Holiday allowances. The bane of every salaried worker’s existence, right? Nobody likes restrictions, especially when it means less sun, culture, and sea. But instead of sulking that we have to save our days for Christmas/ weddings/ more weddings/ hen dos, why not embrace all the baby holidays we do get (a.k.a. the weekends!)? Why spend Friday night at a bar in Bank when you could spend it at one in balmy Barcelona instead? Yes, the best thing about the UK is that many of Europe’s best cities are less than a two hour’s flight away. It’s time to start living for the weekend — on the continent that is.
Lisbon
Where to sleep?
Palacio Ramalhete is a real gem, in walking distance of many of the city’s sights, cafes, and restaurants. It’s an 18th-century former palace with 12 airy rooms and a tucked away rooftop pool. Both the rooms and communal spaces are faultlessly elegant, with patterned tiles, original wooden floors, high ceilings, and fresh flowers.
From £110/night
What to eat?
Bacalhau, that’s salted cod to you or I, and known to be the Portuguese national dish. Pretty much every restaurant in Lisbon serves a version of it so you won’t struggle to track it down. For a casual lunch or dinner, Time Out Market Lisboa is an indoor food market that serves
And drink?
€2 glasses of local plonk.
Don’t miss:
A ride on a tram! They’re not only the easiest, fastest way to get around but they’re a novelty too with their oldy-worldy charm. Take a ride to Belém to see Jeronimos Monastery and Belém Tower.
Bring home:
Pasteis de nata from Pasteis de Belem — no-one who’s been to Lisbon will forgive you if you don’t bring them back at least a box of these delectable custard tarts.
Amsterdam
Where to sleep?
The Hoxton, Amsterdam is a great base, well located in the Herengracht neighbourhood, and in walking distance from pretty much everything. The 111 guestrooms vary in size (and price) from shoebox to roomy, the beds are uber comfortable, and the decor will get you Instagramming. Come breakfast time, there’s avocado on toast in the restaurant, Lotti’s.
From £68/night
And eat?
There’s no shortage of great places to eat in the Dam. For a leisurely lunch, head to Foodhallen, a great covered food market with gourmet street food stalls, craft beers and a fancy gin and tonic bar.
And drink?
Cocktails at Tales and Spirits (go early evening to avoid a queue!)
Don’t miss:
Sack off the Anne Frank museum (it’s not worth the four hour queue) and instead head to the Van Gogh museum (which you can book tickets for in advance). It’s a good, manageable size and you’re bound to recognise at least a dozen of the paintings.
Bring home:
Stroopwafels. Yes, they sell them in Starbucks but they’re way more authentic when they come from the Dam and they’ll improve tea breaks no end back at the office.
Budapest
Where to sleep?
Brody House, one of Europe’s coolest boutique hotels, which puts the shabby into shabby chic and Budapest on the map of the world's most stylish stays. All of the 11 rooms are different, some with kitchenettes and lounges, others with freestanding bathtubs, and all with original parquet floors.
From £54/night
What to eat?
Hungarian food doesn’t have the best rep, but that’s not to say it’s not tasty. Expect a lot of goulash and hearty meat dishes. Pretty much all three-course dinners start with soup, followed by a meat and pasta or potato dish, and finished with a cake or pastry. Snack on kürtőskalác, delicious cinnamon and sugar-coated chimney cake that you can get from street stalls and markets.
And drink?
Budapest is one of the cheapest cities for alcohol in Europe and the ruin pubs (kert bars) are the coolest places to hangout. Szimpla Kert is a popular day and night spot with its indoor and outdoor spaces, and bizarre, eclectic decor.
Don’t forget:
Your swimmers! Because the thermals baths are a must-do in Budapest (especially if it’s a bit nippy when you visit). Széchenyi is the biggest and though touristy, a good time. Enjoy relaxing, people watching and roaming between the saunas, steam rooms, 15 indoor and three outdoor pools.
Bring home:
Unless you’re into lace or porcelain, save your pennies on souvenirs.
Hamburg
Where to sleep?
25Hours Hamburg is a trendy, modern hotel in Hafencity, a newly regenerated area of the city near the water. Maritime-themed rooms are clean and comfy and it’s well located for exploring the city.
From £75/night
What to eat?
Wurst of course! No one does a sausage sarnie quite like Germany. But for a romantic dinner, try Eisenstein, a great pizza restaurant with lofty ceilings, exposed bricks, and total date-night vibes.
And drink?
Happy hour cocktails at Aurel. €4 caipirinhas are never a bad idea — as think most of the locals! Otherwise, Jever, the local beer.
Don’t miss:
The view from the top of Docklands, a glass parallelogram, which stands defiant against the rest of the city and offers some impressive views from the top. Just take the stairs to the top — it’s free!
Take note:
A lot of Hamburg shuts down on a Sunday so make sure you get all your sights and shopping in on Saturday, then hire a bike and spend Sunday roaming around the city on wheels.
