With a cleverly planned city break, you can really make the most of your weekend. There are so many amazing European destinations within just a couple of hours’ flight time from the UK, with more than enough sights and attractions to fill two, three, or even four days. Choosing the right flight times is key to maximising your European city break, leaving as early as you can on the first day and catching the last flight home on your final day. Here are some of our tried and trusted favourites.
Oslo
Highly recommended by some of our team, Norway’s capital is a brilliant blend of old and new. Its newly developed docks have lovely canals, colourfully painted houses, a seawater fjord pool with diving boards, a city beach outside the Opera House, and the distinctive MUNCH Museum, one of the world’s largest collections by a single artist. Oslo is also packed with venues in which to learn about local culture, especially the Norwegian Maritime Museum, Norsk Folkemuseum, and Akershus Fortress.
Berlin
The German capital is big, bold, and beautifully compelling. There’s more here than you can fit into a weekend, even a long one, so take your time and enjoying strolling around. One of the top sights is the Berlin Wall Memorial at Bernauer Straße, where the lives of those who lived in border buildings is vividly documented. Other historic must-sees are the East Side Gallery – a section of the Berlin Wall with murals by artists from around the world – Checkpoint Charlie, the Brandenburg Gate, and the Tiergarten park, while for those who love exploring after dark, the nightlife here is legendary.
Budapest
Named one of Conde Nast Traveller’s top places to visit in 2024 after celebrating its 150th anniversary in late 2023, the Hungarian capital is a brilliant city break destination, especially if you like pampering – not only in hotel spas (there are some palatial places to stay here), but in its naturally thermal springs, where you can join locals soaking in blissfully warm water. There is also fabulous shopping, great restaurants for all tastes, and some excellent nightlife – especially in the city’s famed ‘ruin bars’ in abandoned warehouses and historic buildings in the Jewish Quarter.
Venice
Great for couples but also for friends, families, and solo travellers, this road-traffic-free city is one of the loveliest in the world for simply ambling around – perhaps with a gelato in hand – admiring its splendid palaces and churches, especially the iconic Doges Palace. The Guggenheim Museum of modern art is also a must-see. When you’re not walking, there are gondolas, vaporetti, and traghetti to be ridden to nearby beaches and islands, where you might watch mask-makers, glassblowers, and lace-creators in action.
Palma
The Majorcan capital delivers blissful sunshine less than two and a half hours’ flight time from London, but this resort city is much more than just a beach destination – despite having some great ones, some with hip beach clubs. It also has a beautiful Old Town, home to a vast cathedral with bay views, the Moorish-style Royal Palace of La Almudaina, an Arab fortress converted to a royal residence, and the impressive Plaça Major square.
To book your European weekend break, call your Travel Counsellor today.
Less than 3.5 hours from UK airports in the heart of the shimmering Med, Malta and its sister islands Gozo and Comino are blessed with gorgeous beaches and bays to discover, some with an array of different water sports to suit all tastes, ages, and moods, from tots to thrill seekers.
One of the many things that sets Travel Counsellors apart is our ability to craft truly special and unique holidays that are filled with unforgettable moments. A classic example of this comes from one of our Travel Counsellors, Andy, who recently returned from an incredible family holiday that encompassed three different continents. Over two incredible weeks, his family journeyed from the heart of Africa to the Indian Ocean and finished with a touch of Middle Eastern extravagance.
Ras Al Khaimah, one of the United Arab Emirates’ hidden gems, has transformed into a destination synonymous with high-end experiences. With a blend of world-class resorts and unique adventures, it offers something truly special. Whether it’s serene villas with private pools or curated expeditions into the desert, this Emirate redefines the meaning of luxury. Here’s a closer look at what is waiting for you.
