Best weekend break ideas

Want to escape from it all but not got much annual leave to take? Or maybe you’re short on time or have a smaller budget so can’t be away for too long – if so, time you mastered the mini break! Your idea of the best weekend break may be jumping on a plane to a European city, but where? Read on to find out why booking a weekend break could be your best holiday decision yet – here’s plenty of inspirational ideas to get you started.

Take a Mini Cruise

Cruises are not just for the long haul. A short voyage can be anywhere from one to five nights long –and you can pack in so many experiences without the hassle of getting up early to get to the airport in time, transfers and lugging lots of suitcases with you. Mini cruise ships are also smaller, meaning you’ll get a more exclusive experience. You’ll have multiple stops on your itinerary, giving you the means to explore at least a handful of cities that are only a couple of hours away. Why not explore France, Belgium, Spain, Germany and The Netherlands on your next getaway? Read this article for more information on why you should take a mini cruise.

Try a Staycation

Wherever you’re based, if you want an English weekend break that is easy to get to, fits in with your budget and doesn’t require hours of travelling, this may be the option you need. Take a narrow boat mini-holiday in Shropshire, go glamping in a shepherd’s hut on National Trust land in the seaside village of Kewstoke, Somerset; go off-roading on Salisbury Plain or unleash your inner adventurer with a weekend break of kayaking or scuba diving in Plymouth. There’s an abundance of day visits, too – including foodie tours, English gardens and theme parks.

Head towards the Arctic Circle

Defined by dramatic landscapes, breathtaking waterfalls and a buzzing capital city, Iceland is just a three-hour flight away and perfect for a more outdoorsy weekend-break idea, with volcanoes, geysers, hot springs and lava fields waiting to be explored. Massive glaciers are protected in Vatnajökull and Snæfellsjökull national parks, and creatives will feel right at home with music, literature and art in the many museums and galleries around the country. Most of the population lives in the capital, Reykjavik, which runs on geothermal power. If you’re a foodie, you’ll enjoy many of the city’s street eats such as hot dogs, Icelandic lamb and pickled fish.

Have a Romantic City Break

Hop on a train or plane and take in the sights on a weekend city break. In just two and a half hours you and your partner can be whisked from London by train and plunged right into the buzzing centre of Paris. Take in the galleries, boutiques and shops down the Avenue des Champs-Élysées before marvelling at the epic views from the top of the Eiffel Tower. Paris is also a food and wine lover’s dream, with some of the best restaurants in Europe, from classic Gallic bistros to high-end Michelin-starred restaurants.

Choose the Emerald Isle

Just a short hop across the Irish Sea makes the Republic of Ireland the perfect getaway for a few days, with a flight time of just over an hour. Take a day trip to the scenic Wicklow Mountains National Park, be inspired by world-class art at the National Gallery, or attend a tour of the Guinness Storehouse or The Old Jameson Distillery. As for shopping, Dublin is the place to go, whether you fancy a bargain hunt at the Jervis Shopping Centre or the high-end boutiques of Grafton Street. After a long day, the Temple Bar area is home to 24 bars where you can treat yourself to a pint or two!

Now you’ve had plenty of inspiration to get your creative juices flowing, all that’s left to do is pack your bags and book your next mini break! It is possible to see more of the world either on a tight budget or within a small amount of time – it’s about knowing where to go and what to do to experience the best weekend break that’s right for you.

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