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.
One of the best things about late November and December is getting into the festive spirit, and we can’t think of a better way to embrace the season than shopping for unique Christmas gifts on a European city break, somewhere with a fabulous festive market. We’ve chosen our must-visit Europe Christmas markets for 2023, with some continuing into early January if you want to keep the festive feels going.
Finnish Lapland in winter offers something that’s hard to find elsewhere: long stretches of snow, quiet surroundings, and a pace of life that encourages people to slow down. It’s a place where the days can feel calm and steady, even when temperatures drop well below freezing. It’s a place where winter isn’t just a backdrop but part of everyday life, and here’s what you can expect when you experience it for yourself.
Choosing the right accommodation can transform a great holiday into an unforgettable one. In Barbados, finding that perfect home-away-from-home is made simple with Blue Sky Luxury. With an impressive portfolio of over 200 of the island's finest villas, holiday homes, and apartments, they offer a tailored approach to Caribbean living. Whether you dream of waking up to the sound of the waves or enjoying the privacy of a grand estate, there is a property to suit your vision.