I've convinced a girlfriend of mine to do a girls get away in the fall - we are 40's and she hasn't travelled a lot so something fun and interesting. I was thinking Iceland or Dublin. Any other suggestions that don't include the US and that has direct flights from Toronto. We'd like to be car free as well. We won't have loads of time to explore but that is ok with us. Suggestions?

Paris!

Lisbon x

Can you tell me a bit more about lisbon? I've been to Portugal but not much time lisbon and I wouldn't have thought of it.

Porto, Barcelona, Lisbon

London

Dublin is awesome and it's definitely possible to do Ireland without a car. I haven't been to Iceland but from what I've read, you may need a car there if you want to experience some of the more remote nature stuff.

London, Amsterdam, Barcelona, or Rome

Lisbon!!!! So amazing and great day trips available

Dublin is great and no car necessary. Actually ideal not to have a car there. A side trip to Galway is totally worth it.

Edinburgh, London, Paris, Amsterdam, Rome, Vancouver, St Johns NFLD, Havana

Good for you for not going to the US. I did the same and going on a cruise to Asia instead

Iceland is definitely better by car- so many amazing natural wonders to see, you'd for sure miss out by only staying in Reykjavik/ bus tours everywhere would be really costly. As someone whose been to both locations, both amazing spots but Dublin would for sure be easier without a car

Unfortunately if you're wanting to go car less Iceland won't be a good option for you. The only way to see Iceland is by driving for location to location. It's gorgeous and worth the drive however! Try London (air transit and west jet have cheap direct flights daily)

Havana was awesome for a long weekend

London, Edinburgh and surrounding areas. Tonnes to see, and any excursions can be done by day tours, such as Viatours.

Highly recommend Lisbon.

How long are you going? I would suggest wow air to Amsterdam or Copenhagen or Dublin. All 3 cities easy car free and with wow air you can add a stop over in Iceland for a few days in Reykjavik and do a bus tour of golden circle, maybe a treat to Blue lagoon. Doable in a week. A few days in Iceland the rest in the other city.

Www.villawanderlust.com connect with my gf Jaime MurphyJaime who owns & runs it ! Ultimate trip & she will plan it all ⚘

Seconding Lisbon! Depending on the time you have, you could do Porto and Sintra, too. It’s very walkable, the weather will be lovely, and it’s on the cheaper end of European countries to stay in.

went to Faro and Lisbon, Portugal with girlfriends last fall, it was amazing!!!

For beach/city getaway consider Barcelona, Faro (south of Portugal), Costa Rica

Dublin!!

Fly to Dublin, but go straight to Galway! Amazing city, lots to do and only a few hours on the train from Dublin

Need to hear more about lisbon!! Wasn't even on my radar for a girls wkd.

Okay, first of all, are you coffee drinkers? Espresso based drinks are EVERYWHERE. Parks have the cutest stands set up where you can buy it, and it’s about a euro. I started every day that way. It’s a pretty cosmopolitan city, so although there’s lots of seafood it was also easy to eat as a vegetarian. Hamburgers are suuuuuper popular there right now, too. The city overall is really laid back in feel, and really beautiful. There’s touristy stuff to do, but it’s also nice to just hang out there. Sintra is a day trip from there by train and it is gorgeous. I went in Mid-September and it was still very summery, but the nights were cooler. I was with my partner (who is a man), but I would’ve felt safe on my own, too. I’m taking my mom there next year.

Oh, and I’d make a point of a few days in Porto. I wish I had gone the first time.

When you say wkd? Do you mean 2 days? Or a 3 or 4 day long wkd? Going to Europe for 2 days is hardly worth it for 4 or 5 days leaving Thursday evening arriving Friday morning ( most flight are overnight) and leaving Tuesday would give you 4 full days ( Friday to Monday) Tuesday travel back.

4 nights

Now I want to go to Lisbon. Lol

I think Iceland is great as it's one of those places in the world where driving is not a chore. Just watching the amazing landscape makes it such a great place to explore.

Iceland is very expensive

Christin not really. I've had plenty of meals there in Reykjavik for about 15 to 25 per meal. That's not really expensive at all.

Also very dark and depressing in the fall.

Couldn't agree more! On tge easy wonderfully scenic drives in Iceland!

