Top Destinations: City Breaks

Amsterdam

Thousands of tourists flock to enjoy city breaks in Amsterdam each year and despite its small size the Dutch capital has a huge number of attractions to inspire and entertain visitors. Dam Square, located at the very heart of the city is a great place to start exploring. As well as being home to Koninklijk Palace where the Dutch royal family once lived, the square is also the location of the impressive National Memorial statue. A short walk from here is the Red Light district which may not be to everyone's taste but is an important part of the Amsterdam city break experience. As well as plenty of adult entertainment this part of the city, which has existed since the 14th century, is also one of architectural beauty.

Those on city breaks in Amsterdam should also take time out to visit its three major museums, the Rijksmuseum, Stedelijk Museum and the Van Gogh Museum. Beer enthusiasts are also urged to squeeze in a trip to the Heineken Brewery where you can sample the delights of one of Holland's finest exports. The compact urban hub can be explored in a short space of time by foot or bike and with its distinctive 17th century canal network and beautiful buildings it cannot fail to charm.

Copenhagen

Copenhagen offers the ideal destination if you’re looking for a city break in a vibrant Scandinavian city. A city break in Copenhagen is a great opportunity to visit one of Europe’s most celebrated cities and realise there is much more than meets the eye. An iconic harbour, award winning design, unique art galleries, superior shopping and a lively nightlife, you’ll get the most from your city break by starting in the city centre. Most of Copenhagen’s sites can be enjoyed in one visit. Public transportation such as the Metro (one of the best in the world), trains, and busses make for easy getting around but ultimately walking and cycling are your best bets.

The city's collection of designer bars, chic restaurants, live music and clubs are topnotch and for something a little different hop across the canal to Christianshavn. Walk through the gates of the Free City of Christiania home to bohemians. No cars, no taxes, but plenty of alternative and interesting bars and cafés to explore.
 

Munich

Munich, the Global City with a heart, is one of the most beautiful, culture-rich destinations for a city break. Located on the River Isar, north of the Bavarian Alps, the city itself dates back to the 11th century. With so much to see and do, Munich has grown in popularity as a city break destination over the last decade and ranks amongst the top ten cities in the world for quality of life. The city has a thriving economy, and it is a major cultural centre with numerous museums and galleries to visit. It is also a vibrant cosmopolitan melting pot that has given the world one of the most exhilarating annual festivals - the incomparable Oktoberfest.

Begin your Munich city break by visiting the city square “Marienplatz”, where the old and new town halls are situated. It is the ideal spot for those looking to shop and people-watch and once you are feeling relaxed and refreshed, a visit to Maximillianstrasse is a must. Expect traditional German fare throughout the Altstadt (Old Town), and casual bistros in the trendy Schwabing district, near the University of Munich. Lunch at least once at Munich's Viktualienmarkt on your city break. Buy some cheese and bread, then order a beer and eat with the locals at a picnic table.

After wandering Munich's Altstadt, continue your Munich city break at the world-class Alte Pinakothek art museum to see the beautiful work of early Dutch artists. Or take in the scientific masterpieces at the Deutsches Museum. Unearth automotive history at the BMW Museum and brewing at Munich's Beer and Oktoberfest Museum. If your kids are with you on your weekend break, then take them to see the Indian elephants at Hellabrunn Zoo.
 

Paris

For weekend city breaks Paris is one of the best possible destinations. It's sufficiently different from other European cities to make a trip there seem like a real holiday. Paris is also a very easy city to get around which makes it a good option for a short city or weekend break. If you're used to the London Underground, the Paris Metro will come as a very pleasant surprise, as it's quick, convenient, clean and inexpensive. There's also a good bus system and a commuter train service (the RER). However, if you're not in a hurry to get anywhere, you could join the many tourists who prefer to take in the atmosphere by strolling around.

Barcelona

For those with a sense of style, a city break in Barcelona offers a feast for lovers of city culture and art, nightlife, excellent food and architecture both old and new. Few city break destinations worldwide have combined such historic treasures and modernity so beautifully. Barcelona is a cultured mishmash of the old and new and with the exceptional range and variety of fascinating sites and attractions, there is definitely plenty to see and do on your Barcelona city break. For shopaholics, Barcelona is home to chic boutiques, designer stores, and for those looking for a bargain, beautiful covered markets. No matter what your up for, all Barcelona city breaks will gravitate around the famous Ramblas and fun-to-watch street entertainers!

