Page 5 | To be slightly done with Eurpopean city break type holidays?

LindorDoubleChoc · 2025-09-30T19:36:06+00:00

My one holiday this year involved 10 days split in a much loved European city, equal time in a smaller town a few hours away, plus a day in a pretty much unknown town just over the border in another country. And of course the inevitable 2 days travelling. All very pretty but all quite similar! Most of the 10 days of my holiday involved 12 to 15k steps because we had to see as much as we could while we were there. And, tbh, I just thought - this is all very nice but I could be in Rome/Barcelona/ Lisbon/Paris/Amsterdam/Bruges/Prague/Sienna/Montpellier/Munich/Faro/Seville/Cadiz/Cherbourg/Dinan/Porto ... anywhere I've already been really. We walk around and take photos for the sake of saying or feeling like we've been here. We will take in the major sights, read a bit about the city's history and not remember a thing about that after a few days! I won't be putting photos on IG or FB because that's not my thing. So why am I doing it? Perhaps I need a different type of holiday.

Crikeyalmighty · 02/10/2025 13:10

I also think a lot of this depends what you like doing - I’m not an art gallery or churches kind of person so am genuinely quite happy as a pig in shit looking around ‘foreign’ supermarkets or cafe leisurely lunches and spying bars and restaurants I fancy or walking round their parks/markets etc with an odd boat trip or tram trip or historical site mixed in with it and can enjoy most places of any size - my H will go off and scour book and record shops for several hours on his own too and he likes looking in supermarkets or food markets as well - I rarely take photos either and will frequently have an hour in hotel bar on my own with a magazine ( I take several) - but I’m very much someone who doesn’t want 24/7 togetherness even on holiday -

DontCallMeLenYouLittleBollix · 02/10/2025 13:22

TheCurious0range · 02/10/2025 05:48

Have you been somewhere like Crete? Beautiful island, beaches if you want them, lots of history and things to do, car hire is reasonable and the driving very easy. You can have a day walking to a local village and flopping by the pool or on the beach followed by a day at spinalonga, a trip to krissi Island (nature reserve great snorkeling), go up for lunch on the lasithi plateau, visit Knossos etc, mix it up. I do like a city break for shorter holidays but I can do a week or two somewhere like that and have the best of both worlds. We spent a few days in Marrakech , seeing mosques, galleries, museums etc then drove down to Essaouira, beaches, fresh fish, the women's argan collectives, art and music, again for the blend of busy city and relaxed coast both with history and different aspects of the culture. I think you might prefer a holiday that is more flexible and less all of one thing or another.

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Agree, I was also about to suggest Crete as a good option if you like to mix things up a bit.

oldFoolMe · 02/10/2025 13:29

Also bit bored of European city breaks, ultimately all feel the same to me except a different language spoken! These days I either do a few days in a city followed by a different place eg, naples then Ischia. Or I go somewhere entirely different for an adventure. But it depends what you like to do on holiday? One day city sightseeing is enough for me, I like active holidays hiking, kanoying, white water rafting ect.

TonTonMacoute · 02/10/2025 13:57

Perhaps I need a different type of holiday.

Yes, I think you do!

Arran2024 · 02/10/2025 15:54

We had a lovely few days in Lucerne in Switzerland a few years ago. It has architecture and churches etc but also the lake and mountains. As it's Switzerland the public transport is amazing. Slight drawback is the cost.

WinterWarmerthanexpected · 02/10/2025 16:40

I love Euro city holidays & different types of holidays too

It sounds like you are trying to pack too much into a short space of time.

Slow down

Get lost

People watch

Get public transport

Pick somewhere on the map near a city & go explore

Have you tried Iceland for the scenery & legends ?

Morocco ?

Cycling, sailing, boating holiday ?

CoffeeCantata · 02/10/2025 16:43

Cinaferna · 02/10/2025 07:44

My parents were like you. Adored Europe. They learned several European languages, travelled often in France, Italy, Spain and occasionally Germany or Switzerland. But zero interest in the rest of the world. Even when DSis lived somewhere stunning for several years and had small children. It was as if the wider world just didn't exist. Weird (to me). But DS2 seems similar.

