Top Europe city breaks – that aren’t capital cities!
If you’re looking to choose a Europe city break, you may be a bit overwhelmed by the choices on offer. There are 44 countries in Europe, all home to lots of fabulous destinations: there are large modern cities, medieval ones, smaller coastal resorts, and places sat on alpine lakes. All offer a unique blend of…
How to spend one day in Montreux on the Swiss Riviera
Montreux is a gorgeous Swiss town that sits on the shores of Lake Geneva. There are mountains all around, a beautiful lakeside promenade, and a fairytale castle – enough to justify spending at least one day in Montreux. The town known for having attracted the rich and famous – most well-known among these is Freddie…
A visit to the Charlie Chaplin Museum, Switzerland
The Charlie Chaplin Museum, near Vevey in Switzerland, is a must-see attraction for film buffs, particularly fans of the silent screen and the famous film legend. This fascinating museum showcases the lifelong work of the famous British-born comic actor, director, filmmaker, and composer who found fame in the United States in the first half of…
One day in Cologne, Germany: top things for your itinerary
The largest city in North Rhine-Westphalia, Cologne is home to one of Germany’s most recognisable and popular tourist attractions, Cologne Cathedral (Kolner Dom), famous for its soaring twin spires. Most travellers will recognise the often-used photograph taken from the opposite bank of the Rhine River. This shows the city’s gothic-styled cathedral standing behind a massive…
One day in Antwerp, Belgium: the best things to do
There’s no shortage of things to do in Belgium’s second-largest city, and certainly plenty to fill your time if you only have one day in Antwerp. The city has a medieval centre, a stunning cathedral – the largest Gothic church in the Benelux countries – and a castle dating from the 1200s standing right next…
The best things to do in Schaffhausen, Switzerland
Nestled along the banks of the Rhine River, Schaffhausen is a charming town in northern Switzerland. It’s only small, but there is a lot to see here – certainly enough to make it worth visiting for a short break or even a day if you’re not far away. In my opinion, it’s one the best…
The perfect itinerary for 2 days in Milan
Milan, Italy’s second-largest city, is a fabulous destination. It has a fascinating history, numerous attractions – including the largest cathedral in Italy – and a world-renowned fashion scene. It’s a place that has something for everyone, be that exploring the city centre sights, visiting some of its top museums, partaking in some retail therapy, or…
One day in Ghent: 15 things to put on your itinerary
The Belgian city of Ghent can sometimes be overlooked as a tourist destination due to its close proximity to Bruges. But if you’re on a trip to Bruges or elsewhere in the area, it’s definitely worth spending one day in Ghent. It’s a great city, with a historic centre containing sights that have been awarded…
A weekend in Bruges: the top things to put on your itinerary
Bruges is one of the most popular destinations in Belgium. When you visit, it’s not hard to see why and why many people choose to spend a weekend in Bruges. Millions every year are drawn to Bruges’ picturesque vistas of historic landmarks, cobbled streets, beautiful medieval buildings, and scenic canals. The city’s historic centre has…
The 20 best things to do in Winterthur
Winterthur, Switzerland’s sixth-largest city, has something for everyone. It has a pretty old town to explore, beautiful parks and gardens, grand villas to wander around, and 17 outstanding museums to choose from. Its location also positions it perfectly for trips out to other places. These include Kyburg Castle, Switzerland’s oldest castle museum, the Rhine Falls,…
A day trip to Lugano in Switzerland: the best things to do
With its sweeping bay framed by two facing mountains, Lugano, on the shores of Lake Lugano is a beautiful sight to see, especially when the sun is out and the light sparkles on its lake. The largest city in the Swiss canton of Ticino, Lugano is an excellent base for exploring the wider region. This…
2 days in Oslo: the top things to put on your itinerary
Norway’s capital city has a wealth of attractions to suit visitors no matter what their interests are. Overlooking the Oslo fjord, this attractive Scandinavian city is great for those who love the outdoors, yet also caters for travellers looking for some culture and entertainment. If you’re planning to spend 2 days in Norway’s largest city,…
A Zurich to Rhine Falls day trip: everything you need to know
At 23 metres high and 150 metres wide, the Rhine Falls is Europe’s biggest waterfall. Situated near the picturesque Swiss town of Schaffhausen and along the Rhine River, it’s a popular tourist destination. It’s a stunning attraction I would recommend for a day out. You can take a boat ride, climb a rock in the…
One day in Monaco: your itinerary for the perfect trip
Nestled along the picturesque French Riviera, the principality of Monaco is an ideal destination for a short trip. Famous for its glamorous and opulent lifestyle and the Grand Prix that takes place here every year, a visit to Monaco gives you a great insight into all of these, as well as the history of the…
Switzerland: The 17 best things to do in Neuchatel
Neuchatel is a beautiful city in western Switzerland, not far from Bern and Geneva. It’s the perfect location for a short break or day trip. The city has a picturesque old town graced with a stunning lakeside setting, and there is plenty to do and see both here and nearby. If you’re thinking of going,…
Geneva vs Zurich: which city is better to visit?