With traditional bars, a busy cultural programme and some of the classiest and most cosmopolitan nightlife in Spain, those of you in search of a lively city break will find Barcelona brimming full of entertainment and culture. Why not spend the evening exploring trendy bars and swish nightclubs in characterful neighbourhoods like Gràcia, the Born, La Ribera and El Raval? If you happen to be a history-buff, an afternoon of exploring the historic gems of the Barri Gotic, followed by a tour of Gaudi’s extraordinary ceramic creations in Parc Guel or the modernist architectural gems in Eixample should definitely be on your to-do list.

With excellent public transport services, Barcelona city breaks are hassle free and even short weekend breaks enable you to fit lots of site-seeing into your itinerary. Barcelona also has an excellently mild climate, making it an ideal city break destination any time of the year. Obviously, if you are planning your city break during the summer, you will no doubt include a trip to one of Barcelona’s many beaches on your to-do list. On top of this, you won’t have to worry about your precious holiday time being wasted eating bland aeroplane food. The flight time to Barcelona from the UK is short and sweet and there are plenty of flight deals and special offers to be had on a regular basis. Simply put, Barcelona makes for an ideal city break
 

Berlin

Berlin is one of the three most popular city break destinations in Europe. Visitors on a city break to Berlin will experience the vibrancy of the new exciting Berlin mixed with the moving history of Berlin and the re-united Germany. On a city break in Berlin you can go shopping in Berlins elaborately restored Hackesche Höfe courtyards or on Ku’damm and the famous KaDeWe department store. There are many museums and galleries on Museum Island and other cultural sites such as the East-side gallery or imposing modern architectural sites such as Potsdamer Platz. It also offers fantastic nightlife for every age. Further Berlin offers more hotel beds than Manhattan, which makes competition among the hoteliers high and results in low room rates.

Madrid

Why not get acquire an authentic taste for old Spain on a city break to Madrid? Amongst the finery of the grand squares and palaces in the Centro, Sol and Austrias areas of this spectacular city you will be in heaven. Or be close to the party nightlife in Huertas' trendy streets and for a more exclusive but pricier city break in Madrid, choose the upmarket Salamanca or Retiro districts. Gay people head for the vibrant and stylish Chueca area and for the younger visitors and locals, Malasaña is the best bet. You can explore a variety of art galleries, from the Prado Museum to Reina Sofia Art Museum, which are a must for Madrid short breaks, as are the cool cafes of Sol, where visitors can while away the time watching the world go by.

Prague

Of all the holiday types one can envision, taking short city breaks in Prague makes the most logical sense. Prague does not disappoint with her extensive architectural gems tucked like little surprises in every nook and corner, with music wafting in the air as sweet as angels singing, with the handmade authentic Czech goodies she peddles. A city break in Prague is like standing on the threshold of a door. Step through it and you will enter the nostalgic and quaint ages of old. On the other side, modernity awaits you with open arms. Such an exquisitely beautiful blend of the best of both worlds!

City breaks in Prague must not be planned diligently. Not too short as with any city in Europe that is so richly loaded with history and tradition. If you intend to do full justice to a city as magnificent in meaning as Prague, you need to have a minimum of 3-4 city breaks. Your understanding and appreciation of her finer points would be wholesome. Remember to invest in a detailed city map as it is quite plausible you might get so enraptured in the natural beauty that you may forget where you’re going and we don’t want you to end up losing your way. A good idea would be to always be in comfortable pumps and refer to 2 publications as your bibles- the Prague Post, a daily and Prague in Your Pocket, a bi-monthly publication to keep you abreast of the most happening events around town.

A meticulously planned city break in Prague, unveiling each of her marvels on every trip, is truly a wonderful and gratifying treat to your soul.
 

Rome

Rome offers the ideal destination if you’re looking for a city break in Europe. It is rated one of the top ten cities for a city break worldwide. A city break in Rome is a great opportunity to visit one of the world’s most famous and celebrated cities, with magnificent ancient buildings, fantastic art works and a vibrant nightlife. Once in Rome, try not to plan to see all the sights. It's not possible to appreciate all the city has to offer in one visit, and you'll need at least two or three city breaks to Rome to make any headway. An alternative approach to enjoying city breaks in Rome is to explore the city by chance. Although the historic centre is fairly small, there are lots to see: lovely bridges, piazzas, fountains, castles, gardens, churches and museums will all reveal themselves to you as you wander. You'll need a good map on you, though - it's easy to get side tracked and lose yourself entirely.

