Smart city breaks

Marvellous mini-breaks can be good for your health. Just plan ahead and pack light

Psychologists at Duke University, North Carolina, have come up with an intriguing theory – people who take short breaks have more happy memories of their time away than those who go on one long holiday. Why? Well, apparently, the enjoyment of experiences diminishes the longer we’re away. Excuse, if any were needed, to plan that mini-break right away.
Just 30 years ago, jetting off on holiday to a foreign city for a few days was almost unheard of. But bigger salaries and the boom in budget airlines have fuelled what has become the travel trend of the past decade. But how do you get plenty of enjoyment from just a few days? It’s all in the planning.
Even ‘go with the flow’ types need a few restaurant or attraction options up their sleeves. Try websites like tripadvisor.co.uk for local favourites and hidden secrets that only residents and regulars know about.
And remember: it’s a holiday, not an endurance test. If you don’t see everything, just go back! Whatever you want to get from your weekend break, there’s a city out there that’s a perfect match…

For culture and style: Amsterdam
With a villagey atmosphere and world-class attractions, Amsterdam is the best of both worlds, plus it’s easy to get your bearings. The cavernous Rijksmuseum is still closed for refurbishment, but the best of the collection is on show in its renovated Philips Wing. A visit to the Van Gogh Museum should be on everyone’s list, too. Print doesn’t do justice to the thick textures and vivid colours of much of Van Gogh’s work and seeing the troubled genius’s pictures in the flesh is a revelation. For affordable art, stroll beside the canals of the leafy Jordaan district – three streets, Bloemgracht, Bloemstraat and Eerste Bloemdwarsstraat, are at the heart of Amsterdam’s gallery scene. Finally, if you want to shop, head to the Nine Streets district for a veritable bounty of designer boutiques, cool bars and restaurants. For ultra-luxe accommodation, the newly opened Conservatorium Hotel [link to: conservatoriumhotel.com] is in an awe-inspiring neo-Gothic building while the modernist Citizen M Hotel offers funky style on a budget.
KLM [link to: klm.com] flies from Bristol, Liverpool and London Heathrow.

For fine romance: Vienna
In The Diary of Bridget Jones, the lovelorn Bridget longs to be taken away on a romantic mini-break. Without a doubt, Bridget would have approved of Vienna. Cobbled streets and stunning baroque architecture make this a top spot for couples in love. Get your bearings by having a tour of the city in one of the fiakers (horse-drawn carriages) that gather around Vienna’s gothic St Stephen’s Cathedral. This is the city where you’ll find one of the most beautiful expressions of love, Gustav Klimt’s The Kiss, which shimmers in shades of gold and bronze in the gallery of the Belvedere Palace. Later, explore the vast Hofburg Palace where the Empress Elisabeth lived. Affectionately known by Austrians as Sisi, she was the ultimate romantic heroine – a beautiful woman who tried to do good within the confines of the royal family but whose life was cut tragically short. A kind of 19th-century Princess Diana, if you like. As a total contrast to the history around you, why not book in at the sleek Sofitel? Even if you don’t stay here, a drink in the hotel’s Le Loft bar with its 360º views of Vienna is a must.
BA flies from Manchester and London Heathrow.

For family fun: Barcelona
Spain is wonderfully family-friendly and nowhere is this more true than Barcelona. The city has a huge range of hotels – from the gorgeous Hotel Arts on the city’s beach to the modern, good-value Hotel Vincci Maritimo – and Antoni Gaudí’s breathtaking, colourful buildings pepper the city like visions from a dream. Kids are equally entranced by the Catalan architect’s creations. Gaudí’s Sagrada Familia is a must-see: the towers of this ornate fairytale cathedral shimmer like a mirage in the afternoon sun. His Park Güell (a 20-minute walk from Lesseps Metro station) is worth a visit, too. Its twisting paths, grottos and secret corners will stimulate kids’ imaginations as much as any Harry Potter story. Then, just 90 minutes down the coast, is PortAventura, an amusement park in the Disneyland mould. It’s open throughout October and on weekends (from 10am till 8pm) during November and December.
easyJet flies from Newcastle, London and Liverpool.

For winter sun: Catania
Everyone’s heard of Palermo, Sicily’s capital, but the island’s ancient second city, Catania, is still relatively unknown here. It shouldn’t be. It’s well worth a visit, and because Sicily is just 100 miles from Africa, autumn temperatures hover around 25ºC during the day and 15ºC at night. Stay at the charmingly old-fashioned Liberty Hotel, five minutes’ walk from the centre. The town has several interesting sights – including two Roman amphitheatres and a 13th-century castle – but if you want sandy views, the chic beach resort of Taormina is a picturesque 40 minutes away by train. It has stunning views across the Bay of Naxos and cable-car links to the beaches.
BA flies from London Gatwick; easyJet flies from London Gatwick.

For amazing food: Lyon
Easy to reach by Eurostar and the connecting TGV train, Lyon is the city in France that rivals Paris for its culinary reputation. With Roman ruins and a compact 15th-century centre, it’s the perfect place to dine out in style. The hotel Le Royal in the centre of town makes an elegant base, and Lyon’s 15 Michelin-starred restaurants – L’Auberge du Pont de Collonges has three – mean bon viveurs won’t be disappointed. Here, you’ll dine on such delicacies as turbot with champagne sauce, but don’t expect much change from €200 per person. At the other end of the scale are the city’s bistros, known as bouchons. Originally inns visited by Lyon’s traditional silk-weavers, they offer food that is hearty and wholesome. One of the best is Café des Fédérations at 8-10 rue Major Martin.
Travel by Eurostar from London St Pancras International.

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