Sometimes after spending a frantic few months at work, it’s nice to chill out with a relaxing short break to one of the many amazing cities to be found in Europe – would you agree? Not only do you get to visit somewhere exciting for a spot of sightseeing but you can also sit back, relax and recharge the batteries before heading back to the office. As a result the kind folk here at Door2Tour have compiled a mini list of European cities that you should visit at some point during the year…
Barcelona
Fast becoming one of those must-see cities when on holidays to Spain, Barcelona is certainly the place to be if you love tapas, fiestas and Gaudi! It is also home to one of the most famous boulevards in the world, La Rambla, and anyone who visits Barcelona must take a walk along the mile long stretch of road full of street artists, fortune-tellers, dancers and wonderful musicians. Take a step away from La Rambla and you’ll discover another famous sight of Barcelona, Gaudi’s incredible La Sagrada Familia. It’s a rather strange looking gothic cathedral but the views from the top are out of this world – hop into a lift though as it’s a long climb! Enjoy a leafy walk thought the Monjuiic, sample fresh seafood from one of many Galician restaurants, soak up the architecture or learn to flamenco – you’ll not run out of things to do in Barcelona that’s for sure!
Paris
A city break to Paris is perfect at any time of year whether you wish to soak up the colours of springtime in one of the
many parks and gardens that this fine city has to offer or if you simply wish to shop and sightsee – Paris certainly has it all. Notable favourites are of course the Eifel Tower, the Louvre Museum, Notre Dame and the Arc de Triomphe. Aside from these mighty sites, you can also enjoy the colourful artistic flavour of Montmartre where you can climb the famous hill to the steps of the Basilica of Sacre-Coeur or sit in one of many street cafes and watch the world go by. If money is a little tight, watch a puppet show in the Jardin du Luxembourg, discover all there is to know about Marie Curie at The Curie Museum, hop on a sun lounger along the city’s summer beach beside the River Seine or check out the Fête de Ganesh which takes place on 30 August each year.
Rome
When in Rome there is a multitude of things you can do that don’t
necessarily cost the earth. Certainly one of the main reasons why so many of us come to Rome is to discover what the Romans really did for us by visiting The Pantheon, Colosseum and Roman Forum. For something a little unusual why not take a tour of the Vatican and gaze in awe at the beautiful Sistine Chapel? Toss a coin in the Trevi Fountain and make a wish whilst doing a spot of people watching, browse the Campo del Fiori Markets and grab a bargain or simply find your perfect Italian restaurant and order a plate of cacio e pepe – a simple pasta dish with lots of pecorino romano and black pepper followed by a gelato or two!
Bruges
Those who have visited Bruges fondly call the city ‘Venice Of The North’ because of its numerous canals but it is also home to chocolate and plenty of lace – there’s even a museum dedicated to this fine art! Head over to the Church of Our Lady and you’ll get to see Michelangelo’s marble masterpiece of Madonna With Child – the only sculpture that was allowed to leave Italy during the artist’s lifetime. The city is also famous for its love of beer and this probably one of the main reasons why so many of us hop on a ferry to visit Bruges so we can stock up on some the latest brews. The city is full of local masterpieces with visits to The Market Square (Grote Markt) and Belfry Tower highly recommended.
Amsterdam
With just one visit here, you’ll soon discover that life in Amsterdam is not simply about cheese, clogs and windmills. With
fabulous museums, quirky festivals, theatre, music and the arts all on the doorstep, there’s never a dull moment when taking a break in Amsterdam. For history and culture, visits to Rijksmuseum, Van Gogh Museum or Anne Frank Huis are certainly worth it as are the Royal Palace and New Church. Make sure you hop on a cruise to experience the Grachtengordel otherwise known as the Canal Ring and is the functioning heart of the city where locals and visitors come together. Discover the quaint shopping and dining quarter of Negen Straatjes ‘9 Streets’ or lose yourself in the peaceful hidden courtyard of Begijnhof. There’s also Madame Tussards, the eery Amsterdam Dungeon, the hands-on Science Centre and no forgetting Amsterdam Zoo – fun for all the family!
So who’s hopped on a city break to one of these fine cities of Europe? Is there anything you’d recommend in doing – sights to see, things to do…