Hotels in Dubrovnik

Zagreb city breaks mean discovering a vibrant national capital, complete with superb gastronomic offerings and a lively bar scene. Historic sights dot the cobbled streets of the quaint Upper Town, while a cutting-edge Museum of Contemporary Art stands on the other side of the Sava river. All is connected by an affordable, user-friendly network of trams and buses.

 What might a day in Zagreb look like? Well, mornings start with top-quality coffee, ideally taken on a pretty terrace, and many local restaurants offer lunchtime deals. Sightseeing can be interspersed with relaxing walks amid city greenery, or a tram ride along atmospheric Ilica, the oldest street in town.

Arrive at the right time of year and you might also find street performances on every other corner or a Christmas market filling the city – there’s a year-round calendar of festivals in Zagreb. Dinner depends on you – fine dining at an ornate, heritage hotel or inventive cuisine concocted from what’s fresh at the market that day?

Nights run late in Zagreb and may involve an in-the-know haunt of alt-rock, top cocktails or a bar crawl with easy distances between drinking spots.

Take a tour of the city museums

Stately museums filled with art treasures line the Green Horseshoe, the tranquil network of parks and squares that’s a focal point of the Lower Town. It’s not all Grand Masters – the most popular museum in town displays the strange items left over from romantic break-ups.

Go bar-hopping

Bars of all stripes are concentrated along one downtown street – the Mediterranean-flavoured Tkalciceva, near the main square – and around the flower market nearby. Live music is staged at a top-notch concert hall and alternative venues across town.

Tuck into Michelin-star meals

Earning its first Michelin star in 2019, Zagreb can compete with the top culinary capitals in the region. Contemporary dining options complement the ornate, heritage restaurants on the city’s leafy slopes, with everything in between. Look forward to plenty of fresh, seasonal ingredients, much of it organic.

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We also have travel guides available for destinations, including: Brac Island | Dalmatian Coast | Dubrovnik | Hvar | Korcula | Makarska | Rovinj | Split | Zadar 

As the birthplace of the Renaissance, Florence is a treasure trove of painting and sculpture. Brimming with culture, its entire city centre is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Art lovers aren't the only ones happy here; shoppers revel in local jewellery and leather, while foodies indulge in Tuscan cuisine and wine.

Simply walking around the historical centre will give you a sense of centuries past. One of the best places to visit in Florence is Italy's largest museum, the Uffizi Gallery, where masterworks of world-famous artists are gathered.

Perfect for exploring

If you love to explore new places on foot then Florence is the perfect city for you to visit. It feels pleasantly compact, and the Arno river runs through the centre to give you an easy reference point. Take your time crossing the Ponte Vecchio as you stop to browse the shops that line the bridge and admire the views across the water. On the south bank of the river head up to Piazzale Michelangelo for incredible views back over the city.

Great sights

Make your way back down to level ground and take the short walk to Pitti Palace and its Giardino Boboli. The gardens are ideal for a lazy stroll as you gaze up at ancient statues and lose yourself in the peaceful calm. Cross back to the north of the river and visit Florence’s stunning cathedral, which is one of the biggest in the world and a great place to snap lots of memorable holiday photos.

Delicious cuisine

After a long day of sightseeing you’ll need a nice meal to help you recharge the batteries. Luckily the cuisine in Florence is based around hearty dishes that make the most of fresh local ingredients. Have your fill of traditional Tuscan food and sip some of the region’s famous wine as you plan your next day in this lovely city.

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We also have travel guides available for destinations, including: Amalfi | Ischia Porto | Lake Garda | Limone | Malcesine | Rome | Sant'Agnello | Sardinia | Sicily | Sorrento | Venetian Riviera | Venice

Barcelona holidays are a fusion of laid-back beach days and vibrant city life. Set on Spain’s northeast coast with a balmy Mediterranean climate, it's the perfect setting for sightseeing or relaxing on its golden sands. It’s also home to centuries of history, so when you’re not exploring Gaudi’s modernist spectacles you could be getting lost in the medieval streets of the Gothic Quarter. Now throw in tasty Catalan dishes, one of the world’s most famous football stadiums and amazing green spaces, and you’ve got a city that ticks all the boxes.

