Here are our travel team's favourite destinations for a bank holiday break or a long weekend over the coming months. All of these cities are a short flight from the UK, and we can arrange accommodation to suit all budgets. Our travel team can also put together bespoke itineraries, including tours, restaurant reservations and entertainment bookings tailored to your interests. Talk to your lifestyle manager to find out more about any of the below or for travel ideas across the globe.
Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Amsterdam's reputation as a weekend break may rest on its laidback approach to intoxicating substances and the lurid glow of its Red Light District, but the cultural hub of the Netherlands has much to offer travellers. ‘For a relaxed weekend surrounded by beautiful architecture and those famous canals, this is a wonderful place to visit for anyone wanting to explore one of the great European cities,' says Helene Falandry, one of our travel experts on Europe.
The recently reopened Hermitage Museum and the Van Gogh Museum will captivate art lovers, and our team can arrange boat trips on its concentric canals or hire bikes for a tour of the city's 14th-century churches, baroque palaces and gothic halls. ‘Amsterdam covers so many bases,' says travel specialist Rob Arrow. ‘It seems to have gone off the radar in recent years as a short-break destination, but it's so close to the UK and offers such a diverse range of options – for everything from hotels to restaurants – that it remains among our members' favourite European cities.'
Copenhagen, Denmark
The Danish capital is built on the Baltic islands of Zealand and Amager and, though separated from the Scandinavian mainland, its influence has for centuries extended throughout the region and beyond. Well-preserved medieval buildings, the 17th-century Rundetårn observatory and the rococo complex of Frederiksstaden are among its architectural highlights, while the best way to experience the city is to amble through its centre or the coastal Langelinie promenade, stopping off at its laidback restaurants and cafes. ‘Relaxing with a coffee or a glass of wine at one of Copenhagen's pavement cafes is a particularly memorable experience', says Helene. ‘Most supply blankets and heaters for al fresco dining, too'. Since the completion of the Oresund Bridge at the turn of the Millennium, visitors to Copenhagen can also make the short trip across the strait to Malmo in Sweden – call us to arrange.
Valencia, Spain
‘This is the new Barcelona,' says Rob. ‘If you want to see what the Catalan capital was like 10 years ago, visit Valencia.' This city on the Mediterranean, with its medieval old town and thrumming nightlife, is relatively unexplored by UK travellers, but that's set to change over the coming years. Rob says: ‘Valencia is still something of an up-and-coming destination, so luxury boutique hotels – such as the Hospes Palau de La Mar and the Westin Palace – are cheaper here than similar properties in Barcelona, making it a good option for an affordable luxury break.'
And while Barcelona has Gaudi, Valencia has its own architectural luminary. Santiago Calatrava Valls designed the sweeping arcs and elliptic spaces of the iconic City of Arts and Sciences, a futuristic cultural complex that epitomises Valencia's progressive spirit.
Dubrovnik, Croatia
This walled city on the Adriatic coast at the southern tip of Croatia is a UNESCO world heritage site with a long history and a bright future. ‘Dubrovnik was traditionally one of southern Europe's great tourist cities,' says Rob. ‘It's now regained its confidence following the Balkan wars of the 1990s and is reasserting itself as one of the continent's must-see destinations.' The old town, which dates to the 14th century, is built within the thick city walls that gaze down across its distinctive terracotta rooftops and pale grey stones to the Adriatic. Its winding streets and steep, narrow steps can be comfortably explored in a bid to uncover its hidden islands, including the wooded isle of Lokrum, on which Richard the Lionheart was said to have been shipwrecked on his return from the crusades.
‘Dubrovnik has a good selection of restaurants, too – ask your lifestyle manager for tips – and hotels to suit any budget,' says Rob. ‘Our favourite is the Dubrovnik Palace, which is close to the old town and has rooms overlooking the sea.'
Costa del Sol, Spain
‘The Costa del Sol is a popular choice for a summer holiday but it's often overlooked as a weekend destination, despite allowing members to effortlessly combine the culture of the city with the calm of sea,' says Rob. Malaga, the birthplace of Pablo Picasso, is a city of medieval castles, ancient Roman amphitheatres, summer festivals and lively nightclubs, while 20 minutes away is the peace and quiet of Puerto Banus, with its peaceful harbour-side restaurants and bars.
We can book accommodation in between the two locations, such as the Finca Courtesin spa hotel, and we'll arrange transport and restaurant reservations too. ‘Gone are the days when the Costa del Sol was more closely associated with a full English breakfast than Andalucían cooking,' says Rob. ‘The area is forging its own culinary identity, based on the region's abundant produce and gastronomic traditions.'
Connect with Ten Lifestyle