A long weekend trip is sometimes just the thing you need to recharge your batteries after months of hard work and the rigours of the daily grind. In our previous post, we featured four cities in Europe that would be perfect for a long weekend: Paris, Rome, Vienna, and Lisbon. Now we follow up that post with a few more choices.
The key to a great weekend trip is to go somewhere you can let go and forget about life at home. It may be a place you have already visited; it may be a place brand-new to you. In either case, here are a few more suggestions:
Amsterdam, Netherlands
Just across the North Sea is the beautiful city of Amsterdam. Brits love Amsterdam not only because of its proximity to the UK but also because it has all the action of a big-city metropolis without most of the negatives. Amsterdam has a great nightlife scene, arts and culture, beautiful architecture, and some of the best food in Western Europe. Yet the city is small enough that you can spend your weekend walking and cycling around town. It is a great city for unwinding and relaxing.
Berlin, Germany
Berliners love to be outdoors when the weather is nice. Within city boundaries, there is no shortage of walking paths and park areas where you can relax and let the hours pass. Just outside the city, you will find plenty of canals and rivers were boats traverse the countryside at a leisurely pace. And of course, Berlin is a city that is rich in history. You can spend time researching the land barons of the 17th and 18th centuries or dig into the post-war era of the divided city.
Barcelona, Spain
The most striking thing about Barcelona is its architecture. Very few European cities combine centuries-old architecture with modern styles as seamlessly and effortlessly as Barcelona does. What's more, the different styles come together in eclectic neighbourhoods were multiple architectural forms exist side-by-side. As for the rest of Barcelona, you will enjoy spectacular shopping and a great dining scene as well.
Dubrovnik, Croatia
Dubrovnik is a seaside town on the Adriatic that does not get the attention it deserves. It might be right on the edge in terms of distance, but the city is still worth a look for your long weekend. You will enjoy its resort atmosphere and the beautiful beaches along the Adriatic. You might also appreciate that the city is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the ten best-preserved examples of a medieval walled city. Topping it all off is the fact that Dubrovnik is very affordable when compared to some of the other cities we listed.
Your long weekend in Europe awaits. We hope the eight cities we have featured in this two-part series give you some great ideas. One thing is certain though – there is no shortage of great destinations to visit on this incredible continent we call home. So get out there and explore!