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I know I’m a wrong’un!

But I was cheered cup to hear an interview with David Mitchell who said he has no interest in travelling beyond Europe, so I’m not the only one.

Sometimes we just know what we like and what suits us, and I do think that holidays are for doing what you actually enjoy, rather than challenging yourself to go outside your comfort zone. That may have it’s virtues, but it’s not a holiday!

LittleBitofBread · 02/10/2025 16:48

Cinaferna · 02/10/2025 07:02

We do a LOT of City breaks as DH hates sun sea sand holidays, hates anything involving water, so no island hopping or travel by boat etc.

I know what you mean. They all involve schlepping around busy cities.

But.. what I love is finding the unique aspects of each place. We both love art so if there are good galleries we look at a few favourite masterpieces. And then focus on what's special about that city.

In Lisbon we went to an amazing immersive theatre show about Pessoa, listened to fada, visited the incredible, weird castles in Sintra.

In Vienna we hiked up to the city vineyards and drank Sturm.

In Budapest we had a day in the thermal baths and visited the cave hospital museum.

These are all really different from each other.

But I do think holidays need a few lazy days too. When you are marching around hard pavements every day for 20k steps, you come home needing a break.

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DP and I went to some of the cities and towns in the Baltics awhile ago, and we used hireable electric bikes and scooters to get around them. It was a revelation! I hadn't realised (stupidly, perhaps) quite how tiring it is walking round cities and then walking round exhibitions or churches or whatever.
They're maybe a little expensive, but it was so convenient and saved our legs and energy. We were also able to just stop off at beaches or meadows or anywhere that caught our attention, which we can't usually do as we don't tend to hire a car on holiday and so are normally reliant on public transport.

CoffeeCantata · 02/10/2025 16:48

Kerrisk · 02/10/2025 07:46

But if you love history, art, architecture, landscape etc, there’s an enormous variety of these outside of Europe.

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I’m not interested in other visiting other cultures though, the exception possibly being Japan. I am quite knowledgeable about other cultures and history (Islamic, oriental etc) but I read about them, watch documentaries and let some presenter do the legwork for me on the telly.

i just can’t get enough of Europe!

soupyspoon · 02/10/2025 17:04

Ive seen a lot of threads over the years where someone will comment on a particular city, lets say Madrid or Seville or Granada or whatever (just plucking those cant think of the exampels I mean) and say 'you can do this in a couple of days, or you dont need more than 3 days to see this'

As if its some sort of marathon sprint before you get onto the next place

We spend a week in one place, sitting, eating, eating, day trips occasionally, bike rides, eating, drinking, eating, more sitting, churches, sites, buses trains, eating, drinking, you get the picture

DingDongJingle · 02/10/2025 17:09

soupyspoon · 02/10/2025 17:04

Ive seen a lot of threads over the years where someone will comment on a particular city, lets say Madrid or Seville or Granada or whatever (just plucking those cant think of the exampels I mean) and say 'you can do this in a couple of days, or you dont need more than 3 days to see this'

As if its some sort of marathon sprint before you get onto the next place

We spend a week in one place, sitting, eating, eating, day trips occasionally, bike rides, eating, drinking, eating, more sitting, churches, sites, buses trains, eating, drinking, you get the picture

I agree with this. I lived in Madrid for a year and still didn’t see everything I wanted to see! The joy of a city break is taking your time, sitting in bars/restaurants soaking up the atmosphere, discovering things you weren’t even looking for. Not racing around the ‘10 things you must do in Paris’ and going home again.

soupyspoon · 02/10/2025 17:11

We've been to Madrid more times than Ive had hot dinners and there are still tons of things I want to see and do.

soupyspoon · 02/10/2025 17:12

And we still havent been able to get into Casa Labra, either shut, holidays, attending a funeral, flooded out, road shut, owner is ill, or we're not on schedule

I cant believe it. I must go!

ClareBlue · 02/10/2025 17:15

We have just come back from the Coronian Spit in Lithuania. Then onto Palanga. Absolutely stunning.

