* Are you "local" and looking for a fabulous long weekend break? * Or maybe you're form the US, Canada, Australia or elswehere and are planning a European your?
No matter! As long as you're looking for city's that match the criteria below then look no further -
1) Easy to get to.
2) Have loads to see and do.
3) Great food for all budgets
4) A wide range if shopping.
5) And sights and events for culture vultures
***Here are my top 10 European City Breaks***
STOCKHOLM - My local town :-)
Amazing. Vibrant. Modern and old at the same time. Timeless and charming. Built on 14 islands where the huge and beautiful Lake Malaren joins the Baltic.
Water so pure and clean that you'll see people salmon fishing in the middle of the city. (Except in winter when you'll see ice skaters)
Be sure to walk the cobbled-stoned streets of Gamla Stan (old town), maybe buy an axe at the Viking shop & for sure take one of many boat trips to the local islands of the 14,000+ island archipelago. Oh, and if you're after a mad party try the Finland boat on a spring or summer weekend crossing. Madness!
LONDON -
My previous home. Hardly needing introduction. 2000 years of history goes head to head with the modern world. Bursting at the seams with restaurants & shopping (Oxford Street and Camden for starters) Museums. Madame Tussauds wax works. The London Eye, art at the Tate Gallery, and of course any sort of nightlife you fancy.
BRUSSELS - Great beer ;-)
Fantastic architecture & numerous museums. More Michelin ***** restaurants for it's size than any other European city. Visit the Place du Sablon for bargains galore at the weekend antiques markets.
LILLE -
European Culture Capital 2004. Crammed with designer shops lining beautiful olde worlde cobbled streets. Visit the Musee des Beaux Arts for art. Brilliant restaurants. A must is the Les Heures Bleues where global artists fill the streets & squares performing in parades, concerts and festivals on holiday weekends.
PRAGUE -
Stunning! (I've been here maybe 30 times) Fairytale architecture abounds - The Charles Bridge has to be seen to believed - pictures not enough but you'll take a lot! Food from romantic candle-lit restaurants to hardcore party bars. Not as cheap as it once was but still good. If you're adventurous try a locals bar or club ? half the price you'll pay in the main tourist ones. And take a day trip to the spa town of Karlovy Vary if you can, absolutely stunning.
AMSTERDAM -
Yes a party town and you can do all the things you'e heard :-o But if you're gorwn up you'll find a wonderful canals crossed city lined with gabled houses and moored up huge houseboats. Something for everyone - Intense nightlife of every type imaginable and relaxed daytime...coffees.g., Van Gogh museum and Rembrandt's house.
VENICE -
See the stunning Rialto Bridge, Doge's Palace and St Mark's Square. Venice is simply unforgettable. Quaint shops & enticing restaurants abound. And you must take a ride on a waterbus and get an ice cream! Ideal for a short break.
BARCELONA -
Just has to be done at least once. Bustling, lively and fun. Amazing Gaudi and gothic architecture. Legendary nightlife at the Olympic area and more sedate old and modern art museums. A fantastic climate too.
STRASBOURG -
A cosmopolitan, bustling French city with loads to see and do. Canals and mediaeval bridges. La Petite France, a beautiful quarter of the city with half-timbered houses in contrasting pastel shades. Spectacular views from the top of the Notre Dame cathedral.
MILAN -
See Via Montenapoleone for world leading Italian and international fashion designer studios. Great festivals throughout the year. Stunning local lakes with superb facilities for visitors. Milan Duomo, the third largest cathedral in the world. Loads of art galleries & museums.
***What about Paris and Rome and...***
OK I know I know, no Paris? Berlin? Budapest? Rome? Vienna? Well there's the problem with a top 10 European city holiday review. All of the others ? and many more besides are fantastic and should go on your list. It's simply that the top 10 listed are this humble travellers top ten.
1) You can exchange money in Europe the easiest and the most inexpensive way by using an automated teller machine. To play it very safe, visit your bank and learn what kind of charges it makes for using your bank card for currency exchange; some banks impose outrageously high charges. Let your bank know that you will be traveling in Europe so that their detection equipment doesn't block your activities.
2) Safeguard your documents: It's a great idea to make photocopies of your passport and flight tickets and put them in a few locations like your carry-on bag, just in case you lose something.
3) Buy a map: If you have to drive during your travel in Europe, you will require a detailed map for the regions you will visit. Do not waste time shopping for a regional map at the last minute; get it as soon as possible before leaving home.
4) Buy a new guidebook of the countries you will be visiting will be very useful. You'll practical information such as when certain sights are open and close, phone numbers. Dot not buy an outdated guidebook; you'll be frustrated and lose precious time.
5) One pitfall to avoid: Do not try to see & do too much: Try to concentrate on experiencing only a few countries instead of every country in Europe. If you are on a tour, consider staying no less than two nights in certain destinations.
6) Transportation: Decide on how you want to travel within Europe. Driving offers more flexibility; it can become impractical at certain times, depending where you are in Europe. If you are flying, you can hire a car. You can use budget airlines such as Ryanair and Easyjet.
7) Security of possession awareness: to maintain peace of mind, use a money belt or a hotel safe. Never put all of your cash and credit cards in only one wallet or purse. Because if you happen to lose either one, you are in big trouble.
8) Speak the language: If it's within your grasp, make a fair attempt to learn a few practical words of the language spoken in one of the European countries you'll be visiting.
9) Be flexible in your traveling schedule: For a more pleasant traveling experience with no frustrations, try to allow time to roam around and to relish a carefree lunch. It's a great idea to develop an itinerary in order to experience more of Europe. On the other hand, you can still be flexible.
10) Book your accommodation in advance: why? You will avoid wasting a lot of time searching from one hotel to another for an available room.
Both Nick Moseley & George Alarcon are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
Nick Moseley has sinced written about articles on various topics from Audio Books, Cruises and Dog Care. Travel addict Nick lives in Stockholm, Sweden with fianc? Lena. He moved there after commuting from London every week for 2 years. All this traveling gave him a lot of cheap travel deal finding practice. He’s put this to good use on his site. Nick Moseley's top article generates over 27100 views. to your Favourites.