In the midst of your hectic daily life, do you feel yourself losing your mind by the second? Nothing can help heal your poor, long-suffering soul quite like a getaway, but leaving for three weeks when your time and money are limited can be a challenging (and possibly impossible) task. If this characteristic describes you perfectly, then fret not, because we have the perfect solution for you. A weekend escape is the ideal way to alleviate your soul’s frustration. When you’re under the gun, you don’t want to waste valuable time planning (and sometimes bettering) your life, let alone do the same for your travels. So how can you escape the rat race for just a couple of days? Which destination would grant you 48 hours of culture, relaxation, and adventure? Here is our guide to the best weekend getaways when you are desperate for a vacation!
Travel Like a Pro: Check Out These Must-Have Travel Accessories!
1. Barcelona, Spain
With its palm-lined beaches and remarkable architecture, Barcelona is a great place for a short but intense break. You can fill your days sightseeing at the works of Gaudi — including the Sagrada Família — before enjoying the city’s buzzing nightlife, stopping off for tapas in the Gothic Quarter on the way. The city is compact enough to see a lot in a short space of time.
2. Paris, France
Paris is the city of love, lights and seduction. Even if you visited it before, there is always something new to see and experience. Visit the Louvre, walk along the Seine and enjoy a croissant in a local patisserie. Paris is a good choice for a romantic weekend or an individual getaway.
3. Amsterdam, Netherlands
A lovely enough city to spend a weekend in, with its picturesque canals and buzzing arts scene. Hire a bike to cycle around like a local; visit the Van Gogh Museum; check out
4. Lisbon, Portugal
It’s the views, the vintage trams, the pastéis de Nata and Bairro Alto that get the love. Tourists follow a simple script — they go to Lisbon, wander the Alfama during the day, eat pastéis de Nata, and party in Bairro Alto at night. Once is okay. Twice, Lisbon loses her lustre.
5. Vienna, Austria
Vienna’s a city of music, history and fin-de-siecle architecture. Visit the Schönbrunn Palace, an evening concert at one of the city’s music venues and a slice of Sachertorte at a traditional café. A cultured weekend is easily found in Vienna.
Don’t Leave Home Without These Top-Rated Travel Essentials!
6. Edinburgh, Scotland
History, culture and natural beauty meet in the Scottish capital of Edinburgh. Hike up the extinct volcano of Arthur’s Seat, wander through the enchanting medieval Old Town, and soak up the atmosphere at Edinburgh Castle. The compact dimensions of the city mean you can take in a great deal in a short period.
7. Prague, Czech Republic
Prague is the stuff of fairy tales: with its splendid castle, delightful old town and lively nightlife, it would take you a weekend to walk across the Charles Bridge, visit Prague Castle and have a beer in another of its pubs. A good destination for a quick break.
8. Rome, Italy
Rome is all about timeless history and culture. Spend your weekend gazing at the Colosseum, walking through the Roman Forum, and tossing a coin in the Trevi Fountain, accompanied by mouth-watering Italian gelato. A quick trip to Italy’s capital is guaranteed to be magical.
9. Copenhagen, Denmark
With great design, excellent food, and friendly locals, Copenhagen is a great place to visit. Walk the quayside at the historic harbour of Nyhavn, see the city from above in Tivoli Gardens, or try the city’s world famous Nordic cuisine. Copenhagen is laid-back, making it very relaxing, but at the same time very fun to visit over a weekend.
10. Reykjavik, Iceland
How about something just a little different? Yes, Vienna has plenty of culture, but how about Iceland’s Reykjavik, with its Blue Lagoon and Golden Circle? Just far enough out of the life-as-usual realm, but, then again, it has an active arts scene. Reykjavik. Water and fire — and arts. Go for the weekend and then some.
Upgrade Your Travel Experience: Essential Gear for Your Next Trip!
So What’s Stopping You?
‘But I don’t have time to plan a trip!’ ‘Travel is too expensive!’ Well, you can relax: these cities are well serviced by major airports and there are loads of bargains to be had. Many even have excellent public transport networks, so you don’t always need to hire a car. A weekend trip, in particular, can be carefully planned, something that’s easy to do when booking a flight and hotel online (trusted travel agencies are also another option).
Conclusion
This way, go! The ideal getaway is only a plane journey away! Whether you are looking for a romantic break, an adrenalin rush, or an exciting cultural adventure — these cities offer it all. Pack your luggage, buy the ticket, take off — a breath of fresh air is not far!