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 offer the best of both worlds: lazy days on the beach and the buzz of a city alive with energy. Nestled on Spain's northeastern coast, the city boasts a warm Mediterranean climate, making it ideal for sightseeing amidst sunny days or unwinding on its golden beaches. Barcelona is steeped in history, so in between marvelling at Gaudi's architectural wonders, you can wander the charming, medieval streets of the Gothic Quarter. Add to that the delicious flavours, one of the most iconic football stadiums in the world, and beautiful parks, Barcelona city breaks have something to offer everyone.

Catalan roots

Barcelona's soul is undeniably Catalan. Its unique culture can be seen in everything from its distinct language and culture to its mouthwatering cuisine. You can immerse yourself in the vibrant local scene by attending one of the city's many festivals. Alternatively, embark on a culinary adventure and savour the essence of Catalonia on your plate. Sample traditional dishes like escalivada (roasted vegetables) or butifarra (spiced sausage) for an authentic taste of the region.

Best things to do in Barcelona

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. Stroll along pedestrian friendly streets where trendy shops mingle with Gaudi's architectural wonders and ancient churches. The best part? Beach time! The Mediterranean is on the doorstep, so you can conquer Barcelona's must-sees in the morning and be lounging on the sand by afternoon.  

From medieval to modernist, the city is the perfect blend of old and new. Barcelona, the city of Gaudi is home to his unfinished masterpiece, La Sagrada Familia, scheduled for completion in the next few years. Fans shouldn't miss a chance to see the skeleton balconies of Casa Batlló and Casa Mila. But the hillside Park Güell is like stepping inside the artist’s weird but wonderful imagination. For more creative masterpieces make sure you squeeze in a trip to the Contemporary Art and Picasso Museum.

Over in Ciutat Vella (the 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 the Mercat de la Boqueria food market, or watching a FC Barcelona home game at the Camp Nou Stadium.

La Barceloneta is the city’s answer to Miami’s South Beach. There’s always something going on along this 4km long stretch. Craving fresh seafood after a day of sun?  Waterfront restaurants line the coast, ready to tantalise your taste buds with Catalan specialties. Once your batteries are recharged, wind down with a drink on La Rambla or in the Gothic Quarter.

Hotels in Barcelona

Whether you’re looking for a cheap hotel in Barcelona, or looking to book Hilton Barcelona, we have a wide selection of hotels in Barcelona for you to choose from.

Venice holidays will have any old-world romantic swooning over its moonlit gondola rides, Lady and the Tramp style spaghetti-filled hotspots and fairytale-like palaces. That’s when its UNESCO World Heritage Site backdrop made up of 400 timeless bridges and 16th-century Baroque churches aren’t capturing the hearts of history hunters. And that’s before we mention its alluring art scene! Think Picasso, Dali and Miro creations decorating the walls of the Palazzo Venier dei Leoni. 

With our Venice city breaks, you’ll witness dreamy sunsets over the Grand Canal, sip macchiatos on rooftop terraces and lose yourself among winding cobbles adorned with cosy cocktail hideaways and chic boutiques. Sounds enchanting, right?

6 reasons to visit Venice 

• Captivating culture: From Italian Renaissance art to Byzantine-influenced architecture and 100 history-stuffed museums, Venice is packed with over 1,200 years of rich heritage.
• World-renowned cuisine: Heavily influenced by the lagoon’s bounty, expect calamari rings, scallops and shrimp dipped in batter and crisped to perfection! That’s when you’re not chowing down on bolognese or creamy risotto. 
• Never a bad time to visit: Venice city breaks are year-round with hot summers and cool winters, but the best time to visit is during spring and autumn. 
• Iconic hotspots: Rialto Bridge at sunset, Peggy Guggenheim Collection for iconic art, All’Arco for a true Venetian Breakfast and Doge’s Palace for your history fix. 
• Laid-back lifestyle: Immerse yourself in the Venetian way of life - relaxed, care-free, and somewhat otherworldly.
• Wine for days: Dotted with wine bars, including the popular Vino Vero, Al Merca and Estro, it won’t be hard to find a glass of prosecco rosé or a bottle of fruity Valpolicella (a medium-bodied red).
   

Things to do

Combine museum-hopping in the Dorsoduro District with market browsing at Rialto and orchestral sounds at Piazza San Marco with our Venice city breaks. For panoramic views check out the 360-degree vistas at St. Mark’s Campanile. Or maybe you’re a foodie searching for the best Cicchetti (an Italian tapas dish) in one of the city’s waterfront bacaros AKA wine bars. Either way, there are endless big-name attractions in Italy’s Floating City. After all, it wasn’t dubbed the centre of European art and architecture for no reason. 

Explore its beautiful backdrop   

The real star of any holiday to Venice has to be the city’s mesmerising setting. Located in northeast Italy along the country’s Adriatic coast and built on almost 120 small islands, it’s unlike any other destination in the world. And the best way to see it? Well, it can only be by gondola or waterbus (vaporetti), of course! 

Ride the Grand Canal and wind through idyllic alleyways passing must-visit sites such as the Rialto Bridge, Ca D’oro and the Peggy Guggenheim Museum along the way. Get off at St. Mark’s Square, one of the most famous piazzas across the globe, for a bite to eat at Osteria Ae Sconte. This delicious hotspot is open until 11pm and has gained quite the reputation for its seafood risotto! 

But there’s more to this Italian gem than cityscapes, and Lido di Venezia is it. Best known for its toe-sinking sands and proudly the home of Venice Film Festival, this blissful beach resort is perfect for sun-seeking couples.

Get lost among world-famous architecture

No trip to Venice is complete without admiring its most historic structures. You only have to take one look at 900-year-old St Mark’s Basilica to see what all the fuss is about. We’re talking 500 Byzantine columns, 85,000 square feet of mosaics made out of real gold and an altar constructed of pearls, sapphires and rubies!

Doge’s Palace should also be on your radar. As the former home of 120 Dukes and a prison of the Venetian public. With over 1,000 years of influences from the Byzantine, Gothic and Renaissance eras, you can explore everything from works of art by Veronese, Titian and Tintoretto that depict the city’s history to weapons and cells deep down in the dungeons. 

For examples of old meets new, the Punta della Dogana is a former 16th-century Venetian Republic Customs House that splits the Grand Canal from the Giudecca Canal with its triangular form. It’s now used as a contemporary art space housing collections from François Pinault after undergoing a striking reinvention by Japanese architect Tadao Ando in 2009.

Discover one of Europe’s most romantic destinations

Looking to reignite an old spark? Or maybe you’re thinking about the ultimate proposal spot. With a Venice Holiday, you’ll fall head-over-heels not only for each other but your surroundings. Every night is date night in the Floating City, and nothing will captivate you more than a love story showcased through ballet and opera at Theatre La Fenice. And is there anything more romantic than snuggling up under the moonlit sky on a gondola as you coast the Grand Canal? Ask to float by the Bridge of Sighs, the rumour has it, if you kiss while passing under the 1,600-year-old structure you’ll find happiness and eternal love. 

Drift over to Torcello and follow in the footsteps of the great writer Ernest Hemingway. Escape the crowds and opt for a cosy lunch at the Michelin-starred Locanda Cipriani, also a renowned wedding hotspot. Before checking out the Byzantine mosaics in the 7th-century Cathedral of Santa Maria Dell ‘Assunta. Or follow one of the many walking paths through the nature preserve that makes up most of the island. 

More Travel Guides

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