Where to travel in Europe if you dont have many days off.
For all those times when you want to hop on a plane and get far away, but reality doesn’t let you make big plans. Still, you’ll find the way and go, even if it’s just for a long weekend. Below you’ll find a few suggestions for affordable, nearby (up to three hours by plane) and stunning destinations in Europe. A few days are enough for an unforgettable trip.
Bologna
Bologna is one of the best decisions you can make in your life. A picturesque, beautiful university town that has everything to offer, even if you only have a few days to spare. Life moves at an unhurried pace in this small, historic city in northern Italy. There’s no answer here to the question “what city does it resemble”. Bologna, or the “Red” city (La Rossa), has its own identity. Fantastic food, sights to discover and grand porticoes to get lost in. A trip you’ll remember forever.
Naples
We move to the capital and main port of Italy’s south, distinctive Naples, the birthplace of pizza and Vesuvius. A city with soul, unique aromas and flavors, that you can discover in just a few days. It may not have the sheen or elegance of other Italian cities, but it has a distinctive and authentic allure that reveals itself the more you walk it. Savor the unique and authentic pizza Napoletana, stroll through its historic center and visit its castles. Leave a little time to take the funicular to the highest point of the city, Castel Sant’Elmo. There you’ll take photos so you never forget this thrilling long weekend.
Budapest
A few days in a city you’ll remember for many, many years. It’s no coincidence that captivating Budapest has won the preference of millions of travelers who visit and leave filled with experiences and beautiful images of it. Even if the visit lasts only a few days. Known among other things as a budget-friendly destination, Budapest deserves a place on your plan. Endless strolls in the city’s picturesque center, by the mighty Danube and at beautiful Buda Castle, where you’ll enjoy the most incredible view. The city’s thermal baths are among Budapest’s attractions.
Vienna
Three days in Vienna are enough to see the main sights and get a good taste of Austria’s capital. Enchanting in every season, Vienna hides the secret of its timeless charm in magnificent Baroque palaces, great museums and historic cafés. Among the city’s top attractions are the imposing Baroque Belvedere Palace and Schönbrunn Palace, so be sure to set aside a few hours in your schedule to see them. Don’t forget to try Vienna’s popular dishes, such as schnitzel, tafelspitz (boiled beef served in a flavorful broth) and goulash (a hearty stew or soup made with meat, onions, paprika and other spices, served with potatoes or noodles).
Ljubljana
Ljubljana in Slovenia is a city you don’t hear much about, yet it is one of the most beautiful Balkan capitals and is just 2 hours away by plane from Athens. Many even call it the “Switzerland of the Balkans”. Ljubljana is a modern, lush-green city (named “European Green Capital” for 2016) with a history of hundreds of thousands of years. Wander the well-preserved Old Town with its cobbled lanes, visit the Cathedral, enjoy walks in Tivoli Park and along the Ljubljanica River and the Triple Bridge. The most famous and most photographed is the Dragon Bridge. Three days are enough but the only problem is that you’ll want to stay longer.
Milan
Italy could not fail to take center stage in this article, since not only is it close, but it’s also beautiful. Unexpectedly exciting Milan is my third and final suggestion for a three-day trip to the neighboring country. And I say unexpectedly, as Milan is far more than the classic photo with the Cathedral (Duomo) you’ll see anyone post when they visit the jewel of Italy’s north. The heart of the city beats in Piazza del Duomo but its soul stretches across Milan’s canals, the small and charming Piazza dei Mercanti and the vast arcade Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II. Three days in Milan full of strolls, sights, good food and new experiences you’ll remember.
Istanbul
However many days you devote to Istanbul will never be enough, yet if you want a true escape from everyday life, you’ll really find it in this city, a jewel of the East. It’s no coincidence, after all, that for most people Istanbul is described as a “trip of a lifetime”. Still, you can comfortably see the city’s most important sights in three days. Visit Hagia Sophia and Topkapi, stroll through the Grand Bazaar, visit Galata Tower, with its unique amphitheatrical view that takes your breath away and reaches as far as Hagia Sophia and the Bosphorus. Of course let’s not forget Taksim Square, the “heart” of the modern city, for walks, food and shopping.
Krakow
Krakow is perhaps the most beautiful city in Poland. It was the country’s capital until the 16th century and, unlike Warsaw, which was razed during World War II, it suffered minimal destruction. Be sure to note these places: A walk in the Main Market Square, one of Europe’s largest medieval squares, in the charming Old Town Stare Miasto and at Wawel Castle. A jewel of a city that transports you back in time, even if the trip lasts only 3 days. A trip to Krakow isn’t considered complete without a visit to the Auschwitz concentration camp, located about 60 km west of the city.
Amsterdam
For many, Amsterdam is a trip you have to make at least once in your life. A thrilling city with distinctive architecture, great museums, lush parks, markets and vibrant nightlife, Amsterdam isn’t one of the top European destinations by chance. A long weekend is enough to fill up on experiences you’ll remember for a very very long time. The main sights are very close to one another, that’s why this city, is best experienced on foot or - for those who prefer - by bike!
Valletta
Valletta, the capital of Malta is truly made for a long weekend. Hop on a plane and in less than 2 hours, you’re there. It’s a city made for walking and it reveals itself little by little. Small in size but vast in history, it’s an open-air museum of a city, with Baroque architecture, walls, palaces and churches, letting you see everything on foot.
Source: Reader.gr
