Don’t want to go too far away for the Bank Holiday weekend but still keen to experience something a bit special? With cheap flights across Europe, and cheap hotels to be found in practically any city, you can pretty much take your pick from some of the best cities on the continent.

scan0003 © by vpisteve

1. Paris

The ‘City of Romance’ is only a few hours away even if you’re travelling by train. The convenience of the EuroTunnel means you can hop on the train in London and get off in Paris after a quick journey under the ocean.

Upon arrival, you have a huge number of attractions to keep you busy for as long as you want to stay. Take your pick from the Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame, the Arc de Triomphe, Champs-Élysées and a number of other world-class attractions.

Alternatively, take the kids and spend a few days in Disneyland Paris if you want to make it into a fun family break.

2. Berlin

With its fascinating history, warm atmosphere, and abundance of good food and beer, the historic city of Berlin is an ideal destination to keep you entertained for a few days over the Bank Holiday.

There are plenty of top attractions to keep you busy, so check out:

• The Reichstag, designed by Norman Foster, where the German Parliament is housed
• The 18^th-century Brandenburg Gate
• Remnants of the Berlin Wall throughout the city
• The Holocaust Memorial

3. Amsterdam

Amsterdam has a reputation as a popular destination for backpackers and students who are looking for a weekend of partying. However, Amsterdam is a cultural gem that should not be dismissed as just another party city. In fact, it is the ideal place to spend a relaxing weekend, and the flight only lasts a few hours.

When you arrive, organise a canal boat tour to get a very different view of the city; discover incredible art collections at the Rembrandt House Museum, the popular Van Gogh Museum and the Rijksmuseum; and visit the poignant but fascinating Anne Frank House.

4. Barcelona

Barcelona is still very hot at this time of year, so take your swimming costume and spend at least some of your weekend relaxing on the beach. Other than that, make sure you fill up on fresh fish in beachside restaurants and sip cool Sangria long into the night, and you’ll have a fantastic time in one of the coolest cities in Europe.

Highlights include:

• A tour of La Sagrada Familia, Gaudí’s unfinished cathedral
• Going for a stroll along La Rambla
• Exploring Parc Güell
• Visiting the Picasso Museum

 5. Brussels

Brussels is known for its love of beer, so at least some of your time here should be spent in a local bar discovering what all the fuss is about. You’ll find more than just lager being served, with fruit beers being especially popular, and it is a great way to meet the locals.

The Grand Place is the biggest attraction here, but other key places of interest include the gothic church of Notre Dame du Sablon, the impressive Royal Museum of Fine Arts which houses one of the best art collections in the world, and the area of Sablon which is especially famous for the renowned chocolatiers who are based here – look out for free samples!

Bookmark It

It can be more than a bit annoying if you are hoping to get away from your hectic home life for some peace and quiet, only to find that your hotel of choice is crawling with chattering tourists from all corners of the globe. How can you avoid this problem? Well, you could either travel during the off-season and hope that no one else had the same idea, or, you could choose to travel to one of these secret havens for the getaway of a lifetime.

Udaipur, India © by ronancrowley

The following five hotels are all hidden away in some of the world’s most beautiful locations both near and far, and because they house only a small number of guests at a time, you’ll be getting the peaceful getaway you deserve.

1. Les Deux Freres, French Riviera

The French Riviera is not usually a place you would expect to find peace and get away from the crowds, however, this quaint 19th century school building that has been renovated into a typical French guesthouse offers just that. It has only ten rooms so you won’t feel overwhelmed even when it is running at full capacity. It is situated at the top of an impressive cliff, which makes for an excellent view of the sea and surrounding hills, and unless you want to, you won’t even need to leave the hotel at all, as the fully equipped bar and restaurant leave nothing to be desired.

2. The One Hotel Angkor, Siem Reap, Cambodia

Cambodia may not be at the top of your list when it comes to planning a relaxing holiday, but this hotel certainly breaks the mould. It only has one suite, and as the only guest, you won’t have to worry about bumping into other guests in the hallways or queuing for seating in a crowded dining room. The hotel is an old colonial building that has been modernized to include everything from a Jacuzzi to an elaborate shower to silk sheets and a private dining area on the roof.

