Author: chelseadickenson

Easter is not just about chocolate. It’s also about having TWO bank holidays, making getting away all that much sweeter.

Of course, everyone else has had the same idea and so if you’re looking for a last minute holiday, things are looking a liiiiiittle bit pricey. Therefore, I’ve had a quick peruse (okay fine I spent the whole of last night doing this) and rustled up some options for you. Please note that prices may go up by the time you click through but my advice is to buy sooner rather than later!

For all of these, do remember it’s EASTER! And therefore you may well find that attractions and transport services don’t run as usual so do check all of this before you book.

THE CITY BREAK

Where?

Copenhagen

When?

3 nights: Fri 30th March – Mon 2nd April – From £84

2 nights: Saturday 31st March – Mon 2nd April – From £84

(Flights above show Fri – Mon option from London Stansted)

What about from the rest of the UK?

Edinburgh – From £146 for Fri 30th March – Sun 1st April

Manchester – From £200 for Fri 30th March – Sun 1st April

Where should I stay?

I’m surprised to find so many decent options still available so get on trivago and have a browse.

To whet your appetite, here’s what I’d go for:

Copenhagen Strand Hotel

• 4 star
• Super central – right next to Nyhavn
• Great ratings
• £99 a night via Hotels.com (plus you’ll earn two nights in loyalty points – reach 10 and you’ll get a free night stay somewhere!)

Total cost

From £184 per person (based on 2 sharing for 2 nights)

Why Copenhagen?

Great food, great architecture and bloody lovely people. I recommend checking out Torvehallerne food market, Kanal Cafeen for smørrebrød and Tivoli for the world’s most aesthetically pleasing amusement park!

THE EPIC TRIP

Where?

San Francisco, baby!

When?

7 nights: Weds 28th March – Weds 4th April

London Gatwick to Oakland

Thinking ‘jeez that’s cheap, what’s the catch’ – well, that would be the luggage and your meals. Or lack of it I should say. £315 gets you 1 x 10kg hand luggage but hear me out – THIS IS DOABLE! In fact, I did a 6 day trip to San Francisco last year with just a small holdall and it was also full of recording kit (I was there for work).

As for food, pack a Pret for your first snack and then just buy what you fancy on board.

To add in a checked bag and meals, it will cost you an extra £100 which you may decide is worth it.

What about from the rest of the UK?

No bueno – unless you fancy shelling out £650! You can definitely get better deals at other points in the year.

Where should I stay?

So, here’s the touchy bit. San Francisco ain’t cheap. It’s not even close. But here’s an option I found.

Please note that you can often get caught out by taxes and fees in the US so DOUBLE CHECK before you book anything!

San Remo Hotel

• 2 star – old skool style with a shared bathroom but it’s always featured in lists compiled of the best but good value rooms in the city
• Short walk to Fisherman’s Wharf but not too far from the centre either!
• Great ratings
• £102.86 a night (avg) including city tax via Hotels.com (plus you’ll earn seven nights in loyalty points – reach 10 and you’ll get a free night stay somewhere!)
• £360 each based on 2 people sharing

Also…

When I visited San Francisco last year, the prices of hotels were through the roof. So, instead I booked using a website called hotwire where all you know is the star rating, the hotel facilities and a vague idea of what the rating is.

One year on, I see that they’ve actually added in a button that reveals which four hotels it will be between – HELPFUL (though I personally think that’s less fun – HA).

This option works out at $162.75 a night (once you add in taxes) = £117 a night WHICH means if you got any of the above you would:

Inn at Union Square – save £747.46

Villa Florence Hotel – save £233

Hotel Rex San Francisco – save £548

Handlery Union Square Hotel – £215.70

(Based on the best rates I found using trivago).

My advice if you do this is to stick to rooms that have a good recommendation rating. Priceline also offers this option – and for future knowledge, so does lastminute!

Total cost

From £667 per person (based on 2 sharing for 7 nights)

Why San Francisco?

Great food, loads to see and do, though don’t be thinking it will be hot, hot, hot just because it’s California. San Francisco’s average temp around this time is 17 degrees and it also has its own microclimates all over the city – you’ll be basking in the sunshine and then 10 minute down the road need to pull on a jumper. It’s bizarre!

It’s worth noting that there is a massive homeless problem in the city – I visited last March and I didn’t let it put me off though I was wary of travelling (on my own) of an evening. I’d also avoid the area of Tenderloin – it’s very close to Union Square (and many hotels are on the cusp).

But I can’t end on a downer – I LOVED IT when I visited. Especially the Mission District (incredibly cool shops, cafes and bars) and Haight Ashbury for the hippie love and interesting characters.

As always, let me know if you book – or why not tell me where you’d love to visit, and I’ll keep my eyes open for you…

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All prices accurate as of 17/03/2018