Five top options for a European city break

Posted by on 12th October 2021

One of the best things about the vouchers you can buy here on HolidayVoucherShop.co.uk is that they can be used for literally any kind of holiday you could possibly want to try.

An option that has proven to be popular with our customers however is the city break, which offer the chance to enjoy a few days away from home seeing the sights and enjoying the sun (hopefully) at a relatively low cost.

With that in mind, here are five our favourite destinations to consider if you are trying to decide what to use your voucher for…

Barcelona:

Barcelona is a one of the most popular cities in Europe for a quick break, given that it only a couple of hours from the UK.

The city is packed with culture and style, and is somewhere where you easily spend a week - or more - just exploring everything that there is to see and do.

Various tours are available to take you around the city to see the sights if you are only visiting for a weekend, with famous buildings like the Sagrada Familia, the Santa Maria del Mar and the Catedral de Barcelona well worth a visit.

Park Guell, a World Heritage Site that showcases the skills of Antoni Gaudí in a parkland setting, is a must-see attraction as is the Magic Fountain, located in front of the Museu Nacional d'Art de Catalunya at the base of Montjuïc hill.

Here, you can enjoy a magical display of colour, light, music as the water dances in front of your eyes, before heading for a local restaurant to sample the best in Catalan cuisine.

Paris:

One of the most popular cities in the world, Paris welcomes tens of millions of tourists on a yearly basis - and with good reason.

The French capital is packing with landmarks that are instantly recognisable across the globe, with the likes of the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre and the Musée d’Orsay amongst the most popular.

The sight of the Arc de Triomphe illuminated on an evening is also something to behold, with the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier being somewhere to reflect about those who have lost their lives in conflict.

You could also take a trip along the famous River Seine, experience some of the best fine dining around or sample top class shopping from the best designers in the world.

With the option of travelling by both air and rail from the UK, there are few places as accessible for a short weekend trip.

Rome:

 

 

It’s no exaggeration to say that there are few cities out there that can beat Rome when it comes to history, heritage and culture - making the Italian capital a real 'must see' destination.

As with the other options on this list, Rome is jam packed with things to see and do, with an interesting history that dates back thousands of years being reflected in the stunning architecture that you will find no matter where in the city you are.

St Peter’s Basilica in the heart of the Vatican is a must see, with a visit to the top of the tower affording stunning views across the city landscape, where you’ll be able to spot the likes of the Colosseum and the Piazza Venezia as well as look down on the nearby Casel Sant’Angelo.

Add into the mix the Trevi Fountain, the Pantheon and the Roman Forum - to name just three - and you can see that are no shortage of attractions for visitors to explore.

That’s before you even start with the fine dining options that are available across the city, and the top class shopping in one of the fashion capitals of the world…

Amsterdam:

 

 

Amsterdam is famed for the elaborate canal network that winds through the city, with the Dutch capital packed with charm and character.

It’s a great place to visit for those who want to lead the hair down with plenty of bars and a vibrant nightlife scene - particularly around the famous Red Light District and the area around Leidseplein, which houses numerous restaurants where you can grab a bite to eat.

During the day attractions like the Rijksmuseum, the Van Gogh museum, Rembrant House and Anne Frank House are ideal for fans of history and culture, or you could simply walk the street and marvel at the impressive architecture that lines the waterways.

Amsterdam is home to a wide range of street markets for anyone looking to grab a bargain whilst the area around De Negen Straatjes houses various boutique stores that are worth checking out.

With Amsterdam holding many different festivals and events during the year, you’ll never be short of something to do.

Prague:

 

 

The Czech capital has developed into one of the most popular European city destinations there is, and provides an interesting alternative to the traditional options for a city break.

A city of stunning beauty, Prague rewards those with a desire to explore and is home to a wide range of historical attractions that include Prague Castle, the Jewish Quarter and the Old Town.

The latter is where you’ll find the famous old Astronomical Clock, which is one of the oldest clocks of its type still in operation in the world. On the hour, the clock comes alive with display that provides an air of theatre to anyone watching on and something not to be missed.

Lovers of architecture are also in for a treat, with Prague - known as the 'City of a Thousand Spires' - being home to historical buildings that show the best in Romanesque, Art Nouveau and gothic design.

There are many galleries for lovers of the arts, as well as countless restaurants and bars to sample traditional Czech food and drink - including the many beers for which the country is well known.