Iceland isn't really car free.. there are tours but they are really pricey.. the whole trip is really pricey. Dublin might be better for a car free girls trip

Iceland has a decent bus network, you don't have to rely on the expensive tours or car rentals, despite what everyone else is saying. If you want to hit the main highlights, you can easy do it via public transit, especially if you are camping! I'm currently on a three week trip, all via buses and having a blast.

Iceland is fully accessible if downtown and money for bus tours... truly 2 tours and a trip to blue lagoon and you will see amazing sites!!! Totally different than Dublin as one is party scene and shopping and other is totally an incredible outdoor experience

Lisbon or Porto would be amazing! You can get direct flights from Toronto and they are great to explore without a car. Check out this post with links to both cities (and others) for more info www.vivahappy.com/Portugal

Dublin is awesome. Great party city and easy to get to. Quick 6 hour plane ride. Airport is close to city. Do it!!!

I agree. I did this 2 years ago for a long wkd. It may need to be repeated given our time unless the other options are reasonable.

Leila have you decided? So many options.

You need more than four days in Europe. My suggestion......sip on a few drinks on the beaches in Barbados. Take in Oistins fish fry on a Friday evening, shopping in Bridgetown Saturday with a quick lunch by the bridge and back to a few drinks on the beach. Lots to see and do if it is only four days, Harrison Caves, swimming with the turtles, Visit the rum brewery, scuba diving in Holetowne, tour the island.

Hurricane season in September so don't want carribean. Also not big on beach trip. More of a city break.

If the Caribbean sounds good to you (shorter flights/no jetleg, sand, sea & sun), the ABC islands (Aruba, Bonaire & Curacao) are outside of the hurricane area and are amazing! You can go all-inclusive or get an airbnb place near the beach for more flexibility.
www.vivahappy.com/aruba
www.vivahappy.com/curacao

Car free means definitely not Iceland. Dublin is a small and boring city. A bigger city is your best bet. I think anywhere you go you should at least rent a car for 1-2 days to explore outside of the city if you can. Barcelona is a great choice. Lots to see and very transit accessible. Japan and Hong Kong are developed and have some of the best transit systems. Not sure if that's too out of your comfort zone but it's a great culture shock for anyone that wants to explore Asia but in a less sketchy way. Both pricier but lots to do and see. Depends on what you're into. Personally I don't like resorts but if so, Bahamas or Jamaica !

Japan’s a great option, def no need for a car there.

Thailand is stunning and easy to get around. The climate, variety of experience, culture, people and food are all exceptional!

Too far for such a short trip though

For 4 days - Cuba - Havana is possible or a resort in Varadero direct flight from Toronto, can find 4 nights all inclusive

London is so easy from Toronto and air canada does a day flight , Paris is an easy flight too. Enjoy!!

I second these two...or Amsterdam...you'd have plenty of time to see the whole city, lots of museums and probably a day trip to the country side if you wanted.

Amsterdam is walkable

I personally want to try this Naples Pizza Adventure some day! https://www.gadventures.com/trips/pizza-naples/EINN/

Do both, flights are super cheap from Dub to Kef

Azores!

Barcelona. Use the hopper app to find cheap flights too

I'm from Dublin and live in Toronto so biased but it is incredible. Lots of history amazing food( believe it or not) and obviously drinks! Its extremely walkable and people are friendly and warm. Iceland is amazing. I did a quick weekend there to meet my family halfway in March and again, Reykjavik very walk able but generally Iceland is more about the scenery and nature than the culture. Pretty pricey! wow air do a Toronto-Dublin flight that has a stop in Reykjavik for great $$ so recommend doing both. 2/3 days in Iceland is enough. 3/4 in Dublin would suffice but if you have longer do it.

Awesome advice! And on that note can you give me some tips on Dublin? Heading there 8/31.