6 reasons to visit Barcelona

• Food glorious food: Start your day with freshly baked bread drizzled in olive oil and smeared with tomatoes (pan tumaca), before digging into vegetable stew (escudella) for lunch. As for dinner, it has to be coca! Think of it as a Catalan mini pizza, this flatbread is usually topped with roasted vegetables and sausage. 
• The perfect beach & city combo: If you want the best of both worlds, Barcelona holidays won’t disappoint. Think cutting-edge architecture, trendy fashion stores and narrow cobbled streets fronted by three miles of sun-soaked coastline. 
• Awe-inspiring Gaudi architecture: No trip to Barcelona is complete without admiring the world-renowned Sagrada Familia (let’s face it, you can’t miss it!), quirky Casa Batllo and Park Guell, just some of Antoni Gaudi’s stand-out creations. 
• Historic city centre: It’s easy to lose yourself in Barcelona’s Gothic quarter, and trust us, you want to! These maze-like streets hide some of the city’s oldest restaurants such as Can Culleretes, as well as cocktail lounges, a jaw-dropping 13^th century cathedral and one of Gaudi’s first projects (the street lamps decorating Plaça Reial, one of Spain’s grandest squares). 
• An epic art scene: Whether you’re searching for Picasso masterpieces, murals by Miro or contemporary pieces by independent artists, you’re not short of exhibits to visit. From the Centre of Contemporary Culture to the National Art Museum of Catalonia.
• Football famous: The largest stadium in Europe with a capacity of 100,000, the atmosphere at Camp Nou is electrifying. Catch FC Barcelona in action or bag yourself an exclusive tour. But for trophies, memorabilia and football shirts worn by sports legends, be sure to make a pitstop at its museum. Some stadium tours include an immersive VR experience. Tickets aren’t cheap but children under four can join for free.

Things to do

Barcelona is the ultimate city break destination, surrounded by mountains on one side and the sea on the other. And there are more than enough attractions to fill a long weekend. Walk streets perfect for shoppers and sightseers, where trendy boutiques sit close to Gaudi’s modernist masterpieces and centuries-old churches. It’s right by the Med too, so you can tick off the capital’s biggest sights in the morning and hit the beach in the afternoon. Then, when you’ve had enough sun for one day, there are plenty of waterside restaurants serving tasty Catalan seafood. Whatever it is you want from your next city break, Barcelona has it by the bucketload.

A vibrant beach scene

Cool off in the sea atone of Barcelona’s stunning beaches. La Barceloneta is the city’s answer to Miami’s South Beach. There’s always something going on along this 4km long stretch and its buzzing boardwalk is the perfect place to take it all in with restaurants, cafes and chiringuitos (beach bars) overlooking its sands. 

If you want to try some watersports on your Barcelona city break, look no further than Nova Icària. Windsurfing is a must on breezy Med days. Prefer your beach days a little bit more peaceful?  Then, hop on the metro to Bogatell. This Blue Flag beauty is great for relaxing dips and games of volleyball. Once your batteries are recharged, wind down with a drink in La Rambla or the Gothic Quarter.

Cultural treasures

Barcelona’s culture starts with its architecture. From medieval to modernist, the city is the perfect blend of old and new. Fans of Gaudi shouldn't miss a chance to see the skeleton balconies of Casa Batlló and his unfinished masterpiece, La Sagrada Familia. But the hillside Park Güell is like stepping inside the artist’s weird but wonderful imagination. From a dragon fountain to an elephant cave and his former home, this iconic green space is one of a kind. For more art-filled attractions, make sure you squeeze in a trip to the Contemporary Art and Picasso Museum.

Over in Ciutat Vella (Old City) you’ll find some of Europe’s best-preserved landmarks. Standing high above the ancient streets, you can’t miss Barcelona Cathedral - the centrepiece of the Gothic Quarter. Besides its well-known buildings, there’s no better way to see the city like a local than a shopping trip at at the Mercat de la Boqueria food market, or watching a home game at the 100,000-seater Camp Nou Stadium.

Catalan roots

Barcelona’s Catalonian origins are an important part of the city. From its own history, language and cuisine, there are so many ways to absorb this unique culture. Festivals are big here, with celebrations across just about every neighbourhood. Plan your Barcelona holidays in autumn and attend two of its biggest events: National Day of Catalonia (11th September) and La Mercè (24th September). Alternatively, food is another great way to get a taste of the city’s Catalan traditions. Look out for popular dishes like escalivada (roasted red peppers, aubergineand onions) or butifarra (a spiced sausage) for the most authentic dining experience.

