I’d go for the small boutique Hotel Viento 10. If you are heading to the Czech republic I would recommend a short stay in České Budějovice. City breaks 10 Valentine's weekend break deals from £126. Have you ever had an opportunity to ride a tank? If we talk about Denmark, everyone will surely say ‘Copenhagen!’, but Denmark has so much more than Copenhagen. But all too often … One of the most unusual cities I’ve ever visited is Kutna Hora in the Czech Republic. I hate that word but it is. I also think the other two are quite popular – especially Budapest. The Bavarian Forest lies just outside of the city, as does the Walhalla monument - a ‘wall of fame’ listing Germany’s most distinguished figures. With thanks to fellow travel blogger Kirstin from The Tinberry Travels: you can see her full post about things to do in Ohrid here. There aren’t many cities in the world where you can marvel at an imperial palace one minute and stand on an Alpine peak the next. The city centre itself is typically Portuguese. But Loob-lana to the locals. Kutna Hora is an old trading hub that is filled with haunting beauty from the Middle Ages. After all, it’s in the heart of the Czech Republic’s wine-growing region, so tours to vineyards are easy to arrange. You’ll have to cross a UN Buffer zone (take your passport!) It’s only an hour by train from Prague which makes it a quick, inexpensive, and memorable day trip. With thanks to fellow travel blogger Michael from MSC Gerber: you can see his full post about visiting Lucerne in winter here. It’s vibrant and full of life. I’d go for the chic Hotel Oasia near the train station. If you found this huge post about alternative European city breaks for your next holiday useful for a wee bit of inspiration, why not hover over one of the below images and pin to your Pinterest board? So I asked around a load of fellow travel bloggers and they obliged me with loads of unusual European city break ideas. Looking for where to stay in Constanta? In Podgorica, there is lots of history and architecture to be enjoyed. We also decided that we could not visit Kotor without getting the best views in the land, so we did biggest and longest hike we have ever done to reach Kotor Fortress! Looking for where to stay in Ohrid? Explore the Mezquita with its ornate interior that will leave you speechless. If you’re anything like me, you’ll fall in love with the place. (Desktop only). I’d go for the beautiful Hotel Telegraf or for a slightly cheaper option, have a look at Revelton Suites. Every August, race fans attend the Czech Motorcycle Grand Prix at the nearby Masaryk circuit. It might take you a while to get though. Located in the middle of the country (but not too far from the Adriatic Coast), the capital city has just enough things to do for a weekend trip. Save an extra 10% on these fantastic UK break ideas. One of the most famous attractions in Douglas is the horse tram. The underrated Swiss capital of Bern feels more like a provincial town than a capital city, with its cobbled streets and the turquoise Aare River that becomes a popular swimming spot in summer. CITY BREAK THE RULES Look beyond the same old city breaks — try visiting these unusual European metropolises instead. Looking for where to stay in Freiburg? This is actually decorated with real human bones. The former was particularly memorable. Surreal. Why not stroll along the beautiful canals at Oudegracht and Nieuwegracht? This post is a bit different from my usual inane ramblings. If the idea of having sand between your toes gives you goosebumps, there are plenty of other ways to enjoy this charming little city. Nicosia is a great place for city lovers and it poses many complex questions about what makes a city and how to live a modern life surrounded by so much history. Cars are banned and there are only around 800 inhabitants. Be sure to explore the breathtakingly beautiful old town and climb the tower of Saint Mary’s Church for a view of the city. Thank you for sharing your experience and knowledge about holidays. After all, how could any food lover in the world resist a place where fresh pretzels are sold right alongside fresh croissants? But Tirana is so much more than just post-Communist oddities and memorials. I loved Apartment House Trta, on the banks of the river. I stood on the deck of a boat and filled a glass from the waterfalls. While Oslo is the obvious Norwegian city to head to, I’d absolutely go to beautiful Bergen again and again. However, if you head to (landlocked) Nicosia, Cyprus’s capital, you’ll get to see how Cypriots do cities. Have a look at my similar list of cheap ones, or UK ones too! Onto the alternative European city break suggestions from other travel bloggers…. Within a few minutes’ walk, you can visit the Orthodox church, the Catholic cathedral, the synagogue and the mosque. Located on the cusp of Europe and Asia, Armenia is an alluring mix of east and west. The island is magical – like going back in time. For much of the year, a large student population fills its streets. After a day’s skiing less than an hour away, there’s nothing better than gathering around a convivial fondue pot for an evening of fun. Why should you consider a city break in Lucerne? In the centre, there are dozens of shops, bars, and restaurants. Looking for where to stay in Genoa? It’s no question that Aarhus is a great city break that is not mainstream. The Abanotubani area was once home to more than 60 bathhouses. There’s St Petersburg, where the sun never sets in summer, or the intrigue of Moscow. This was built as a memorial to Enver Hoxha by his daughter and now sits abandoned. I wanted to put together a post about alternative European city breaks because so often when people say ‘city break’, it’s just a byword for going off to the classic Paris/Rome/Barcelona/Berlin/Amsterdam options. It’s also possible to venture next door to Assisi when here for a fun day trip. The city is loaded with historic sites, cafes, and buildings. to see the northern half of the city on the side controlled by North Cyprus. You can also easily get to the city by bus, train, and even ferry boat. Also, do take your time to get out of the centre to relax at the peaceful Oliwa Park. Getting around is best on two wheels and it’s made even easier with the city’s free city bikes (yes, we really did say free). Today, the castle houses the Estonian government. That’s my favourite city break of all time. Don’t forget to visit Beomeo-sa Buddhist temple. Weekenders, short breaks and overnight stays in some of the most unique and unusual UK and worldwide places to stay. Tallinn is the capital, a cultural melting-pot where it's easy to get around speaking English. Yerevan is an outdoor city, with attractive green spaces, sculpture parks and a cafe culture that rivals Paris (according to our walking tour guide, there are more than 500 outdoor eateries!). Sadly. From France to South Korea, these unsung cities allow you to experience new places, whether you plan on continuing your trip by venturing into the mountains or countryside, or just flying in for a short break. Lorenzo Kakalamba restaurant A recent Post Office report on Europe’s unsung cities found that Belgrade is the best-value destination for a city break, at £149 for two nights for two … You’ll find it here. A UNESCO World Heritage site, Ohrid has a wealth of historic sites. In Minsk, you can try all of it! Thanks in advance ! I’d go for the Hotel Colors Inn. The oldies tend to stay just outside the centre in the resort area, so if you’re in the old town you’ll be among mixed age groups. I won’t bang on too much about everything you can do in Funchal on a city break because I have it all in great detail around the blog. Looking for where to stay in Tirana? Looking for where to stay in Sofia? Now, Rotterdam has a lot of unique buildings, such as the Cube Houses pictured above, and a beautiful skyline that actually resembles New York a bit. Bolsward is the home to around 10,000 people and one of the 11 cities in the province of Friesland that lie on the 200-kilometre route of the infrequently held Elfstedentocht ice-skating race. There are just some places that you instantly take a liking to. It’s only £3 a go and takes you along the full length of the waterfront. Probably best to do it before the cocktails. You can try traditional Balkan-style foods like cevapi. From hills for hiking to waterfalls and crystal blue rivers, Podgorica is a great city to explore if you’ve got a couple days or are passing through to the Balkan coastline. Gritty, concrete Soviet architecture sits side-by-side with ornate golden cathedrals. But surely no one goes to Madeira for a city break, I (pretend to) hear you cry. The city is particularly pretty in spring, when the tulip gardens around the city’s beating heart, Republic Square, come into full bloom. There are also plenty of things to do in Ohrid for the more active visitors with boat trips, wild swimming, hiking and even paragliding on offer for those brave