At this time of year, Cinque Terre should not be as overcrowded as it generally is. Beautiful scenery, magnificent views, good food. Not too far from ZH - you would probably have to drive or go by train but it's not that far. If you need a recommended self-catering accommodation, please send a private EM.

Check out destinations/hotels and deals on www.lastminute.com / www.voyage-prive.com.uk / www.groupon.com - usually some great deals. You can search by location then its just a case of sorting transport.

thx Sheila, didn't know about that region before but looks like it could be worth it and easily doable from zurich!

Anthony thx for the suggestion, but i've been on lastminute already and that doesn't help as i'm trying to find where is inexpensive to travel to- once i find that then i can use those for cheap hotels but the expensive bit is the travel itself and hence the asking for suggestions of where to go and/or how to get there that might be less known or cheaper than flights going for 700 francs :)

cheers for the ideas so far anyways! 

Ah then you could look on www.skyscanner.net and just key in random destinations and see how much the cost would be to fly there or check easyjet.com as they are normally cheapest.

Lake Como, with a side trip to Bellagio via water taxi or bus.  Como is reachable via train from Milan.  Lodging in Bellagio might not be cheap but if you can find a way to get across the lake to Gera Lario, I can give a five star recommendation for the Albergo.

All of the lakes in this region and many of the villages are picture-postcard worthy.

here's the best thing you can do. fly to ny and take the queen mary2 on jan 3rd back to the uk.

7 days of the most amazing 5 star service. 540$ everything included in a balcony room.

and 300$ free credit on your card for on board purchases. drinks, and anything else you purchase on board.

Package AI trip to Caribbean... Last minute dot com.

Epicure: Do you have a link for that offer?

i have it at home. i'll send it later on. i was on that cruise last jan. it was totally amazing

http://book.cruise-pros.com/travel/cruise/search.rvlx?cruise_day1=&portid=0&DestinationID=38&cruise_month=1&cruise_year=2014&cruise_duration=0-9999&VendorID=17

too late all the 500$ cabins are sold. but last week it was still available.

check back again

thanks to all for the suggestions! Charlie- dunno if i'm being thick but don't understand the 'Al' in your post? Since my dates are only from 31 - 6th i was looking for somewhere close-ish so that i don't spend to much time travelling so carribean might be too for for a shortish getaway. 

really appreciate the input from everyone though, cheers! 

AI = all inclusive????

Happy end of year, dears Charlie and G! Missing you all from Cheeseland :)

doh! i was wondering what an artificial intelligence trip to the carribean would be like... 

Oh well that could also be AI = Appenzell Ausserrhoden

Great place for holidays, only problem its cold.

AI = a pool full of piss coz its "all inclusive" and people sit at the pool bar and get drunk all day without moving...

ok...maybe I didnt sell it quite so well, but anyway theyre normally cheap(ish) ... and 6 or 7 hrs on a plane aint so bad...

Happy end of year to you too Wanessa xxx

aha, so it's an Alcoholicths Inonymuth trip then 

W- happy hols to you auch :)