The UK is a great launch pad for a European holiday, whether that's more extended travel or a mini break. Many European cities are only a few hours away from most major UK airports, so you can make the most of your time in your destination rather than it being eaten up by just getting there. Whether travelling on a budget or looking for a luxury escape, a city is perfect for any type of traveller.
Here are some of the most-loved destinations:
Dublin, Ireland
Known for its incredible green landscapes, prolific writers, poets, and folklore, the "Emerald Isle" is a beautiful place to visit. Dublin, the capital of Ireland, is no exception, with many different tourist attractions while staying true to its cultural heritage. As Dublin is a city, you won't see much of the country's great green fields or rolling hills, but there is still plenty of natural beauty to wow you. The River Liffey runs through the city and creates a romantic view of the surrounding bars, restaurants, and shops.
Here are some top tourist attractions you need to visit if travelling to Dulin:
National Botanic Gardens
Jameson Distillery
Dublin Castle
Trinity College Library
Berlin, Germany
Berlin is a city brimming with history and culture. The nightlife in Berlin is renowned for pushing the boundaries of music and clubbing, with tonnes of venues dedicated to techno or electro in unique locations such as old police stations and even ice bars. If clubbing is not your style, there is still plenty to see and do, from museums, monuments, and buildings of note, such as the Reichstag and Berlin Cathedral. Known by many people for different reasons, this city has something for everyone.
Berlin is also well known for its array of food options available, with plenty of plant-based restaurants popping up in the last decade. Everything from street food stalls to fine dining suits everyone's taste and budget.
This short journey makes Berlin perfect for a weekend getaway to experience something new. With flights from the UK being just around 2 hours, you can visit this city easily from any major airport. You can always make your journey and return home even quicker by purchasing advance car parking at the Stansted airport or anywhere you're flying from. Arranging car parking means no lugging your bags around on public transport and making the whole travelling process that bit smoother.
Verona, Italy
Venice is a city unlike any other, comprised of over 100 small islands linked by the famous waterways navigated by gondolas and different types of boats. With good public transport links to other amazing places within Italy, such as Verona and Lake Garda, Venice can be a day outing as part of a more extended holiday as well as being perfect for a short stay. Known as the city of love, a visit to this location will confirm that entirely for you.
Venice is perfect for a relaxed holiday as there is plenty to see and explore just by navigating through the city. Walking through the city is a little adventure in itself, as you never know what you are going to find when turning a corner or venturing down a little alleyway. The architecture of the houses, shops, and bridges alone will blow you away, but visiting Saint Mark's Basilica will leave you amazed. You can choose to admire this cathedral from the outside as part of the other beauty to be found in St Mark's Square, or you can take a tour of the inside, which is full of world-renowned mosaics and architecture.
Don't forget to stop for a famous gelato at one of the many stores dotted around the city. A creamy gelato is a perfect accompaniment to strolling around these romantic sights and sounds.
Barcelona, Spain
Barcelona is a city that oozes relaxed good vibes from the moment you arrive. Barcelona is a creative hub filled with different architectural styles from quarter to quarter, from gothic to baroque and modernist. While the nightlife is vibrant, there is so much to take in from a historical perspective, too, meaning that there is something for everyone to enjoy. Barcelona is also well known for being a coastal city, meaning that you can spend a day on the beach too, with countless beach bars, restaurants and clubs to visit. You can even book a sunset sailing experience as the perfect way to relax and enjoy your surroundings. What more could you ask for?