Just looked through all the replies including my own and will have to do my bit for Irish tourism and my home county. Flights from Luton or Stansted into Kerry. Hire a car and spend a couple of days exploring Killarney, Dingle, the ring of Kerry. Obviously I am in a good place to make suggestions re itinerary, hotels, restaurants, etc. Maybe not the most exotic location but depends on what you are looking for.
Not strictly a city but fly cheapo to Pisa, see the leaning tower ( the rest of Pisa is forgettable) and the whizz to the coast and stay at the hotel Byron in Forti di Marmi - a truly wonderful village by the sea. The food is to die for, the scenery beautiful and the people welcoming. It's my 'secret' getaway with mrs WBA
Shepherds Bush. Background vibe: exotic, multicultural. Shopping: where else can you visit a souk-like market and a giant shopping mall in the space of 10 minutes? Cuisine: where else can you have pie & mash, halal kebabs, Wimpy style burgers (remember those?), fish & chips and felafal without walking more than 200 yards? Entertainment: where else can you catch a movie, see the world's best footballers and take a tube to the opera in a single day?
If you got the money, Los Angeles. People slate it, but I loved it. Places like Venice and Malibu have great beaches, and contrary to what people this, Americans have some good bars along the boardwalks. If you get bored, jump on the Amtrak from Grand Central Station $20 return will get you to the Mexican border and you can spend the day in Tijuana (not to mention the train practically runs on the beach and it's an amazing view watching the sun set over the pacific). Word of advice, steer clear of Inglewood or Compton and don't bother with Hollywood. It's kind of seedy, and there are better things to see.
One I've just recently discovered although it's been on my doorstep all my life; Belfast! Been there four times already this year, and the kids absolutely love it. What's it got? Titanic, Transport and Ulster Museums, murals, interface bus tours, birthplace of Van the man, George Best and Alex Higgins, and a very compact and friendly central area that never fails to invigorate. Belfast-born neighbours of mine tell me that it's not quite so wonderful if you're actually living there, but for a short break I would choose nowhere else.
So many places - and all depends on what you are looking for - Paris for being Paris, a beautiful city to walk around, with great food - avoiding the tourist traps, and excellent people watching opportunities. Easy to get to on the Eurostar, and if you can splash the cash then travel in Leisure Select (more expensive but affordable) as this just makes the journey part of the trip. Krakow is good for a short stay - easy to digest in one weekend, without being too small, medieval/gothic architecture, with excellent unpretentious nightlife. If you delay the trip for a couple of months the christmas markets will be on, and there will be lashings and lashing of Polish Mulled Wine (for some reason they make it better than we do!) If you like Spain, but want to avoid the big guns, Valencia is beautiful and that would be my choice - home of the Paella, and lots of other great spanish food, with lots of interesting cool shops to look around. It's small enough to get to grips, and has everything that Barcelona has but for me is better - it feels much more Spanish. The buildings are beautiful and you have a great mix of narrow windy streets, that open up onto stunning plazas. The market is beautiful and the regional food is top notch. If budget itsn't an issue (blow the boat kind of stuff) then check out Kirker Holidays (these guys are the best for European city breaks, but seriously expensive) for hotels, but even so, it may help you narrow down the city choice.
As other have said by other really depends what your after relaxing or sight seeing or a mixture. As nobody has said it so far, New York is great and still not too far for a weekend break, the only City I've been to which is actually as I imagined it to.
3 or 4 days, got to be Europe, though New York possible and highly recommended. We are lucky with the number of beautiful places within 3 hours flight. Rome - Hotel Dei Mellini, in Prati, walking distance to both Vatican and Spanish Steps, but a real 'local' zone. Was there with the family 3 weeks ago. As is Trastevere, with a bit more youthful feel and great bars. Agree with Imaz and WBA, it's difficult to go wrong in Italy, but if Mrs Nines likes shops, go for the bigger cities. From Verona (beautiful in itself) it's an easy train ride into Venice, which can be a bit claustrophobic ( but brilliant off the tourist track). http://hoteldeimellini.hotelinroma.com/ Madrid, Lisbon, Vienna, Amsterdam (try the Indonesian food), Lyons, Berlin (for the avant garde), Vienna, Prague, Paris, Budapest, Copenhagen......we really are spoilt for choice. Istanbul is also a truly outstanding city. I'll stop before I get into full Alan Whicker mode....have a great time wherever you go.
Come to Madrid - the weather is perfect now (the heat has gone but still warm 27 - 30 C) Great food, bars, culture and always something going on. The sales are on in the big department stores, your missus might like a bit of retail therapy. Better than Barcelona IMO, there is no beach but definitely not as many tourists!!!! - visit Toledo and Segovia both 90 mins away both world heritage sites...I think. Very Clean and Safe like London 30 years ago!!!. BA fly direct from Heathrow and not that expensive.
Two options I can think of; 1) Paris is great for a weekend away. People aren't rude, as was stated above...unless you walk around with an arrogant attitude and assume that everyone here should speak English, and complain that some of the food is different (believe me, I've seen people like that.)...it's great. Main plus is that for a weekend you can hop on a train after work on Friday and be eating steak frites in the heart of Paris only three hours later. If you want Paris...PM me and I can give you some more tips. 2) Lucca is a small town just outside of Pisa. Easy train to Pisa or Florence. Beautiful town with wonderful restaurants, lovely place just to go and stroll around, eat ice-cream on the old wall, and chill out.