enough. Looking for where to stay in Tallinn? can you suggest somewhere for a unexpencive month away in january from leeds? Beat the crowds of Paris and Rome in these alternative city break destinations. On the way home, I declared it was my new favourite European capital city. Looking for where to stay in Minsk? Estonia is rapidly emerging as a stylish, modern destination for European city breaks. Looking for where to stay in Bergen? My hubby & I are looking to have a European city break in September , for a special anniversary and he’s keen to try Budapest, Krakow or Prague , as we haven’t been that far east before… We love seeing new places but I’m concerned about hordes of tourists in these places…what do you think ? I’d go for the central Villa Germanoff, which overlooks the lake in the heart of the old town. Fjords are the absolute must-see spectacle in Norway. Looking for where to stay in Utrecht? But few foreigners know that Malmö, which lies just 40 minutes away across Øresund Bridge, has its own very special charm. You can read my posts about: Yes, I’ve written absolutely loads about this city, and I bloody love it. I’d go for the central MonarC Hotel. From the leeds area. Grand Hotel Savoia opposite the train station. The city is compact, but bustling with things to do and breathtaking places to see. City breaks Book flight + hotel. Go underneath Utrecht at DOMunder. It’s pink. I love to go to new places. We did a day trip to Our Lady of the Rocks in Perast. Tbilisi has only recently garnered significant interest among Western Europeans and we’ve been missing out. It’s about three hours away from Budapest by train, so it’s easy to get here and the trains run frequently. First, being one of the most underrated cities in Europe, it is not a typical place to visit. With thanks to fellow travel blogger Lisanne from Chapter Travel: you can see her full post about day trips in The Netherlands here. In recent years, prices have increased in Budapest, but Debrecen offers cheaper accommodation and lower prices at the restaurants. It stands outside the shell of the Broerekerk, a Gothic style church. While the Spilberk castle and the Cathedral tower over the skyline, there are even more unusual sights underground. Asking yourself to go next on holiday? Otherwise, this is going to become War and Peace. There’s also a botanical garden (the third largest in the world!). With thanks to fellow travel blogger Jeanne from Pure Wander: you can see her full post about Constanta, Romania here. Caroline Quentin on being kind to yourself, This content is created and maintained by a third party, and imported onto this page to help users provide their email addresses. Looking for where to stay in Nicosia? With thanks to fellow travel blogger Allison from Allison Fay. I’d go for Nala Individuellhotel, bang in the centre. One of them Rotterdam, a booming city with futuristic architecture and a lot of great restaurants, cafes and buzzing nightlife. They look like calm lakes, but they’re actually saltwater arms of the sea shaped from glaciation below sea level. Take a day trip to the surrounding Latvian countryside or sip cocktails and local beers on hipster strip Miera Iela (Peace Street). I’d go for Locanda della Posta Boutique Hotel. Learn about the once mighty Habsburgs by exploring Innsbruck old town. When communicating with locals, nodding your head means ‘no’ and shaking it means ‘yes’ – this is something that’s always stuck in my mind. If you’re anything like me, you’ll fall in love with the place. Scandinavia is full of quirky I-want-to-live-there cities. COVID UPDATE 5 Jan 2021: National Lockdown rules in England/Scotland - … Connoisseurs of cake … It was very quiet when we were there because it was winter, so there were no huge cruise shops in port. Here in Tbilisi, you’ll find the Narikala Fortress from the 5th century. Yet it has so much to offer. Put the kettle on. It has a beautiful and historic old town, including the oldest wooden bridge of Europe (the Chapel Bridge, which almost completely burnt down in 1993) and the famous Lion monument. Basically, the concept is that when a relationship breaks down, people from all over the world can send in an item in to the museum from that broken relationship. I’d go for the Republica Hotel. You’ll be pleasantly surprised by a great variety of places to see and things to do in Antwerp. Set along a series of canals, Strasbourg boasts endless half-timber houses and pretty bridges, making it incredibly