Going on holiday is a non-negotiable part of summer – and also one of the most stressful parts, thanks to the various logistical hurdles you have to jump to make your getaway make sense. This is what makes shorter, shorter-haul and more concentrated holidays so appealing, being less faff and less cost than a prohibitively-expensive long-haul flight to somewhere distant.
Indeed, if you’re feeling cash-strapped and short on time, a city break presents you with the absolute best bang-for-buck from a holidaymaking perspective. But still, there’s the matter of putting a city break together. Here, we will explore how you can plan your city break for max efficiency and max fun; for a well-organised experience, enjoyable, and packed with meaningful experiences, without feeling overwhelmed. Let’s get started!
Choosing the Right City for Your Travel Style
And the best place to get started is, somewhat self-evidently, with your chosen destination. There are countless cities to visit, each of which have their own unique cultures and experiences for you to uncover – so which ones should you prioritise?
Well, that depends on your ideal form of travel holidaymaking. If you want art history, it’s an Italian city all the way, be it Florence or Milan. If you want countercultural smarts, Barcelona and Madrid are hard to overlook. If you want a melting pot of cultures, cuisines and nightlife, a New York city break is one of the more thrilling options on the list.
Building a Balanced and Realistic Itinerary
Wherever it is you settle on travelling, you’ll not want to travel with complete spontaneity in mind; that’s the quickest route to wasted time and money. Rather, you’ll want to think carefully about the makeup of each day, in order to maximise your experiences and make the most of your time.
Crucially, writing up an itinerary early does not mean cramming every day with multiple different sightseeing tours or whistlestop visits to bucket list places. You can absolutely price in downtime in your urban travels; just leave yourself some hours to acquaint yourself more intimately with a specific neighbourhood, and you’ll find out the joys of marrying city breaks with ‘slow travel’.
Why Location Matters When Booking Accommodation
One of costlier elements of a city break is accommodation, which can quickly become impossible to finance if you’re staying in the centre, at the height of the ‘on’ season. This is why location is a key consideration when booking where to stay in a city – and why transport considerations are vital ahead of time, too.
In thinking about accommodation, you’re also affording yourself the opportunity to become better-acquainted with local transport options, whether metros, buses or even bike-hire schemes. In fact, staying a little out of the way gives you more opportunities to explore off the beaten track, and find favoured local neighbourhoods to explore and enjoy.