European side trip - where?

[Mr_Gimlet]

I'm doing a six month stint in the UK and would like to take the opportunity to go over to Europe with Mrs_G. I can add side trips onto my QF fare which my employer will pick up as long as I stay within a budget.

I've narrowed it down from the options to Barcelona, Vienna, Helsinki, Amsterdam and Copenhagen (ones culled I'm not interested in). We'll be living near Heathrow.

I'm asking AFF guys because I want to maximise bang for buck - I don't want to find out that I can get a one pound fare from Ryanair - and I've never been to any of these places.

Help!

[QF009]

What are you looking to do?

Personally I prefer Amsterdam to the others as it's a fun party town.

Food-wise I also found lots of great places to eat, with food from a wide variety of cultures (Dutch cuisine isn't v popular locally, ironically!). Dutch Indonesian was interesting, but couldn't eat a lot of it as the stuff was v spicy. My favourite is a place called Envy which serves awesome French fusion.

I think Amsterdam will also offer plenty of history/culture; there's the iconic Anne Frank Huis. And there's the rather interesting sex museum if you're into such things. It's also a rather picturesque town with the canals.

Vienna has v nice food (yummy cakes!) but is otherwise rather staid with the rudest and most unhelpful people I've ever come across. I liked contemporary Vienesse interior decor - I reckon it's one of the trendiest cities in Europe.

I didn't like Barcelona myself, but it can be good if you're into architecture and Spanish food (so say my friends who love it anyway!). Some ok shopping but mostly mass market brands. I personally found it the place rather boring on the whole.

Never been to HEL or CPH.

[opusman]

I would vote for Barcelona

And if you want a hotel recommendation, the Camper Hotel is fantastic!

[Commuter]

What sort of things are you and your wife interested in? It depends on what you're interested in which city I'd like to recommend.


P.S. Mmmmm cakes in Vienna!

[winetraveller]

Barca for me, hands down!

Great food, and the nightlife, wow.

[Hawkeye]

Amsterdam and Barcelona would be my unqualified choices. Both have that intangible atmosphere that make them great cities. Barcelona has so many edgy aspects - architecture, history, food, Mediterranean climate, beautiful people - that it can be a truly addictive experience.

I can't comment on HEL, but CPH is good for about 24 hours. Hideously expensive (in keeping with Scandinavian countries) but shopping is good.

As an aside, LHR-CPH is just over 600 miles, so the journey squeaks into Zone 2 for status credit earning. Good for mileage runs, if you're into such things!

[NM]

While Helsinki is nice enough (in summer), its nothing special and can be very expensive for food and drinks. I think some of the other places may be more desirable.

[Mr_Gimlet]

Thanks for everyone's help so far. It's probably down to Barcelona, Vienna and Amsterdam. I like eating, Mrs_G has never been to Europe.

We're intending to travel more than just this, but I was hoping someone might be able to suggest which location is worth booking on a full service airline. So for example I was thinking Barcelona because the other airport that Ryanair uses is quite a way from the city.

Value for money would also be a factor...

[laffer]

I love Barcelona. Amsterdam was great as well but Barcelona was just cool. Great architecture (with the Gaudi houses) and a great atomsphere and wonderful food (although the waterfront can be a bit expensive and not really worth it).

Amsterdam is quite good as well. Although there are two sides to Amsterdam. The seedy side and the historic side. The Anne Frank House is very moving and the Van Gough Museum is excellent.

I have not been to CPH or VIE but they are on my list.

I go to STR next week so if you are looking at Germany I can fill you in on that

[Mr_Gimlet]

I go to STR next week so if you are looking at Germany I can fill you in on that

We have to visit a friend in germany, but he has recommended Ryanair into Baden as it is close to his home. So not worth burning a side trip.