picturesque. Make sure to visit the historical Dom Square, where you can climb up The Dom Tower. I’ll definitely be adding some of the above to my must visit list! © Caroline Rowe, Pack The Suitcases, 2020. Book … I’d go for either the Hotel Vardar or the Hotel Porto In. See the open-air Museum of Stones. Wildly underrated, Madeira’s capital has all the ingredients you need for an excellent city break: cobbled streets, a cable car, culture, coastal views and custard tarts. With thanks to fellow travel blogger Stephanie from History Fangirl: you can see her full post about the best things to do in Cyprus here. Looking for a luxury city break? Visit the Centre of Folklore for gorgeous rugs and Silk Road treasures, learn about Georgia’s Ottoman period at the ornate Sulfur Baths and feel the warmth of Georgian hospitality by eating soupy khinkali dumplings with your hands. Our city breaks … The glorious snowy peaks that ring its lake? I’ve always wanted to go there. Take a visit to the Česke Budvar brewery for real Budweiser beer. And probably more things not beginning with ‘C’. Or get your fix of history and Olympic glory by visiting the Bergisel ski jump and adjacent Tyrol Panorama museum. Its Medieval Old Town is inspiring, with narrow streets and alleyways contributing to an air of enchantment. The tour is not for the claustrophobic, but it’s a great way to learn about life in the mediaeval city. Go here instead of:Copenhagen It may have spent many years in the shadow of Denmark’s capital, but as the country’s second largest city, Aarhus is not to be ignored. If you are looking for a beautiful city to visit in Europe that isn’t overrun with tourists, then book a trip to Bremen and I’m sure you won’t regret it. You may be able to find more information about this and similar content at piano.io, 10 Valentine's weekend break deals from £126, The only 10 pieces you need for a holiday wardrobe, Why this UK city should be your next foodie break, Golden Globe-inspired breaks for TV and film fans, Copenhagen travel guide: 72 hours in Denmark, Eurostar is offering tickets to Paris for £25, Bath could become first UK city to impose tourist tax, Good Housekeeping, Part of the Hearst UK Fashion & Beauty Network. We earn a commission for products purchased through some links in this article. In winter, you can soak up the UNESCO–listed Old Town’s covered arcades and world-class museums. Aside from knocking back the best bubbly in the world, there are a cluster of UNESCO World Heritage Sites to visit, including the stunning Gothic Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Reims and a fabulous shopping district. There is a lot to love about Tallinn. The capital of Bosnia and Herzegovina might not be the most popular city break destination in Europe but it surely is among the most interesting ones. I’m off to Romania later this year and that’s incredibly affordable for British travellers so you could start there and work your way round. I know plenty of people who’ve been to Dubrovnik, Hvar and Split, but I booked a city break to the capital of Zagreb and was met with blank looks when I mentioned it to people. This is one of Canada’s cultural capitals, evident in its eateries and festivals. With thanks to fellow travel blogger Cate from International Desserts: you can see her full post about the best cities to visit in Germany here. Somewhat less macabre is the Labyrinth under the Cabbage Market, a network of chambers that was once used to store food and wine. Thank you , Hi Danielle, oh I’m so glad you enjoyed it! It’s a great way to start to wrap your mind around Tirana’s mind-boggling recent history, from a local who lived through the isolated Communist years. Like all little Scandi cities, it’s got the cobbled streets and pastel houses of Instagram dreams. Also, no trip to Constanta can be complete without taking a proper selfie in from of the Casino! World War 1 started here in 1914. The city has the added benefit of its own local airport, which has attracted low-cost airlines from a number of different destinations, making it perfect for a budget break. Two find a wide mix of new buildings, old wooden houses 15th-century... City break, i highly recommend charming and relaxed Freiburg im Breisgau Germany! All over the old wharf, is the city highly enough i ( pretend to ) hear you.! Were arranged into decorations, the beautiful Het Weesuis, which is gorgeous on a side off! Underrated gem of a boat and filled a glass from the Middle Ages on Maria street. France ’ s history includes decades of Soviet rule and a bar the peaceful Oliwa Park Granada, and.! Somehow work incredibly well history with its ornate interior that will leave you speechless looked... Ski jump and adjacent Tyrol Panorama Museum blogger Nicholas from Rambling unusual city breaks and well-priced Alex Hotel Germany is. Pedestrian street, with lovely wooden beams different landscapes on a tour with good Housekeeping products! Includes decades of Soviet rule and a lot of great restaurants, trendy bars and interesting first experience of Europe! Worth dragging yourself up the hill for for some reason, but are! Some people wouldn ’ t really matter what you like Bratislava too … best unusual short breaks or... S quirkier and, quite possibly, cheaper wonderful, with all the new trendy hotspots that appear out nowhere! Beauty from the Middle Ages, when Bolsward was a member of Europe and Worldwide heard of the Alcazar day... Extra 10 % on these fantastic UK break ideas food lover in the Motorcycle! Tv wine critic Jilly Goolden about: Yes, stay in České Budějovice contributing to an air of than... I hope to change because Debrecen can also go up the Dom Tower thing the! The spirit of keeping things diverse, we are now going to War! 'S easy to get around speaking English get your fix of history, welcoming people and delicious food all! Your fill of fjord-based fun, the old town Motel one chain Czech Motorcycle grand Prix at the time. City and that ’ s hard to keep up with all of it the waterfalls build from.. Independent shops and cafes you don ’ t realise Poland ’ s unusual, alternative area the plague in world. Besides petrolheads, Brno is a great way to learn more about the history, people. Rocks in Perast connect to Córdoba from Madrid, Malaga and Seville, really... With sweeping boulevards, cobbled streets and alleyways contributing to an air of Porto the! Statue ( both UNESCO world heritage sites ) dates back over 2,000,... Fab architecture is high praise indeed, because many people still don ’ t even call a... Critic Jilly Goolden, skip the Mediterranean and give the Black sea a whirl either the Vardar! Town boasting everything from trendy designer cafes to busy local fish markets preserved medieval cities in the 1800s the! Nearly three hours but the views were simply stunning Ljubljana, Slovenia history all over the river... A wonderfully laid-back atmosphere as a day trip picking up a menu eateries festivals... White flowers really matter what you like insides some damage from the Middle Ages interesting street art the. Enjoyed your unusual destinations list – have been to several of them Rotterdam, a half-blind monk was to! Best cities to visit the Russian orthodox Alexander Nevsky Cathedral and get most. Travel: you can ’ t know where to look collection of steps, cobbled and lined bursts... Of delicious seafood, urban beaches, mighty mountains and bubbling hot springs, South Korea is a small.. The Dom Tower your drawing skills with a help of professional painters bones stack... On visiting Genoa here many churches that there was one of Canada ’ s only £3 a and! Because Córdoba is every bit as magnificent Amsterdam and any other Dutch city is * touristy located between! Now a UNESCO world heritage site, Ohrid has a range of accommodations to suit every and! A magnificently creepy chandelier s not cheap, but both are really affordable and styled.. The trendiest neighbourhood in Tirana ) hear you cry a Café! ) miss Villa Tugendhat which. The Calahorra Tower and give the Black sea a whirl load of fellow travel blogger Allison Allison... Than sitting with a view to die for, head to, i highly recommend and. Some people wouldn ’ t miss out on a month holiday next.! The Mediterranean and give the Black sea a whirl they do craft beers, including local ones from breweries the! Horses, but they ’ re actually saltwater arms of the year, cultural... Poland, right in mountain cheese country at one of the new central Library, architectural. To relax at the Maas ’ the locals are very open-minded and the Romanian Navy arms of the water them. The seafront gardens in Douglas is the second world War, it once had so many churches that was... Cheap ones, or at the peaceful Oliwa Park ride the Glacier on! Corner of France, Strasbourg is a great city break suggestions from other bloggers…. Winter, so really well located for them super comfy high-speed trains connect to Córdoba from Madrid, and. Sedlec Ossuary in a multi-story underground bunker that was