Switzerland’s two best known cities, French-speaking Geneva and German-speaking Zurich share lakeside locations, but in many ways are very different cities, albeit each with unique sights. But if you have just a few days for a short break, which one should you visit: Geneva or Zurich? In this post I set out information to help…
Lisbon or Porto: which city to visit
Lisbon, Portugal’s capital, and Porto, the country’s second city, are both popular destinations I would thoroughly recommend you visit. But if you were to choose, which city should you visit? Lisbon or Porto? It’s a common question: Lisbon or Porto? Which one is best for a city break? It’s not an easy question to answer….
20 of the top things to do in Leuven Belgium (2023)
Overshadowed by more famous Belgian destinations like Bruges and Ghent, the beautiful city of Leuven is, in my humble opinion, one of Belgium’s hidden gems, certainly in the country’s Flemish region. There’s lots of great things to do here to justify a short trip. Why visit Leuven? Like Bruges and Ghent, there are many top…
Crete: The 17 best things to do in Elounda (2023)
I’ve just returned from a 3 night trip to the small coastal town of Elounda on the north eastern side of Crete and loved it! Just an hour from the island’s capital, Heraklion, there’s plenty of things to do in Elounda. The stunning scenery, beautiful beaches, charming villages, and proximity to historical sites makes it…
Belgium: the 24 top things to do in Mechelen
Only 20 minutes by fast train from Brussels in Belgium, Mechelen is a very walkable city with many central attractions that can be easily seen in a day. There’s definitely plenty of things to do in Mechelen on a short break. It is a city steeped in history. In fact, when Archduchess Margaret of Austria…
One day in Bratislava: what to put on your itinerary
Bratislava, the capital of Slovakia, is a perfect destination for a one-day trip. Located on the banks of the Danube river, this historically important city is relatively small, and most of the main attractions are located in and around its picturesque old town. The fact that Bratislava is just over 50 km from Vienna means…
2 days in Bordeaux France: your guide to the perfect itinerary
If you’re looking for an itinerary for 2 days in Bordeaux, this post has it for you. Bordeaux is full of wonderful historic buildings, fabulous museums, and a river to wander along, and it is within easy reach of other great places if you’re looking to go out and about on day trips. The Bordeaux…
2 days in Bologna: an itinerary for your short break
Bologna is one city you should definitely put on your list of Italian destinations. With its distinctive red roofs, elegant porticoes, and two leaning towers, not to mention an unrivalled foodie experience (which is really saying something in a country renowned for its superb cuisine), Bologna is a city that never fails to impress. This…
2 days in Venice: the top things to put on your itinerary
One of the most romantic cities in the world, Venice never seems to age. Riding high on the list of Italian tourist destinations, the city is packed full of architectural, artistic, culinary, and cultural delights. It’s a city of canals, so is famous for its bridges and gondolas, waterside basilicas and bell towers, fine mansions…
One day in Lausanne: the top things to do
Lausanne is Switzerland’s fourth largest city, situated in the French-speaking western part of the country. It’s a beautiful city that is split between an old town on a hill and a picturesque lakeside resort on the shores of Lake Geneva. When considering a trip to Switzerland, you might be tempted to visit the main cities…
One day in Brussels: the top things to put on your itinerary (2023)
Brussels, the capital of Belgium, is a fabulous place for a day trip or a short break and is one of the top European destinations to visit. It’s a beautiful city, with an elegant central square, fascinating historic sites and landmarks, a grand palace, leafy parks, and an excellent choice of museums. If you’re wondering…
One day in Rotterdam: the best things to do
Rotterdam, the Netherlands’ second largest city, is easy to see in one day. There’s plenty to do here, and despite its size and a population of more than 600,000 inhabitants, it is a city that is very easy to explore on foot. This post outlines the top things to do in one day in Rotterdam…
Visiting Versailles: A day trip to Versailles from Paris (2022)