Stockholm
Where to sleep?
As you can imagine, slick, Scandi-esque design hotels aren’t in short supply in Stockholm. Try Miss Clara, an artsy minimalist hotel with a great central location and stripped back rooms that have all of the essentials.
From £133/night
At the more luxe end of the spectrum, there’s Ett Hem, which is flawlessly decorated and complete with a library and spa.
From £323/ night
What to eat?
The Swedish delicacy that is fried herring and mash. The best place to get it is Nystekt Strömming: an unassuming food truck on Slussen Square. For something a little fancier, try Bakfickan in Norrmalm whch serves up fine Swedish classics, such as meatballs and gravy.
And drink?
If you’re thinking of taking a wee break from alcohol, Stockholm is the place to do it, ‘cos booze is PRICEY. Try Mikkeller’s Drink’in the Sun, a Scandi alcohol-free beer. Otherwise, stick to the coffee, which the Swedes take very seriously. Fika is Swedish for “coffee break”, and that means actually taking a break, a sit down, and a cinnamon bun with your espresso.
Don’t miss:
Södermalm, Stockholm’s coolest neighbourhood with independent galleries, great boutiques and cool cafes and bars. Grandpa is a great men’s, women’s and homewares boutique that will have you digging deep in your pockets. In the summer, there are plenty of glorious green spaces to kick back in and soak up the sun.
And course, if you’re an ABBA fan, there’s the not-to-be missed ABBA Museum.
Bring home:
A brand new Acne wardrobe and Pinterest-worthy homewares.
Seville
Where to sleep?
Seville does a fine job at hiding rooftop pools into modern, boutiquey hotels. Hospes Las Casas Del Rey is a great option, that ticks the pool box and has beautiful airy suites with majestic Sevillian flair.
From £126/night
And eat?
Tapas is the name of the game in Seville. Head to La Brunilda and order wildly — the grilled octopus is a winner. Share plates and savour with wine. Life is leisurely in Seville.
And drink?
The best thing about Seville is that the sun shines a lot. Join the locals at the bars and Calles Mateos Gago is the perfect spot to soak it all up. In the mornings, enjoy an al-fresco espresso at one of the many Spanish cafes, then join the locals at the bars drinking Cruzcampo all afternoon long. Sherry goes nicely with all that tapas.
Don’t miss:
The view from the top of Giralda Tower, where you can see the terracotta roof tiles stretch out for miles. Beautiful.
Bring home:
Castanets that you’ve picked up from the Flamenco museum after watching a show.
Krakow
Where to sleep?
Hotels in Krakow are pretty cheap and cheerful, though prices tend to skyrocket in the summer so book in advance! Metropolitan Boutique Hotel is a good shout, with a good location and sleek, simple furnishings. For something a little more va-va-voom looking, try Topolowa Residence, which is set in an Art Nouveau building a stone’s throw from the Botanical Gardens.
From £70/night
And eat?
Pierogi. Lots of ‘em. Polish dumplings aren’t great for the diet but are good for the tastebuds and everything else — including soaking up all those cheap pints! Get your fix at U Pani Stasi, a family-run restaurant that’s been feeding the masses for over 80 years, or U Babci Maliny in the Old Town.
And drink?
Tyskie! Polish beer and it’s dirt cheap over there.
Don’t miss:
The inside of St. Mary's Basilica, Kraków – a 14th century church which will blow your mind with its dramatic beauty. One for that Instagram feed.
Bring home:
Żubrówka vodka. Cheap, cheap, cheap.
Bilbao
Where to sleep?
For somewhere nice and central to get your forty winks, Barceló Bilbao Nervión is a good option; it’s a 4-star chain hotel with clean, comfy, basic rooms, slap bang between the old town and the Guggenheim. For something a little more boutiquey, check into Hotel Miro which is directly opposite the Gugg and the whole vibe is a little chicer.
From £72/night
And eat?
In Casco Viejo (the Old Town) there’s plentiful pinxtos bars (pinxtos being communal food, often served on sticks). Mandoya is a lively spot that’s been serving traditional Basque dishes to locals and visitors alike for over 50 years. Restaurant Agape is another great option for fresh, seasonal dishes. Then for a trendier, younger crowd try Irrintzi — a sociable little spot to share pinxtos in the Old Town.
And drink?
A wander round the seven streets of Siete Calles will offer plentiful pitstop options and buzzy watering holes. The locals swear by Kalimotxo, which is a mix of Coca-Cola and red wine.
Don’t miss:
The Guggenheim. Great for art know-it-alls and novices alike, it’s the most popular tourist spot in the city and quite rightly so. The collection is impressive and the building is mega. It’s impressive at night with the city lights bouncing off it.
Remember:
Sunday is market day and there’s a great one not to be missed in the Plaza Nueva in the Old Town. Here you can pick up all sorts of crafts and local artisan souvenirs.
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