Posts Tagged ‘summer’
Daria’s Top 5 Highlights in Barcelona
Barcelona had been on my travel list for years, and when the opportunity finally came, it didn’t disappoint! From world-class football to incredible food and jaw-dropping architecture, the city delivers on every level. Here are my top five highlights from an unforgettable trip.
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Karen’s Malaga Moments
Malaga is a fabulous city if you want a bit of beach, a bit of culture and plenty of good food and drink. Here’s some highlights I loved!
The botanical gardens of Malaga are about 3 miles from the city centre on the 91 special bus service from the bus station (or about €12-15 each way in a taxi). The gardens are huge, offering plenty of shade from the sun and are a tranquil oasis from the bustling city centre. The onsite cafe allows you to make a day of it.
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Stephanie’s Sweet Escape to Geneva
I was lucky to be invited to Geneva by the team at Switzerland Tourism. It was a fantastic trip and really changed my thoughts on Geneva as a city break. I always thought Geneva looked beautiful and we all know about Swiss chocolate… but I didn’t know the city would have such a relaxed vibe and such friendly people!
I arrived from Edinburgh and headed straight for the hotel to drop off bags and have lunch with the rest of the group. It couldn’t be easier getting into central Geneva, the train is 7mins and it’s 1 stop – we had the Geneva City pass so this was included in the card benefits. Once in central Geneva it was about a 10min walk to The MGallery Rotary (4*+). I really liked this hotel and the rooms were huge (they do seem to be larger all over Geneva in comparison to other cities), lovely sitting area in the reception and the breakfast was also great, lots of continental options and cooked options made to order too. The pancakes are especially good!
Lunch was out on the terrace at L’Artisan and we could have happily stayed there all afternoon! It was a pretty terrace in the shade with delicious food and tasty cocktails. Alas, we had a Wine and Heritage tour to get to so we dragged ourselves away to meet our guide.
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Destination Copenhagen: with Steph and Diane
Day 1: Arrival & First Impressions
We arrived in Copenhagen and were pleasantly surprised by how easy it was to get into the city by train or metro. The station is under Terminal 3 and tickets are available from the machines. The journey from the airport took around 15 minutes. From our stop it was a 10-minute walk to the Hotel Kong Arthur where we were staying. The hotel is located over 5 buildings but has a real boutique feel to it. There are great indoor and outdoor seating areas, and we really enjoyed the “cosy hour” every night between 5-6 where you can have a free drink and chill out before heading out for dinner.
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Exploring Luxembourg: Irene’s Guide to the Hidden Heart of Europe
I was very lucky to be invited on a fam trip to Luxembourg by Visit Luxembourg. Luxembourg is not the first city you think of for a short break so I was interested to see what there was to do there.
On arrival at Luxembourg airport I took the tram into Luxembourg City Centre. It’s very straightforward with one line in and one line out and the best part is that all public transport is free in Luxembourg (apart from first class rail), no need to get a ticket, just jump on. It took about 30 minutes to the nearest stop for my hotel and although it was late and dark I never felt unsafe on my own.
Stephanie’s Top Tips for Multi-Centre Adventures
Our Senior Short Break Specialist, Stephanie went on an incredible holiday that’s left us all envious! She came back with so many tips that we’ve decided to compile them all for you. Read on for some amazing hints and tips when visiting Berlin, Prague, Vienna, Salzburg & Munich!
Berlin
Berlin’s a very large city, so I’d recommend getting the Berlin card. This gives you free transport and discounts on museums. If you’re not here for long, the hop on hop off bus is a great idea and it’s easy to knock off all the big sights in one day. If you’re staying longer, it really helps to get your bearings. You can stay on the bus for the full 2 hour tour or as the name suggests hop off and on. We would get off at one stop, see what we wanted and then instead of waiting for the next bus (only 20mins) make our way to the next stop and hop back on, so we saw not only the big ticket places but plenty of charming places in between. We used the Big Red bus tour and their App was very helpful, you can see exactly where all the buses are and the directions between stops is really clear.
Karen’s Greek Getaway in Athens!
Many more years ago than I care to disclose, I studied Ancient Greece at university but I’d never actually put boots on the ground. Beyond the Acropolis I had little idea of what to expect from modern Athens, so my recent short break there was a real revelation. I think most people’s mental picture of Greece is going to be whitewashed island villages, sandy beaches and crumbling ancient monuments, so it might not be the first place on your list for a city break, but Athens is a fantastic place to explore:
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Beyond The Classics: 5 Alternative Destinations to Visit in 2025
In Europe, you’ll find plenty of iconic cities, from the romantic canals of Venice to the impressive monuments of Paris. But why not visit somewhere a little different for your next holiday? If you’re looking for a unique experience this year, we’ve got you covered. Here’s a list of 5 alternative destinations to get you started…
1. Ljubljana, Slovenia
Ljubljana is Slovenia’s capital, nestled between Austria, Italy, and Croatia. Unlike its more well-known European counterparts, this city offers a very laid-back atmosphere, with interesting medieval architecture and an eco-friendly environment that locals take pride in. Ljubljana is compact in size, so it’s very easy to navigate and the welcoming locals are sure to make you feel right at home. Stroll along the Ljubljanica River and take in the fresh Alpine air, or visit Ljubljana Castle which offers stunning panoramic views. Relax and enjoy the superb café culture where you’ll find several quirky spots along the riverside.
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FREE Lisbon Walking Tour with Every Lisbon Booking
Our Short Break Specialist Nicki had a fantastic time on her FAM trip to Lisbon. To read more about her visit, head to our blog and find out what she got up to! In celebration of this amazing city, we are offering a FREE Best of Lisbon Guided Walking Tour for every booking made in August and September.
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Two In One: Shona Explores Paris & Val d’Isere
I was lucky enough to attend a fabulous FAM trip hosted by Experimental Group. Experimental are currently in the midst of an exciting new project building the new Experimental Chalet Val d’Isere, which is due to open at the end of the year. For all ski related enquiries, our sister company, Ski Independence are on hand to help create the perfect ski holiday for your clients.
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