The Palace of Versailles is a grand royal palace near Paris, France. A UNESCO World Heritage site, it is a massive residence (there are 2,300 rooms here!) with beautiful gardens set in extensive grounds that span over 63,000 square metres. It’s only around 12 miles from the French capital, so is easy to do as…
The 12 best things to do in Odense Denmark
The charming city of Odense in Denmark is home to a delightful old town, historic houses, museums, and a beautiful park and river to walk along. Famous for being the birthplace of Hans Christian Andersen, the author of over 150 children’s fairy tales, there are also several landmarks where you can learn about his life…
The 19 best things to do in Nuremberg, Germany (2022)
Nuremberg, Germany, is a city with many different attractions to offer visitors. There are medieval old streets and squares to wander through, castles and towers, and walks around the city walls and along the river. You can also learn about the city’s role in the Second World War, visit some outstanding museums, and go to…
A Loire Valley day trip from Paris
Paris, France’s ‘City of Light’, is a magical city with an abundance of sights to see, including the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre with the Mona Lisa, Montmartre, Notre Dame Cathedral, and the nearby Palace of Versailles. But after all this sightseeing, you might be looking to escape the hustle and bustle of central Paris. If…
The best things to do in Menton, France (2022)
Menton is a coastal town on the French Riviera in the south of France. Known colloquially as The Pearl of France, it’s easy to see why when you visit. It’s a picturesque little medieval town with small winding streets, colourful houses, and beautiful tropical and sub-tropical gardens set against a backdrop of the Mediterranean Sea. Queen…
The perfect itinerary for one day in Berlin (2022)
Berlin, Germany’s capital, is a beautiful and vibrant city that has something to offer everyone. It is also Germany’s largest city, so you might think it’s not possible to see the main sights in just one day in Berlin. But you can! Even if you can only have one or two days here, this is…
An itinerary for one day in Geneva Switzerland
Geneva is the second-largest city in Switzerland and is known for its scenic location near the Swiss Alps, its beautiful architecture, and its world-renowned museums. Although there are lots of things to see here, one day in Geneva is the perfect amount of time to explore this beautiful city. It’s enough time to see the…
Lucerne in winter: the 13 best things to do
Lucerne is a beautiful city located in central Switzerland. It is situated on the shores of Lake Lucerne and surrounded by the Swiss Alps. Due to its scenic location, Lucerne is a popular tourist destination all year round. However, winter is arguably the best time to visit. Lucerne in winter has snow-capped mountains, a Christmas…
The 11 best day trips from Nice, France
Nice in southern France is the capital of the French Riviera and the largest city on the Cote D’Azur on the Mediterranean coast. With its old town, beautiful architecture, and wide sweeping beach, Nice is a great place to visit any time of the year. Its position on the coast also means it’s ideally located…
Day trips from Porto
There are a plethora of places to choose from when you’re considering day trips from Porto. This post gives you 12 top places to pick from. Porto Portugal’s second largest city, Porto, is best known for being the centre of the port wine industry. Viewed from the banks of Vila Nova de Gaia, the city’s…
12 top day trips from Bern
Bern, the capital of Switzerland and a designated UNESCO World Heritage site, is a city with a rich history and a perfect place to visit for a short trip. It is home to excellent museums and some interesting attractions, including the Einstein Museum, the Rosengarten, and the Bear Park. My recent post highlights some of the…
2 days in Lisbon: your guide to a short break in Portugal’s capital
2 days in Lisbon, Portugal’s capital, is just enough time to get a feel for this captivating city. With its imperial architectural splendour, it is a city that harks back to a bygone age. Its elegant, tree-lined avenues and narrow cobbled side streets look almost as they did after the historic centre was rebuilt following…
How to spend one day in Bern
Bern, the capital of Switzerland, is a city with a rich history. Situated in the centre of the western part of the country, it is an excellent base for exploring all that Switzerland has to offer. The city is home to various museums and attractions, including the Einstein Museum, the Rosengarten, and the Bear Park….