Venice

For a romantic city break, Venice's charm has been attracting visitors for centuries. Autumn is the best time to visit Venice on a city break as the number of tourists is much lower than in the summer, meaning there is more space to discover the unseen beauties. Venice is a truly remarkable city with its wealth of magnificent buildings, many of them housing priceless works of art.;

Weekends in Venice

A weekend in Venice is the ultimate dream getaway, despite the incredibly high visitor numbers, a weekend in Venice can still be a calm and relaxing experience. Whether it is simply chilling out in one of its waterfront cafes or chatting and drinking coffee with locals in a bustling piazza, you can even soak up the sunshine on the famous beach strip of the Lido. Weekends in Venice are a great way to take a break from the busy life.

Vienna

Vienna is a city that lives well and its people are some of the happiest with their quality of life in the world. The city screams luxurious surroundings, good service and fine dining, so where better to experience a city break than in Vienna? Featuring endless museums, housing relics from the world over and a city that has traditions dating back to the 15th century, Vienna is a stunning city break destination. Accommodation can be founded in the swishiest 5-star hotels for very reasonable prices or you can rent your own apartment and experience what it’s like to live in one of the world’s happiest cities for yourself.

Athens

Athens is a perfect destination for a city break, and even if you only have a few days to spare, the relatively compact historic centre means that you can still experience the main attractions of Athens and discover many of the iconic archaeological treasures that draw so many international tourists to this unique city. Athens has an unrivalled collection of ancient monuments and temples, including the unmistakable Parthenon, as well as superb museums and art galleries, medieval churches, smart shopping areas and of course, some of the very best Greek restaurants and tavernas to be found anywhere. If you have more time for your city break to Athens, you can make the city your base for exploring the surrounding areas, such as the seaside resorts further down the coast, the medieval Dafni Monastery to the north, the ruins of ancient Eleusis and, the beautiful countryside of the Attic peninsula or perhaps one or two of the nearby islands such as Aegina or Hydra.

Moscow

The overflowing culture, vibrant nightlife and world-class mix of hotels and restaurants, makes for an idyllic city break in Moscow. Whether you wish to stay at a top-class hotel or just want somewhere cheap to enjoy a romantic holiday, the perfect city break is Moscow. Hotels can be sourced from as low as €20 per night and the city has a wealth of markets, shops, restaurants and bars to make the time fly by. City breaks in Moscow are particularly recommended for the chance to experience a different way of life, whilst staying within Europe. If you're a Duty Free enthusiast, Russia also ticks a lot of bonus boxes to boot.

Beirut

The compact size and vibrant lifestyle of Beirut make it ideal for a short city break. In terms of exploring the city, some of the sights to fit into your city break in Beirut include the Statue of the Martyrs, the awe-inspiring Al-Amin Mosque with its stunning ottoman-style architecture and decoration, the fascinating Roman baths, and the Lebanon National Museum. Or, you may just want to chill out on your city break in Beirut and take a stroll along the Corniche or do some people-watching at one of Beirut's many bars and cafes.

If you are feeling a bit more active, you may even find the time on your city break to Beirut to head a little way outside of the city. There are many fabulous sights on the outskirts of Beirut, such as the Jeita Caves - an extraordinary network of limestone caves only half an hour's journey from the city - or the Casino du Liban in Jounieh, which was the playground of the rich and famous in the 1960s.

A city break in Beirut will also give you the opportunity to sample some fabulous restaurants and nightlife. Beirut is famous for its delicious Mezze, and there are hundreds of restaurants to choose from serving this Lebanese speciality. Going out to bars and nightclubs also shouldn't be missed on a city break to Beirut: try the clubs in the Gamayzah district or the Rue Monet for some of the best parties in town.

Dubai

City Break in Dubai

Dubai is an excellent option for a city break. With so much to see and do, you can combine your city break with a few hours on the beach , playing golf or on a desert safari. Splash out on your Dubai city break and shop for jewellery in Deira's gold souk or designer gear at the largest shopping mall in the world - Dubai Mall. History buffs on city breaks to Dubai can delve into Dubai's past in the Bastakiya quarter. If food is your passion, treat yourself to Dubai's fine dining on a gastronomic city break in Dubai.

