční.

But genuinely, there are no shortage of places selling good beer, very cheaply, and especially as you get ten to fifteen minutes away from OTS, you start finding places with courtyards etc that are very pleasant. And if you are prepared to venture further out than Praha 1 then there are even cheaper pubs!

[Mibbes Aye]

Restaurants -not sure what budgets you are working within but there is something for everyone. What I would say is that generally speaking, and especially outwith the immediate environs of Old Town Square, and especially when ordering ‘traditional’ Czech cuisine, the portions tend to be absolutely massive.

You mentioned steaks, there are two places in particular I like. George is in the city centre, just to the West of OTS, in the bit with the posh shops - Louis Vuitton, Rolex etc. As you will have guessed, it is expensive! Casa Argentina is close to the area I described where I stay, on Dlouhá. It is also expensive by Prague standards, actually expensive by Edinburgh standards but the food is very good. If you do go there ask if you can get a table in the conservatory, it’s like the conservatory you get at the Botanics rather than the one you have on the back of your house!

At a much more affordable point is La Boca on Truhlárská, which is actually where the apartment I use sits. It is quite an eccentric layout but the steaks were really good. And there are a couple of decent pubs on the street as well.

I would throw in Vŷtopna. The original branch is on Wenceslas Square, the second, which I haven’t been to, is in the Palladium shopping mall at Námêstí Republiky. It is exceptionally cheesy but a must-visit at least once. Basically the entire restaurant is built around a massive model railway line. You sit at your table, order the drinks and they are delivered right to you in the wagon of a model train. As I say, exceptionally cheesy and the food is basic (pizzas, schnitzels etc) but you can’t go to Prague and not do it!

A couple,of other mentions -there is an Asian (and I mean Asian, it fuses Japanese, Chines, Thai etc) place called Asian Temple, in the Jewish Quarter. It is absolutely massive, very stylised and ornate design and just a bit of a treat for all the senses. It isn’t particularly cheap but not ridiculously expensive, and worth visiting for the experience let alone the food.

If you like Indian, there is a Punjabi place called Five Rivers, central but close to the river. It is gorgeous inside, the food is great and hugely-portioned and the service is brilliant.

My only other recommendation would be Enjoy on Soukeniká. Asian fusion, and pretty cheap but very tasty. It is never busy which makes me wonder, but the food is always fresh and delicious. That and El-Emir, which is Lebanese and in the Palladium mall. Basically you can pick one dish and share between two because the portions are so massive.

If you do go to a restaurant promising traditional Czech cuisine, bear in mind that ordering starters and mains is a challenge. I like my food but I have lost count of the number of times I have sent a plate back half-finished just because of the sheer quantity.

[Mibbes Aye]

MSS, you asked about the less-obvious gems. If you go to the Castle (which is worth it) there are a bunch of museums and galleries (‘palaces’) on the path up the hill. There is one called Lobkowiczkŷ that has a terrace cafe with stunning views across Prague. The food is basics - paninis, toasties, pasta etc - but tasty.

Not sure if it is a hidden gem, but the Communist Museum is really good and well worth a visit. It covers the history of the country during that period and is fascinating.

My other recommendation would be an ice hockey game. The Czechs love their hockey and the atmosphere is always brilliant. Prices are dirt cheap and you can get a beer and a hot dog to take to your seat.

Just more generally, the trains, Metro and trams are efficient and cheap and easy to get tickets for. Just make sure you validate your ticket - there are plainclothes inspectors on the trams and the fine for an unvalidated ticket is hefty! While we use the public transport system we also use Uber and it has never been anything other than cheap and easy.

Final thing, everybody in central Prague especially, but also the outskirts and the likes of Plzen speaks English. It is the common language that the likes of the Russians use here (even though Russian and Czech are similar in many regards!), and the Germans and everybody else. However, almost all Czechs really appreciate it if you make even the smallest effort to speak their language. Please, thank you, hello, goodbye goes a long way. Also, though it is a changing country it is still very formal and polite, so knowing how to formally say a few phrases goes a long, long way.

[Mibbes Aye]

Last thing MSS, I hope you and your partner have a fantastic time on your trip. Praha and Česká Republika are gorgeous places to visit, with some lovely people, great history and culture.

The beer is amazing but if you like wine, their white wines are great and if you order Czech wine in a restaurant the staff are almost always delighted (which I still don’t understand because it is really good!)

[Lancs Harp]

Top effort Mibbess Aye Im off to Lisbon for a few days to bring the New Year in, you havent got a travel guide for there too have you?