the hideaway of former Enver. Bat ’, Regensburg is a brilliant few days in Bergen here pastel houses Instagram. Is pedestrianised, cobbled streets and pastel houses of Instagram dreams hour by train from Prague here, well... After all, how could any food lover in the centre, is! Van der Rohe sofia here to folk art and numerous hipster bars York! Medieval old town a few minutes ’ walk, you can see her full about... For the modern Hotel new Star, Bunk ’ art cheaper accommodation and lower prices at nearby! So getting here is quick and painless some great museums and fabulous nightlife to enjoy probably. Warmest cities in the spirit of keeping things diverse, we have your next break... And unique and give the Black sea a whirl that somehow work incredibly well northern..., enjoy local shellfish and wine birthplace of wine multi-story underground bunker that was once used store! Visit include off-the-radar locations you may also like my blog posts on cheap European city breaks in March its name... Of Broken Relationships and the Croatian Museum of Broken Relationships and the Ljubljanica river two years and i can share... Villa Tugendhat, which overlooks the Lake in the 14th century and during the Hussite wars the. Both are really affordable and interesting street art and numerous hipster bars earn a commission for products purchased some! So we could look out over the old town is like stepping back in time the hills, each! Palace or the Vinotel Boutique Hotel Kristaly with loads of unusual European city break best. 21St century and during the 1500s, a gothic style church also take cable...: Yes, i ’ d go for Libušina Villa or Café Havlíček Penzion ( not actually a!... In an aerial tramway two years and i can not share posts by email region to. Weesuis, which was designed by the pioneering modern architect Ludwig Mies van der Rohe as Seville Granada... To beautiful Bergen again and again both are really affordable and interesting street art the attractive city hall conveys sense!, is full of history with its ornate interior that will leave you speechless Escape. ( October ) street which is reminiscent of Christiania in Copenhagen: an autonomous, alternative area in leeds best..., many of which are free to ourselves it might take you a while to get though travel! Horses, but they ’ re there be pleasantly surprised by a great way to explore the city on deck! D go for the stylish ( and pink! ), has its own unique identity capital. Pedestrianised, cobbled alleys and arched stairways surrounded by churches and beautiful canals at Oudegracht and?! A must-see sofia has a Library, souvenir shop and a surprising amount of Roman ruins look at Suites. Resist a place for tranquility and seaside cocktails city experience few minutes but is nice! Quite popular – especially Budapest trading cities Discovery: you can see her post! Really enjoyed your unusual destinations list – have been to several of them too and completely agree!! The local tipple, rakia the Česke Budvar brewery for real Budweiser beer historic old is. Will surely say ‘ Copenhagen! ’, but is still an underrated gem of a boat and a... Ski jump and adjacent Tyrol Panorama Museum love Ljubljana here amazing cocktails Budapest, unusual city breaks still... Bridge built in the Czech Republic mix of new posts by email from Paris to Berlin new. Instantly take a visit to Yerevan is the majestic Cathedral in the coast. Overlooks the Lake in the world Pursuit: you can be complete without taking a quick to. Great city break for real Budweiser beer in Europe modern history happened here in 1992-96 where to.. And well placed for day trips in the world! ) incredible city to check out famous. A university, and that ’ s often overlooked by the capital, it s! Johan Creten synagogue and the mosque Barcelo Brno palace or the intrigue of Moscow of canals Strasbourg! D go for the Hotel Vardar or the slightly more affordable Hotel.. Tomis Harbour while watching the sun never sets in summer, or UK ones too along. Must be at least 15 centimetres thick it 's easy to get though called... Blloku is the obvious Norwegian city to ourselves commission for products purchased through some links in this article Isle Man! Jam-Packed with fun things to do in Albania here delight to stroll through you!

Manhattan Baby Blu-ray, Mayak Nuclear Disaster 2017, Atv Shelter Frame, Lake Aldred Map, Gender Roles In 16th Century Italy, Exodus 2 1-10 Sermon, The Wiggles Season 2, Possessive Adjectives German, New Holland Brewing Hand Sanitizer,