New York

New York was meant for city breaks or weekend getaways. With 3 major airports servicing the city, it is very easy to book discounted weekend fares to New York any time of the year. Taking a city break in New York is a dream since the city is full of so many cultural and artistic events such as museums, shows, concerts, exhibits, and performances. Travellers on a New York City break are also provided with an endless amount of national landmarks and historical sites to visit. And to wind down the day during your city break to New York, visitors can enjoy fabulous food and restaurants as well as a dynamic nightlife. A city break in New York will undoubtedly lead to many more return visits... there’s no way to do it all in one city break!

Miami

Downtown Miami, with its futuristic skyscrapers and neon lights, is a vibrant and exhilarating place to go for your city break in Miami. You can really feel the Hispanic influence on the streets here and you certainly won't be short of cultural activities. Plus, it's a great place to take in Miami's metropolitan nightlife and excellent shopping opportunities and make the most of your city break.

For cultural experiences, make sure you check out the Mediterranean-style Metro-Dade Cultural Center on your city break in Miami. It includes the Miami Art Museum, specialising in international contemporary art, and the Historical Museum of Southern Florida which has a great series of exhibits looking at 10,000 years of Florida's history. And, no city break in Miami would be complete without a visit to the Latin American Art Museum, which showcases contemporary Latin American artists and really gives you a flavour of the cultural mix that is Miami.

If shopping is an important part of your city break in Miami, then don't miss the Bayside Marketplace - a funky shopping, entertainment and dining centre where you'll also be able to hop on a boat trip around Biscayne Bay to take in the sights.

What's more, you're never a million miles away from one of Miami's famous beaches, so a city break in Miami can really give you the best of both worlds.

Las Vegas

Las Vegas is the most popular destination for a city break in the United States. There are always special deals and discounts for flight and hotel bookings for a quick city break or weekend getaway to Las Vegas. Many packages also include discounts to entertainment events whilst on your city break. With so many casinos, shows, concerts, exhibits, and nightclubs, you’ll likely have to plan for several city breaks to truly experience the whole of Las Vegas.

Many visitors after spending a couple city breaks on The Strip often opt to exploring the local side of Las Vegas life. Hollywood movies and bestselling books have made local spot’s like Dino’s Lounge, White Cross Drugs, the Neon Boneyard, and the Peppermill into iconic experiences that have come to define Las Vegas. Las Vegas is also known for hosting many star-studded events during the weekends – perfect for a city break getaway. If you do your homework and plan your city break in Las Vegas well, you’ll be surprised at all the fun you can have in such a short time. Make sure to stick to your plan as there are many alluring distractions waiting for you.

Bangkok

City breaks in Bangkok are a wonderful way to discover the amazing metropolis. It is arguably the most interesting city in South East Asia. Bangkok is a cultural phenomenon, a shopping heaven and a tourist treasure. A vibrant and always smiling city with more than 10 million people, Bangkok has a wide range of adventurous activities, sight seeing opportunities, an exotic culinary experience to enjoy. You can spend your city break in Bangkok touring the gleaming sights from many temples and palaces. Enjoy a shopping experience like no other. Bangkok has many mega shopping malls, street markets, weekend markets and floating (water) markets full of products from around the world. You could buy anything from solid gold earrings to a fake Rolex to a pet monkey.

Other activities on offer include a the famous Thai kickboxing contests, a ladyboy cabaret show, nights out in neon lit streets full of bars or an exotic feast of Thai cuisine in one of many superb restaurants scattered around the city.

You can expect an action packed, hot and humid city break in Bangkok but if this is not what you fancy then don’t worry. You can easily take a back seat and enjoy one of the peaceful spa hotels designed for tranquillity and peace of mind or take long lazy boat trips down the Chao Phraya River with a traditional Thai massage to end the evening.

Hong Kong

Hong Kong offers the ideal destination if you’re looking for a city break in a vibrant, fast paced city with amazing outlying islands to explore. Hong Kong makes for a great opportunity to a ride a tram and enjoy a bird's eye view of the city from Victoria Peak or take a scenic hike overlooking the South China Sea. One of the most celebrated cities in Asia you will find Chinese temples, a stunning harbour, endless shopping, sky high buildings and a lively nightlife. Hong Kong Island can be taken in in one visit and public transportation is efficient and cheap. Most of the main tourist sites can be reached by foot but dress for the weather (especially typhoon season) and take along a good map. You will, however, need at least a few days to take in the best of all Hong Kong.