Sure! What kinda of things do you like to do/ see/eat? There's an aircoach from airport to city centre drops off at /close to major hotels . It's about €13 each way or a taxi is about €35 so if more than one of you taxi cheaper quicker comfier option. Dublin is coastal and there's some lovely seaside villages along the dart( train) line(there's 3 stations in city centre-just google closest to hotel)for a little day trip, try Malahide,Howth or Dun Laoghaire or do all and just stay on dart southbound to Greystones for scenery. In city centre there's lots of walking tours and as I said very walkable so they would be my recommendation vs bus tours. A lot of local students guide them so they will give pointers for cheap eats/drinks! It will also help get bearings as it's not a city like Toronto or NY with a grid system!you could defo get lost but not for long as its small( and you'll find the best places that way anyway)Dublin ,by European standards is considered pricey but not as much so as TO in my opinion. Steer clear of temple bar for food and drink but for sure walk through on a fri or sat evening for the ahem, experience! George's st and South William st (which sorta run parallel) have lots of nice food drink options.

Oh yeah! Iceland!! Loved it!!!

Ciara, thank you so much for the info. We are actually staying in a hostel in Temple Bar and since booking it I have learned it is a tad expensive
. I still have time to cancel, alternative accommodation recommendations would be greatly appreciated.

Elisa honestly Temple Bar very central so in the daytime a very good option! May be a little noisy on weekend evenings but if you are ok with that then good option. There's a hostel in Smithfield about 6/7 mins on the Luas( streetcar) from city center called the Generator Hostel for something a little quieter but still v accessible!

Ok, that's what I thought! We always travel with earplugs, they come in handy when you're ready to call it a night. Especially on weekend nights in Reykjavik

Yes you're going to be fine! Especially when jetlag hits, then you won't even notice. Have an amazing trip!

Thanks a bunch

Pretty sure you can do a stopover in Iceland for a couple days, and continue on to Dublin on the same ticket,,,,,

Berlin

Berlin's my favorite city in the world. Second this!

The Azores

Following

Paris

..

If you’ve never been go to Dublin. Reasonable flight time, walkable city with tons of bars and restaurants. If Belfast is on the agenda it’s a short two hour train ride or you can hook up with a tour.

Berlin or Vienna

If you have not been to London, Paris or Rome ...any of these cities will be a life changing experience .....

Iceland hands down

Iceland would be awesome but you’d likely want to rent a car there; plus while flights are cheap, food & accommodations are really expensive.
I’d go with a city-stay in Dublin or Amsterdam... hop on/off bus pass, central hotel, etc.

YYZ Deals, best place to book trips at a great price.

Amsterdam is an easy flight. It is a compact city and a delight to visit.

Paris, some direct flight for less than $620

Portugal! Can fly direct to Lisbon or the Algarve (Faro)...

Yes, Lisbon or Porto or Faro. Can get there as cheap as $700 with air transat in sept/oct

For cities transit accessibility: Paris airport accessible thru bus..and train rides around the city very convenient , Rome accessible thru train from the airport then to Naples by train to Sorrento there's a hop on hop off bus that will take you to Amalfi coast, ,Lisbon accessible train from the airport if terminal 1 the Lagos if you want party, Porto, Caiscais, Sintra,or boat ride to Morroco or perhaps if you have 4 days maybe an all inclusive resort to Panama San Blas,Dominican Republic Punta Cana, happy travels

I've heard Iceland is amazing. and iceland air actually has amazing deals in Oct/Nov (the weather is cold though, obvi)- like $400 return flight.

Iceland is worth a visit and some icelandair packages offer good value but dining, drinking and car rentals are very expensive. Day tours are the same price as you would pay in other tourist destinations

For a four-night trip I don't think I'd go further east than Dublin. You'll lose too much time in transit & have a big time difference to adjust to.
Iceland if you have lots of money for tours- it's really magical! Dublin or Cork are both great Irish cities & your land costs will be much lower.
How about Newfoundland? St John's on a Saturday night would be fantastic for a girls' trip.

Iceland, you'll for sure want to rent a car.

Loved Iceland! Reykjavik is a great city full of great restaurants and bars and cafes and most beautiful. But you would need a rental car or go on an organized shuttle to see all of the sights outside the city. If you rent a car, most are stick shift to let you know.

I hear Iceland is very expensive but amazing.

Cheap to get there. Lots of great flight prices. Rented airbnb for great price right downtown. Food is very expensive is all. At airbnb can make your own breakfast and just be careful of where you eat out of on a tight budget. Lots of casual food cafes or sit down restaurants are at least $50 for entree and drink. You could cook in airbnb to save $$$ or just get food at take out. Lots of variety of food choices.