Where would you go for a relaxing short break in Europe?

[freyalaurent]

I’m looking at doing a short break later this year, probably 3–4 nights, and don’t really want the usual rushed city break where you spend the whole time sightseeing.
Would love somewhere pretty and peaceful, with nice scenery, good food and somewhere pleasant to wander around. France, Italy or Spain are all possibilities but I’m open to other ideas too.
Where have you been that worked really well for a short, relaxing break?

Ghent. Don't rent a car.

Sorrento
Menton
Seville

Tbh we found Malaga pretty relaxing for that kind of break.

one of DC’s just back from short break in Malta.

The first time I went to Barcelona I felt pressured to see all the sights and it was a bust trip. And the subsequent times I have been there I have just been to the beach and hung out and really relaxed. So maybe somewhere you have actually been before.

Another vote for Ghent. Charming and easy going, lovely to sit and eat/drink/relax by the riverbank and watch the world go by. Lovely architecture when strolling around.

Bordeaux? Not as much to do as some other cities; great food and wine.

Vienna? we had a great autumn visit. We stayed in Vienna for a four days, focused mainly on the Lipizzaner horses and tossed in a museum or two but spent plenty of time eating wiener schnitzel and mooching round the flat. Lots of public transport so no need for a car. We then took the train to Salzburg for 2 days and the return train went straight to the Vienna airport.

Salzburg? has stunning autumn scenery and not too much touristy stuff: Mozart's two houses, Sound of Music main plaza, Hohensalzburg, plenty of restaurants. Small enough that no public transport was needed. Nearby airport.

Split

Ghent sounds like a really good shout actually. I quite like the sound of just wandering around, finding somewhere nice to eat or have a drink and taking it easy rather than trying to see everything. I’d never really thought about Ghent before, so I’m going to have a look at it. Thanks for the suggestion!

Funchal in Madeira. Ticks all your boxes

A relative has just been to Bergerac in France (my 70s self assumed it was in Jersey, but no) and seems to have had a lovely time.

Lille. Throw in a short train trip to Ghent but I preferred Lille.

Dubrovnik but stay outside the main city somewhere like Zaton which is beautiful and very peaceful but a short uber or bus ride to the city centre.

Ghent is my first thought as well 🙂

We are going to Valencia for a few days but staying in a hotel with a roof top pool so we can combine some sight seeing with relaxation and avoid the usual exhaustion of a city break. Las Palmas on Gran Canaria is good for a break too as you have the city and miles of beach/ promenade.

We enjoyed Ghent. You can easily get a train to Bruges for a day too if you feel like doing more. We camped - the campsite is lovely and has rental accomodation too. It's next to a big lake if you fancy some green space, and is easily cycleable (15 mins?) into the city centre.

Joining the 'What's wrong with Belgium' crowd, (Ghent's great) consider Knokke-Heist. Belgium. It's accessible via the Kusttram, which runs all down the (short) Belgian coast to the border with France. Day tx 7 euros when I last visited. Ostend is a good stop.

Knokke-Heist itself is fabulously foodie, on the beautiful sandy Belgian coast, and surrounded by nature reserves like Zwin Nature Park.

Malta. Valletta is beautiful.

Me and DH went to Austria for the weekend. Flew to Innsbruck, got the train to Seefeld (30mins) stayed in a lovely spa hotel, did a bit of skiing and had a spa treatment in the afternoon. Very chilled, and much more relaxing then a city break.

Sorry to be boring but I loved Ghent too.

I really enjoyed Palma for a long weekend. Especially if you are into art, culture and fine dining.

Depends where you’re travelling from? This makes a big difference for a short break. I’d look for somewhere which is no more than a three hour flight or if you’re in the south use Eurostar and trains. I like Palma or Malaga for short breaks. I think the key is an attractive place without major ‘big ticket’ sights so you don’t feel that sightseeing pressure! I’d start with doing and ‘everywhere’ search on sky scanner for flights from local airports. Then add in hotels. Let us know what you decide!

Seville

Somewhere with an easy flight, not too far, doesn't require you to get up at silly o clock. Easy and quick transfer at the other end.

Then stay somewhere where you can walk to local attractions or perhaps the odd trip on good public transport so you don't have to worry about missing the bus that's only a couple of times a day.

Also consider what weather you're hoping for.

There's loads of places that would tick those boxes, Brussels is on my potential list and now I've seen so many recommendations for Ghent, have added there too. If you're close to London, I think you can get there easily by train.

Get the above right and everything else can fall into place. As well as Googling for any must sees that need booking in advance, you can also visit the tourist information centre on your first wander around your destination to see what there is to see.

I loved Porto. Small city vibe, can get to the sea easily, can take a trip to Aveiro by train. Watch the sunset by the bridge.. explore the amazing tiled buildings..

Annecy. Heaving in the summer but quiet in the winter. You would fly into Geneva so could do a bit of time in each.