JustGotToKeepOnKeepingOn · 02/10/2025 18:22

It all sounds quite exhausting but I go on holiday to rest and chill. City breaks for me are for long weekends only. It sounds like you go for too long and try to do too much, so it all blurs into one. What do you want from a holiday? It’s hard to make any suggestions for how to make changes without knowing what you want. Are you looking for destination ideas? Or ideas for completely different types of holidays?

MissAmbrosia · 02/10/2025 19:55

LittleBitofBread · 02/10/2025 12:50

This sounds wonderful! I've always wanted to go to the Camargue but wasn't sure how to do it/where to stay, and this sounds like a good way to see it, while also seeing towns/cities/history.

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It was fabulous. Stopping for breakfast / lunch in the middle of nowhere surrounded by flamingos and wild horses. That bit of the canal takes you close to the coast too, so you can sneak a beach or 2 in. We also stayed in Aigues Mortes for a few weeks another time and did some day trips to the salt pans, and boat trips on the canal. The Grau du Roi is also close to there to add a bit of seaside.

CoffeeCantata · 02/10/2025 20:34

soupyspoon · 02/10/2025 17:04

Ive seen a lot of threads over the years where someone will comment on a particular city, lets say Madrid or Seville or Granada or whatever (just plucking those cant think of the exampels I mean) and say 'you can do this in a couple of days, or you dont need more than 3 days to see this'

As if its some sort of marathon sprint before you get onto the next place

We spend a week in one place, sitting, eating, eating, day trips occasionally, bike rides, eating, drinking, eating, more sitting, churches, sites, buses trains, eating, drinking, you get the picture

Totally agree.

Original poster

LindorDoubleChoc · 02/10/2025 20:49

Goodness, so many replies - thanks all! I will have to set some time aside tomorrow to read through properly.

OP posts:

Crikeyalmighty · 02/10/2025 21:50

@LindorDoubleChoc I definitely think it might be more enjoyable for you to do city’s that have a more relaxing and different few days nearby if you do them at all - we did a Valletta/Gozo combo ( partly work) a few years ago and that was nice as lounged round the kempinski in Gozo in their lovely gardens and pools and terraces, had a mini moke for a day and drove to a beach and restaurant, lovely boat trip etc - and then did 4 days in valleta , plus Mdina, Rabat etc , war museum, beach, another boat trip, lovely cafes and shopping but far more bustle.

Also enjoyed a Malaga/Marbella combo -

done a few like this -

Hohumdedum · 03/10/2025 00:01

I know know what you mean. All cities have cathedrals, art museums etc which can get a bit samey.

There are loads of holidays that you could try instead. Birdwatching tour, safari, art/writing/cooking type retreat, battlefield tour, spa, skiing, diving, Disney, beach, surfing, golf, hiking, go somewhere with loads of concerts and shows to see, casinos... Or travel less frequently but longer haul to places very different from Europe.

Unfortunately with the Internet and cheap flights I do find places are losing some of their individuality.

Cinaferna · 03/10/2025 07:33

printLine · 01/10/2025 08:53

How about a walking/cycling holiday where your bags get taken to the next village B&B. You see the countryside and stay in picturesque villages/towns.

I really like the sound of this.
Can you recommend any good walking tour companies?

Cinaferna · 03/10/2025 07:43

LittleBitofBread · 02/10/2025 11:47

Next year it will probably be a villa with pool in Italy or France with one or two interesting cities in striking distance.
That sounds like a good solution for you.

I will say, though, that I usually find the best things about city and town breaks are not the major 'sights' but more everyday things like finding a tiny, quirky shop or artist-run gallery, or a busy food market, or a nice city park.
I think city breaks take a bit of energy.

I also find a good strategy is not to arrive and think you have to 'do' Paris/Madrid/wherever you are, which can be both over- and underwhelming, but to have one thing you know you want to do or see, and then anything else you come across feels like a bonus. e.g. years ago there was an exhibition about Picasso and Francis Bacon at the Picasso Museum in Paris, so DP and I went expressly to see that. It meant we avoided the feeling of 'where do we start?' that you can get in cities, and felt relaxed enough to just wander and find things (we came across a lovely neighbourhood full of bookshops, a parade of nursery-age kids and their parents with signs/costumes/balloons, some fusty little junk shops etc).

