The concept of a city break is rising fast across generations. Less people are booking package or beach holidays while more invest in shorter, yet more city breaks. A city break allows you to take in a lot in a short space of time. The length of time can also be tailored to exactly what you want. The key with a city break is getting the exact right mix of culture, activities, adventure, and nightlife. Of course, different people like different things and will gravitate towards different cities. The below offer a cross section of different places to tick different boxes of your city break bucket list. Try to step out of your comfort zone and see something different. Even if none of the below appeal to you they can give you a few ideas. Maybe you like the look of the parent country or want to see something similar? A little extra research goes a long way when you’re trying to plan the perfect city break.
Atlantic City
Via atlanticcitynj.com
A place often lumped in with places like Vegas, Atlantic City is its own quique place with its own vibe. There’s a lot to offer here. A great place for nightlife if you’re thinking of a good place for a stag or hen party. The casinos are great, and there is a great deal more to do in Atlantic City if you’re staying for a longer time. The beach scene is stunning too with water sports and boat trips aplenty. There are a treasure trove of restaurants and shops to try. The temperature is great too, staying consistently moderate all year around.
Florence
Again, a place marginalized by Rome but full of its own wonders to find in the narrow twisting streets. There are some wonderful museums to visit and buildings dating back to the early medieval period. The Uffizi Gallery is a real gem and there are some true culinary delights to experience if you like Italian food. You can spend all day soaking up the culture but Florence has nightlife too. Bars and clubs sprawl out across the central district, meaning there truly is something for everyone in one of the oldest cities in Italy.
Ottawa
Canada’s capital city, Ottawa, Ontario sits on the Ottawa River and has, at its center, Parliament Hill. It offers grand Victorian architecture and museums such as the National Gallery of Canada, the Canada Science and Technology Museum, and the Canadian Museum of Nature. The park-lined Rideau Canal is filled with boats in summer and ice-skaters in winter. The Rideau Canal is the largest naturally frozen skating rink in the world. When the canal is open to skating, it’s free day and night! You can also celebrate Canadian winter fun during Winterlude in Canada’s Capital Region.
Cardiff
At one point, Cardiff was one of the fastest growing cities in Europe. Now, the capital of Wales is a hidden delight nestles among some truly stunning countryside. If you like history and culture, Cardiff is for you. A castle is nestled in the center of the city, originally an ancient Roman fort the city can trace its roots back thousands of years. There’s great night life too. St Mary’s street comes alive at night. If you’re thinking of going, to get to the city when a national rugby match is on. Tickets to Millennium Stadium can be pricey but well worth it for the atmosphere alone, just make sure you buy one in advance as they tend to sell out fast.
Budapest
Via budapest.com
The capital of Hungary and an increasingly popular destination for sightseers and party animals, Budapest is truly beautiful, with white stone architecture all around that’s so pleasant and beautiful. It’s built over the imposing Danube River, a boat trip down here will be like none other, taking you through views of majestic buildings including a castle and the parliament. The nightlife is brilliant too, including some old Ruin Bars and the ever famous Sparty Pool Party. Again, a place of history stretching back to ancient history. If you’re looking for a weekend away with friends with a view to hitting the bars and clubs then this is certainly a place for you. The weather is varied too, hitting the highs of the thirties in the summer months but remaining quite cold during winter up until around April.
Athens
Talking of ancient history, Athens is a must for history buffs. The great capital is sometimes set aside by holiday goers who prefer the resorts of the Greek islands. However, Athens comes with great weather in the summer months, as well as a glut of monuments and architecture. The food is brilliant too. The Acropolis dominates the city from up high, and the piraeus and old port are brilliant to have a walk down to, especially if you decide to get their via the old market districts. If you’re just looking to drop by then Athens isn’t to be missed. There are hundreds of other monuments and ruins on the Greek mainland you can visit as part of a wider tour.
Riga
Riga has always been a capital of culture. Ancient, but at the same time youthful, multicultural, and European, Riga surprises visitors with its diverse and rich cultural history. The Central Market, in which old zeppelin hangars have been converted into covered markets, is one of the largest of its kind in Europe. It is an on-going example of culture in Riga, which stands out with its architecturally dramatic pavilions. At the Central Market, you can buy Latvian countryside produce harvested by farmers themselves, as well as fruits and consumer goods. As a cornerstone of Riga’s living history, Freedom Street and the Freedom Monument are symbols of Riga’s independence. The buildings around Riga tell a similar story to Freedom Street and, while build on war and turbulence, create a distinct beauty that draws you in and demands your attention.
