Questions and Answers

I have a week off at work and looking at places that would work best in Europe.
I have never been to Europe and this will be our first time.

I am looking for suggestions on places to go between March 25 and April 02.
We are open for any kind of destination honestly. Just want to be in better weather conditions than getting in to damp weather.

I have enough miles and points in major currencies and if not for award travel, I can do revenue tickets as well.

Thanks in advance.

If you’re wanting better weather, I’d suggest staying south. Italy and Greece come to mind. Having visited Greece one time in June when it was about 1000 degrees, I’d much rather visit in shoulder season next time.

Or maybe south of France or Spain. Your best chances are around the Mediterranean I would think.

Both [USER=79]@Gaurav[/USER] and [USER=184]@MidSouth Skier[/USER] have good suggestions.

But I would like to throw my hat in the ring so too speak and suggest a destination a bit more to the south namely Madeira. Not much of a beach destination, but that should not matter this early in the year. Unlike the EU mainland most hotels have heated outdoor pools year round if you like the water.
[URL]https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Madeira[/URL]

TP has I think 5 or 6 daily flights with A320 from Lisbon and BA flies from Gatwick. Or it’s flown by the LCC subs of legacies like Transavia (KLM), Edelweiss (Swiss) or Air Berlin with their all Y short haul fleet. Not sure if Finnair is an option on an award due to the extra mileage up to HEL.
[URL]https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Madeira_Airport[/URL]

The Azores might be an option, but might be a bit chilly and wet that early in the year.
[URL]https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Azores#Climate[/URL]
But highly accessible from NA if your are willing to rough it there on SATA

If you want to stay in Europe itself then the south of Spain as Gaurav suggests is good, sunny and dry.
[URL]https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Costa_del_Sol[/URL]
Main area for the tourist part is Marbella and west to Gibraltar, further east thend to be more low rent/condo country if you will.
[URL]https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marbella[/URL]
Flight in are to Malaga Airport which have plenty of choice.
[URL=’https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/M%C3%A1laga_Airport’]https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Málaga_Airport[/URL]

Honorable mention should also be giving to the Algarve coast in Portugal, even if it’s strictly not on the Med. Not as good weather as Costa Del Sol, but still very nice.
[URL]https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Algarve[/URL]
Local airport is Faro, or a 2,5 to 3H drive from LIS. Trains take 3H
[URL]https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Faro_Airport[/URL]
Service by TP, LH and BA year around, plus AB and Aer Lingus with their all economy short haul planes.

What are you looking for in hotels [USER=522]@PhatMiles[/USER] ? Points, best deal, small boutique, etc?

Thank you very much [USER=79]@Gaurav[/USER] [USER=268]@No Name[/USER] [USER=184]@MidSouth Skier[/USER]
No Name – you have blown me away with info and I am glad that you did. 🙂
At the moment, I am considering towards the Med. But [USER=268]@No Name[/USER] has made me re think with his comment. Thank you every one.

[QUOTE=”No Name, post: 13648, member: 268″]Both [USER=79]@Gaurav[/USER] and [USER=184]@MidSouth Skier[/USER] have good suggestions.

But I would like to throw my hat in the ring so too speak and suggest a destination a bit more to the south namely Madeira. Not much a beach destination, but that should not matter this early in the year. Unlike the EU mainland most hotels have heated outdoor pools year round if you like the water.
[URL]https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Madeira[/URL]

TP has I think 5 or 6 daily flights with A320 from Lisbon and BA flies from Gatwick. Or it’s flown by the LCC subs of legacies like Transavia (KLM), Edelweiss (Swiss) or Air Berlin with their all Y short haul fleet. Not sure if Finnair is an option on an award due to the extra mileage up to HEL.
[URL]https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Madeira_Airport[/URL]

The Azores might be an option, but might be a bit chilly and wet that early in the year.
[URL]https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Azores#Climate[/URL]
But highly accessible from NA if your are willing to rough it there on SATA

If you want to stay in Europe itself then the south of Spain as Gaurav suggests is good, sunny and dry.
[URL]https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Costa_del_Sol[/URL]
Main area for the tourist part is Marbella and west to Gibraltar, further east thend to be more low rent/condo country if you will.
[URL]https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marbella[/URL]
Flight in are to Malaga Airport which have plenty of choice.
[URL=’https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/M%C3%A1laga_Airport’]https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Málaga_Airport[/URL]

Honorable mention should also be giving to the Algarve coast in Portugal, even if it’s strictly not on the Med. Not as good weather as Costa Del Sol, but still very nice.
[URL]https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Algarve[/URL]
Local airport is Faro, or a 2,5 to 3H drive from LIS. Trains take 3H
[URL]https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Faro_Airport[/URL]
Service by TP, LH and BA year around, plus AB and Aer Lingus with their all economy short haul planes.

What are you looking for in hotels [USER=522]@PhatMiles[/USER] ? Points, best deal, small boutique, etc?[/QUOTE]

Thank you very much. For the hotels, we are not super specific about high end properties. I do not have much hotel specific cards honestly. The days we do a lot if sightseeing I prefer to stick to budget friendly hotels. Few days when I want to calm down, I go to the nicer ones. I am always open to Airbnb.
To give you a sense, I have stayed at Boutique places in South Beach, Sheraton in KeyWest, Grand Hyatt in Mumbai, Airbnb in Los Angeles etc.

Well if you are willing to go outside the large US chains your options goes up.

Marbella

How does this go with your budget?
[URL]http://www.booking.com/hotel/es/vincci-estrella-del-mar-marbella.en-gb.html[/URL]

If you end up going to Marbella, I might have found a very good deal on another hotel on Priceline. Can send it in private message if you are interested?

[QUOTE=”No Name, post: 13674, member: 268″]Well if you are willing to go outside the large US chains your options goes up.

Marbella

How does this go with your budget?
[URL]http://www.booking.com/hotel/es/vincci-estrella-del-mar-marbella.en-gb.html[/URL]

If you end up going to Marbella, I might have found a very good deal on another hotel on Priceline. Can send it in private message if you are interested?[/QUOTE]
The above property is very much in my budget range. Please PM me as well.

Madeira

My favorite choice a bit out of Funchal sadly don’t have any available rooms until the 28.
[URL]http://www.booking.com/hotel/pt/choupanahills.en-gb.html[/URL]
[URL]http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g189167-d260894-Reviews-Choupana_Hills_Resort_Spa-Funchal_Madeira_Madeira_Islands.html[/URL]

And my backup hotel down in Funchal seems to be filling up also.
[URL]http://www.booking.com/hotel/pt/pestanacasinopark.en-gb.html[/URL]
[URL]http://www.pestana.com/en/hotel/pestana-casino-park[/URL]
[URL]http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g189167-d240878-Reviews-Pestana_Casino_Park_Hotel-Funchal_Madeira_Madeira_Islands.html[/URL]

Design hotels also have member in Funchal, sadly I have never had a chance to try it. Hoping it will be added to the Starwood marketing deal soon.
[URL]http://www.booking.com/hotel/pt/the-vine.en-gb.html[/URL]