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I agree. I've been twice to NYC with DC, as teens then as young adults. The first time we 'did' New York. First time I hated it. DC and DH adore art galleries. I love art but I know what I like, and find the rest very tiring. I thought the High Line was really boring and the grid system streets made walking really dull too.
Second time we just happened to be in NYC for a few days. We pottered around bookshops and spotted rare birds and animals in Central Park, found a few favourite cafes, shops and bars. It was a much nicer experience.

luckylavender · 03/10/2025 08:16

What a very odd / ridiculous AIBU. Just go somewhere else.

JulesJules · 03/10/2025 08:31

inamo · 30/09/2025 20:49

You could do a combo. Like you I was getting fed up of being like a bird swooping in, then flying around, and swooping out again when in many cities. Although I do enjoy places with a bit of history and others with fantastic scenery.

Recently had my very first trip to a longed for city - Rome. I had some time off so decided to go for 8 days. However, I stayed in a great beachside place on the coast 30 minutes by train from Rome. Up early, took the train, did the sightseeing, and came back to base by the sea, quick shower and sat readin on the balcony sunbed in late afternoon. Out for dinner where I didn't have to book three days in advance, and the atmosphere was very relaxed, unlike Rome which was crazy - as expected.

I think I'll try that in the future and combo a city and either countryside or seaside. I am not a beach holiday person.

This is exactly what my D1 and her bf did this year - they got cheap flights to Rome, then stayed in an Airbnb in Ostia. Then combined train into Rome for the sights with chilling on the beach.

ZenNudist · 03/10/2025 08:41

I love European city breaks but I like to switch it up with beaches, spas, theme parks, hikes, bike rideas, funiculars, religious sites. I love art, history, architecture, culture and food!. This year I did:

milan 5 days including the cool qc termemilano spa, last supper tour, food tour of navigli district, duomo absolutely amazing cathedral plus foundation prada but only to see the architecture and visit bar luce for aperitivo because of its notable designer.
Barcelona 3 days, Drinking and tapas with the girls but we did visit parc guell.
7 day mix of Netherlands cities and sights (keukenhof, delft where we stayed and the boat trip there was fun, hire bikes to see the windmills at kinderdijk, dinner and a wander in dordrecht, hague to see the mc escher museum, 2 days at efteling theme park plus fitted in a bit of spa time at the bosrijk hotel. This trip was amazing)
7 days hotel relaxing in hilton malta, mainly by pool with a day trip to Gozo. Malta is great to mix relaxing with sightseeing. Valetta and Mdina are must sees from previous trips. I've not yet made the boat trip to comino and the blue lagoon and caves. One day!
10 days in Northern Spain. We stayed 5 days west of santander in a residential neighbourhood eating at home a bit, chilling on the balcony and the pool but doing day trip to the beach, labyrinth at villapresente because ds is mad for mazes, comillas to see Caprico de Gaudi but i love architecture, dinner and a wander in santillana del mar, plus 5 days in rioja staying in a resort where we had a pool and tennis courts etc for dc but also went hiking one day and food played a big part there. A vist to marques de riscal winery was top of the list as I've long wanted to see the Frank gerhy designed hotel.
5 days in Berlin still to come with my main focus being the reichstag but I also want to go to the zoo for ds(11) and East Side gallery and staying in a lovely hotel we can chill out in and snack in the exec lounge rather than eating in restaurants every night plus we have a pool and I'm minded to do a U2 related tour as a different way to see the city and pay homage to acting baby, an album I love.

I plan my holiday around a particular longed for site. I find doing booked tours less of a waste of money now. I like esoteric things that I'm planning holidays around. Ideas below:

Utrecht for the miffy museum, miffy traffic lights and Kastel van de haar

Lucky cat temple in Tokyo, Disney Sea, Hiroshima peace dome, Miyajima Island are the main things I want to see in Japan.

Lake bled, not at a busy time of year, plus a few nights in Ljubljana. Not planned this yet.

Turin for the qc spa termetorino plus Egyptian museum and food!

I'd recommend bilbao and san sebastian in one trip. I did this last year to fulfill a long held dream to see the guggenheim in bilbao.

I could go on...