3. Albergo California, Positano, Italy

This lovely family-owned hotel is located in the beautiful little Italian coastal town of Positano, a great place to visit if you are looking to ditch the flock of tourists that migrates to Italy’s coast every summer. The hotel has a total of 15 spacious rooms on different floors. Most rooms have a generous view of the sea or the town, but if you happen to be put up in a room without one, the terrace is a perfect place to cosy up for hours with a good book and a few glasses of Italian vino.

4. Mount Haven Hotel, Cornwall, United Kingdom

Who says you need to visit exotic locations in faraway places to ease your mind after a tough year of hard work? Mount Haven is still a fairly new hotel, having opened around 2001, making it less visited than some of the others in the popular tourist county of Cornwall. The hotel has a view of St. Michael’s Mount as well as the sea, which can be viewed from most of its 18 plush rooms. The terrace and open bar area provides comfortable seating along with a wide variety of foods from traditional and organic English fair to deliciously spicy Indian curries.

5. The Oberoi Udaivilas, Udaipur, India

If after Cornwall you’re still craving something a bit further from home, then The Oberoi Udaivilas hotel in India is just what you need. This magnificent establishment couldn’t be further from what you are used to seeing in hotels at home, with its lavish suites complete with personal butlers to its private outdoor dining areas, swimming pools, spas and of course a spectacular view of the City Palace and majestic lake. It’s the perfect destination for anyone who is looking to skip out on reality for a few days and enjoy the finer things in life.

Author Bio

Aileen Pablo is part of the team behind Open Colleges, one of Australia’s leading providers of online TAFE courses equivalent and TESOL courses. When not working, Aileen blogs about travel, lifestyle, and beauty tips. She is also often invited as a speaker in Personality Development Seminars in the Philippines.

Bookmark It

If you thought there was only one side to Ibiza, think again. This beautiful island makes for an ideal summer holiday for the whole family, and one of the best things about it is the sheer variety of stunning beaches.

Ibiza, Spain © by Philip Larson

Wondering which beach to visit when you arrive in Ibiza? Here are a few of the top ones to check out during your stay.

Las Salinas

This is the beach to be seen at, and it is a popular haunt of the army of celebrities enjoying the party scene. It’s a mile long and is located right on the southern tip of island bordered by a pine forest.

It may not be the best beach for families due to its popularity with the party crowd, but it is a fun place to hang out if you are holidaying in the area, and there are lots of bars, restaurants and water sports to keep you entertained.

Cala D’en Serra

This small and beautiful bay is a world away from Las Salinas. Located on the north coast of the island, it is an oval-shaped beach surrounded by cliffs. You won’t find many celebrities here, and instead this beach is a popular hang-out for the locals.

Because it is so quiet is makes for a great choice when seeking out some peace and quiet, especially on the weekends. The clear waters are also ideal for snorkelling.

Cala Mastella

This is one of the smallest beaches in Ibiza, and also one of the most unspoiled. The stony ground may not be too kind on your feet, but in return you get to enjoy crystal clear water which is ideal for snorkelling.

It is located in the north, near to San Carlos, and is another beach popular with locals. You’ll only find a smattering of tourists here, making it feel exclusive and like a real discovery. Just make sure you get there early as there is not much space to share around.

S’Estanyol

This secluded cove is surrounded by cliffs and green forests, and there is also a picturesque rocky bay for snorkelling. It is located very near to Ibiza Town so one of its strong points is its ease of access, and you might even spot a few celebs here because it is so secluded.

Cala Llenya

Located in a valley near to Cala Mastella, this family beach is an excellent place to spend an entire day. The water is shallow which is ideal for swimming, there are restaurants so you can stay for lunch, and it does not get too crowded so it is a good bet any time of the year. There are also lots of water sports to keep you more than entertained.

Es Xarcu

Surrounded by cliffs and pine trees, this secluded beach is the perfect way for you to get back to nature. It is located on the south coast near to Cala Jondal, and is a tranquil place to relax in the sun with the locals.

Check Out the Beaches in Ibiza

If you are planning a trip to Ibiza then any of the above beaches could provide you with the ideal way to spend a day. There are plenty more to discover, and the above is just a small selection, so go exploring when you arrive and see what other beautiful beaches you can discover.

Bookmark It