* 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., Rembrandt's house and the Van Gogh museum.

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.