Top 5 European city breaks
Discovering the perfect European city break can be like finding a needle in a haystack. With so many incredible cities, with centuries of history, there are countless fantastic destinations on the continent. What’s in no doubt is that Europe offers some of the most memorable destination on the planet, so to help you reach the absolute pinnacle, here are some of our favourites, all of which you can book with co operative travel.
1. Paris
If it’s romance that you’re looking for, then a trip to Paris is an absolute must. Whether it’s a moonlit walk along the bank of the Seine or sharing the spectacular view from the Eiffel Tower with your loved one, the city of love is a city break that has romance and so much more to offer. Enjoy some of the finest cuisine in the world from one of the city’s many famed Michelin-starred restaurants or visit the Mona Lisa at the world-renowned Louvre: one of the largest and most visited museums in the world.
2. Rome
Abundant in history and home to some of the world’s most beautiful architecture, Rome encapsulates the Italian saying: ‘bel far niente’ which means the art of doing nothing. This is simply because everything you need is right in front of you: architectural heirlooms, the pasta, the piazzas and the people.
Visiting Rome is akin to going to a city that encourages you to take things easy. It’s a city where the aesthetic fuses with incredible urban scenery to make it a city where you feel cool just strolling through the streets. Don’t feel like going to a museum? What’s the need when it’s all outside on the streets? Rome is an immensely popular city so finding cheap holidays with reputable holiday providers such as the co-operative is relatively easy.
3. Florence
A city break to Florence means finding the most beautiful Renaissance sculptures lining the streets of the Centro Storico while admiring the various examples of gothic architecture. You can make a stop at the Piazza della Repubblica, where Caesar first founded the city or soak in the endless visual feast of the many classical fountains and piazzas.
4. Reykjavik
Populated by a meagre 200,000, Reykjavik may be Europe’s smallest capital, but it certainly isn’t boring. Stretching back to the age of the Vikings, the city has a creative streak that is apparent as soon as you land at the architecturally intriguing airport. There is clean air, no ugly skyscrapers and you can get anywhere by foot. The people – friendly and fluent in English – take their coffee, art, museums, music and mischief very seriously, making this a perfect location for well cultured travellers.
5. Barcelona
Barcelona combines everything that is most appealing about the Mediterranean – a relaxed pace, months of endless sunshine, unbeatable food and with the cultural and design clout of most any city in the cold north.