City escapes don’t have to mean racing between landmarks or following the same well worn routes. Some of the best short breaks are in cities that are easy to explore, rewarding without being overwhelming, and packed with things you can do at your own pace. From food led old towns to walkable waterfronts and neighbourhoods worth lingering in, these cities are ideal for a few days away when you want variety, good atmosphere and time to actually enjoy where you are.
Base yourself inside the old town and spend days walking between the main square, castle and riverside paths. Eat pierogi in local restaurants, explore underground cellars and take a half day trip to the Wieliczka Salt Mine or Auschwitz. It’s compact, good value and easy to navigate.
Start mornings with coffee by the harbour, cycle between neighbourhoods and stop at food halls like Torvehallerne for lunch. Swim from the harbour baths, stroll Nyhavn in the evening and spend a night sampling the city’s casual but excellent dining scene.
Dubrovnik draws in travellers who love scenery and atmosphere. Walk the old city walls early in the morning, swim from the rocks or take a boat to nearby islands during the day, then return to the old town in the evening once cruise crowds have gone. For Game of Thrones fans, many key scenes were filmed here, making it especially rewarding to explore on foot.
Spend mornings moving between palaces and museums, then slow things down with coffee and cake in traditional cafés. Walk through market areas like Naschmarkt, catch a classical concert in the evening and enjoy how calm the city feels once the shops close.
Climb Arthur’s Seat for views across the city, wander between the Old Town and New Town, then finish the day in a whisky bar or modern bistro. Add a half day trip to the coast or Highlands if you want to stretch the break.
This twelve night cruise connects five of Scandinavia's most distinctive cities in one well built route, sailing from Amsterdam on Celebrity Eclipse with a Veranda cabin, gratuities and private transfers included at both ends. Oslo, Skagen, Stockholm, Tallinn, Helsinki and two full days in Copenhagen. Late May means long evenings, mild temperatures and the best of the region in full swing.
This twelve night road trip connects three of America's most musical cities in one well built route. Flying into Nashville and out of New Orleans with American Airlines, five days car hire and accommodation throughout included, the drive takes you through the heart of the Deep South, from Tennessee through Mississippi and Louisiana. Nashville, Memphis, Natchez and New Orleans, each one different, each one worth the time.
Ten nights through three of Central Europe's great capitals, flying into Budapest with Aer Lingus and home from Prague, with first class rail connections between each city and private transfers at both ends. September is one of the best months to do this trip, with warm days, quieter streets and the cities looking their best.
