The Lemon Fool

Thinking about grabbing a short break abroad early next month. We aren't beach folk, but a cool down at a nice hotel pool for a couple of hours at the end of the day can be nice. We tend to walk a lot, soaking up the atmosphere, culture and history of a place, while enjoying some nice meals out.

I quite fancy Bordeaux or Porto - never been before. Any comments on either? Any other suggestions?

Bordeaux at night is very appealing. I'd definitely add it to a place to visit list....I'm not sure you'd get 5 nights out of it though...you might want to see if there are excursions available in the day.

Flying or driving? Given that Porto’s an option and only 5 days, suspect the latter. But if poss, I’d not go so far down and would drive the coast to Baie de Somme. Especially in August.

I'd say it is likely to be hot...maybe too hot in August any further South than the UK. Why not look further North?

John

redsturgeon wrote:I'd say it is likely to be hot...maybe too hot in August any further South than the UK. Why not look further North?

John

Porto does not have a particularly hot climate. Right now it is 22 there versus 29 in London. It has more of an Atlantic climate then a Mediterranean one.

Nothing wrong with looking North and I was just in Sweden and Finland where it was about 20-22 degrees during the day, cooling off at night. But I believe Clariman lives in Scotland so may crave a few more degrees.

Dublin/Ireland?

AiY(D)

Highly recommend Porto and North from there. It's a very underrated part of the world. Even better, hire a car and drive North. There's lots of really nice places to visit, from beach resorts to Portuguese towns almost untouched by mass tourism. I particularly enjoy Vina de Castelo, Ponte Lima, Braga, Barcelos. The further North you go towards the border with Spain, the nicer it gets. Head North and turn right into the Minho national park. Enjoy the local food washed down with Vinho Verde, to me, the taste of Portugal. If you're fortunate, travelling North, you still stand some chance of not hearing any English spoken the further North you go. Enjoy

Thanks everyone. Am trying to see if we can free ourselves up for a slightly longer break to make it more worthwhile.

Clariman wrote:I quite fancy Bordeaux or Porto - never been before. Any comments on either? Any other suggestions?

I've not been to Porto but I can definitely recommend Lisbon and I would like to go to Porto.
Going in the opposite direction, Stockholm and Helsinki are definitely worth a visit.

Clariman wrote:Thinking about grabbing a short break abroad early next month. We aren't beach folk, but a cool down at a nice hotel pool for a couple of hours at the end of the day can be nice. We tend to walk a lot, soaking up the atmosphere, culture and history of a place, while enjoying some nice meals out.

I quite fancy Bordeaux or Porto - never been before. Any comments on either? Any other suggestions?

Just spent a few days in Bordeaux with daughter and granddaughter. Was nice and we enjoyed the break. It was curtailed by 1 day as flight cancelled. In the end that was a bonus as we run out of things to do in town. With a 22 month old certain trips were out of the question (40 degrees did not help). But the "adults" would have added a couple of trips out. We did not find a hotel in the centre with a pool when looking, but there were a few with roof terraces and the view from ours at breakfast was superb. Plenty of good restaurants and good walks and a lot of history. Was on my bucket list.

I would also say Lisbon as above. Never been to Porto but you have made me think to look for another trip.

Stay at home and chill out!