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We also have travel guides available for destinations, including: Balearic Islands | Canary Islands | Costa Almeria | Costa Blanca | Costa Brava | Costa Dorada | Costa del Sol | Fuerteventura | Gran Canaria | Lanzarote | Tenerife | Ibiza | Madrid | Malaga | Majorca | Menorca

The capital of Greece and one of the oldest cities in the world, Athens is a fascinating destination where ancient landmarks jostle together with bustling neighbourhoods and huge cosmopolitan nightclubs.

A city break in Athens promises plenty of history, culture, nightlife, and unforgettable sights that you’ll treasure the memory of forever. Explore the city’s rich past at the Acropolis, browse the boutiques in Plaka, then round off your day at the spectacular Odeon of Herodes Atticus theatre.

Things to do

There’s something to suit every holidaymaker in Athens. History fans will love exploring ancient ruins, like the world-famous Acropolis of Athens and the Parthenon. The Temple of Olympian Zeus is another must, while the Ancient Agora of Athens is similarly impressive.

Enjoy modern Athenian culture when you explore beautiful and bustling local neighbourhoods. There are plenty of shops and traditional eateries scattered around. At the same time, the nightlife is sure to meet even the highest expectations of the Greek capital city.

Sights

Athens is an ideal destination for keen historians and those looking to immerse themselves in ancient culture. Start at the Acropolis, the ancient citadel of Athens, where several ancient remains remain for visitors to explore. The Parthenon is the most iconic, while the modern Acropolis Museum is the perfect place to learn about the area. You should also try and make time to see Ancient Agora, the heart of the city centuries ago, and the Temple of Olympian Zeus.

Athens doesn’t have many green spaces, which makes Stavros Niarchos Park even more special. Its landscaped paths, children’s playground, and proximity to the ocean make this park an ideal place to cool off.

Neighbourhoods

Like many major cities, Athens is home to several neighbourhoods, attracting diverse residents and visitors to the one that suits them best.

Start with Plaka, a busy tourist-favourite at the centre of old Athens. It’s a beautiful area to stroll around, getting lost in small lanes among rows of pastel buildings. Next, Kolonaki is a wealthy residential neighbourhood with lots of luxurious bars, restaurants, and shops.

Syntagma is Athens’ political heart, while Monastiraki is famous for its flea market and bustling narrow lanes. Gazi-Kerameikos is the city’s youthful art, design, and nightlife district, transforming to accommodate local and tourist revellers when the sun goes down.

Searching for something quieter? Head to Thissio, a beautiful residential neighbourhood with plenty of independent eateries and shops.

Food & drink

Greek food uses typical Mediterranean ingredients, with many unique elements and dishes you won’t find anywhere else. When in Athens, expect plenty of grilled meat and fish, delicious fresh salads, olive oil, and flatbreads. Try traditional meze, selecting small plates including various dips, olives, bread, vegetables, meat, and cheese. Moussaka is another must, with layers of aubergine, minced lamb, tomato, and spices. Charcoal-grilled meat and fish is always a good option in Athens, often served with fresh tomatoes, yoghurt, and flatbreads.

In the mood for something sweet? Athenians have plenty to offer, including flaky filo pastry desserts sweetened with honey and basted in olive oil. Grab some traditional baklava for a perfect end to any meal, or enjoy local honey on Greek yoghurt for breakfast.

Nightlife

If you’re interested in experiencing Athens’ vibrant nightlife, you’ll have plenty of choices no matter what you’re into. Enjoy a luxurious evening of dinner and cocktails or party like a local in a lesser-known bar or nightclub.

Koukaki is ideal for floating between sophisticated bars, while Gazi is a must for fans of super clubbing. Psyrri is a trendy, gentrified area with endless bars and music spots. Patsion is home to one of Athens’ oldest bars, Au Revoir Bar, a must if you’re exploring local history.

Athens Riviera

Athens Riviera is the coastal area south of the city, where visitors can enjoy sunbathing and swimming along the beautiful shore. The sheltered coastline is fringed with palm trees and dotted with parasols and sunbeds. There are beach bars and clubs where holidaymakers can grab a drink or bite to eat and settle in for a comfy few hours in the sun or shade.

The beach is just 20 minutes drive out of Athens, and while you might not want to hire a car for your city break, many taxis and busses can get you there for just a few Euros.

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We also have travel guides available for destinations, including Corfu | Crete | Halkidiki | Kassiopi | Kavos | Kalamata | Kefalonia | Kos | Mykonos | Olympius Riviera | Parga | Rhodes | Roda | Santorini | Sidari | Skiathos | Skopelos | Zante