European Weekend Breaks

Why not beat the January blues and plan a short trip to look forward to? To help you choose the perfect destination, we have compiled a list of some of our favourite European cities for weekend breaks and how to make the most of your time there.

Barcelona

Spring is a great time of year to visit Barcelona. The city is not swarmed with tourists and the weather is pleasant enough to enjoy some sunshine and mild temperatures. Barcelona has a huge variety of impressive landmarks; one of the best ways to make sure you get to see all of them is an open-top bus tour. The tour will take you to places such as Sagrada Familia, Park Güell and the Gothic Quarter of the City. Finish your day by sitting back and people-watching in one of the many restaurants and bars that line Las Ramblas; the perfect way to relax after a day of sight-seeing.

Edinburgh

Edinburgh, Scotland’s scenic capital makes a great weekend break. Flights from Dublin to Edinburgh depart multiple times each day and are usually great value. Edinburgh Castle is a must-see; get a guided tour, visit the crown jewels of Scotland exhibit and take in the panoramic views of the city. Wrap up warm for your trip as temperatures in this northern city tend to stay low for the first few months of the year.

Florence

Florence is the perfect destination for a trip filled with impressive food, art and architecture. Visit the city’s lively markets such as San Lorenzo Outdoor Market and Sant’Ambrogio Food Market to experience authentic Italian food and Florence’s famous leather goods. Make sure to book timed entrance tickets for museums such as Uffizi Gallery and Galleria dell’Accademia to avoid the long queues.

Budapest

From sightseeing, to relaxation, Budapest has something for everyone. A cruise on the Danube is a great way to see some of Budapest’s most famous attractions; such as the Hungarian Parliament, Buda Castle and Gellert Monument. The Hop-On Hop-Off boat tour is a great option; allowing you to stop off at any landmarks that interest you, and then hop back on when you’re ready for your next destination. Make a trip to the Szechenyi Baths and enjoy the 15 indoor and three outdoor baths with medicinal hot spring water. The baths were recently renovated and are the perfect place to relax on your trip.

Berlin

Taking a walking tour of Berlin is one of the easiest ways to explore this exciting city. Your tour guide will bring you to famous landmarks such as the Brandenburg Gates, Checkpoint Charlie and the Berlin Wall; explaining the history behind them as you go. You’ll also pick up great tips for places to eat, drink and shop. Remember to wrap up warm if you decide to do one of these tours! Berlin does not fall short of options for places to shop; visit Kurfürstendamm, Tauentzienstraße and Bikini Berlin for a mixture of high-end, high-street and pop-up shops.

Before you go, don’t forget to take out travel insurance. You can protect your trip in a matter of minutes by purchasing a policy online. Enjoy your travels and rest assured that we’ll have you covered.