Suggestions for a European holiday, please.

We love walking in the Northern parts of Portugal, it's beautiful, different to the UK, and full of surprises. Harry Potter's Porto as well.

Madrid is fantastic, the museums, the food (churros, tapas, soups), the wine. Our children loved the ham.

Prague is lovely for walking as is Budapest - nice together, we really enjoyed the trip between the two.

Riga has lovely architecture, horrible Russian flats - fascinating.

Berlin is fabulous.
Dublin too.
😊

Split and Dubrovnik, Croatia. And we loved Lubjana (and I still can't spell it) last May.

The Greek island of Santorini. Spectacular volcanic landscape. I went in June and it was hot but not unbearably so.... plenty of sea breezes, a fabulous historical site to rival Pompeii, boat trips across the sea-filled caldera to the island.

And wonderful Sicily- my favourite part being the South West- the area around Syracuse- Ortigia, Scicli, Modica, Noto-

Montalbano country, for those who enjoyed the series.

Venice is my favourite place in the world. Seville is also fabulous.

Oh yes Sparklefizz Santorini is breathtaking.

Yes, Seville with a trip to Cordoba.

Part or parts of El Camino de Santiago in northern Spain? It starts in St Jean Pied de Port in France in the foothills of the Pyrenees and you can pick it up from there or indeed anywhere along the route.
Also Bilbao is a wonderful city with lots to explore on foot and/or, if you're a bit of a foodie, San Sebastián. Both cities are very walkable especially if you want to get the best out of them.

Anywhere in Austria or Italy.
Sorrento is especially lovely.

Madeira would be lovely at that time of year. Lovely walks around the island, but it is hilly.

The Amalfi coast is stunning.

February might not bring any sunshine wherever you go, so for me Amsterdam with its canals and architecture.
Santorini sounds like a good choice for May. I've never done the Greek Islands myself.
Enjoy your search!

Seville and Cordoba, it's easy to get a train from Seville to Cordoba. We did 2 nights in the latter, so much to see amazing Moorish architecture. Have been in both October and March mid to late twenties. Cordoba is the hottest place in Spain so February may be quite warm. Both are wonderful cities.

Slovenia is beautiful. The walks around Lake Bled are lovely. We liked the Italian lakes too. Did lots of hiking walking around Lake Garda. It's very hilly but the scenery is fantastic.

Thank you for your ideas. It has made me realize that I had already visited several European cities, 45 or so years ago.
I had completely forgotten what I had done before the family having a second home in the Alpes and then …

Thoroughly recommend Tbilisi in Georgia. I went for a wedding and had no particular expectations as I didn't really consider it a holiday as such. Tbilisi is a beautiful city and very manageable. There's an excellent public transport system but the city is compact enough for you to be able to walk from one end to the other in a couple of hours. There's an interesting mix of historical buildings, soviet concrete brutalism and some wonderful contemporary architecture. There's also a fascinating flea market with tons of soviet memorabilia and chandeliers! In the mountains surrounding the city there are easy walks with spectacular views. Georgia is not an expensive destination which is a bonus. The food is also excellent with some lovely restaurants in picturesque locations just outside the city. There are no crowds of tourists either. I was only there for 6 days but am returning in March for a week or two.

You are so lucky with all these lovely places nearby. That is the trouble with Australia, it isn’t that close to anywhere except New Zealand which is nice but not the variety of Europe.

Unless you’re a sun seeker, Poland’s great for a short break - Gdańsk, Wrocław or Krakow. They’re so atmospheric and beautiful in the snow, and the warming comfort food is so good. I saw wolves streaking across the fields on our way back from visiting Auschwitz and the salt mines in February, which is one of my best memories.

Chapeau I tried going to Georgia but it was invaded 2019, before I booked.

nanna8 I enjoyed my 5 trips to Australia but I feel the health insurance will be too expensive now, that is why I am sticking to the euro zone.

I am thinking somewhere warm for March.

Cape Verde offers walking holidays & warm at that time of year.
I'll second Madeira
Then my favourite - La Palma - the small Canary islands with 2 separate climates - North & South of the island so different & so beautiful. Interesting plants & history going back to cave dwellings - some still lived in.

What about the Basilicata area - based maybe in Matera but visiting the surrounding areas?
Matera:
Rupestrian churches,
Cave dwellings
13th century duomo
Art galleries
Restaurants etc
Then:
Bernalda - where Copola has his family home (now also a very pricey hotel). A friendly town (with one of my favourite restaurants!)
Temple in Metaponto near the coast.

Further afield there's national parks, a thermal spa, and other delights. Pistici is a nice small straightforward and friendly town. Aliano is where Carlo Levi was exiled (he has artwork in a gallery in Matera) and then Maratea with a coast like the Amalfi but where many Italians choose to holiday.
Lots to see and extraordinary landscapes. So unusual they filmed the Temptation of Christ here. - oh yes, and the deserted town, Craco which you can visit with a guide.

Here are some ruins:
www.inspirock.com/italy/ancient-ruins-in-province-of-matera

I haven't been but Cappadocia is on my "would like to visit" list

What a lovely thread - its got me thinking about holidays again.
Croatia has just adopted the Euro too.