The Ultimate Guide to Planning a Memorable City Break

Want to get away? Us too. Life can be a stressful time even at the best of times, and you certainly don’t need telling that. From ever-increasing workloads to ever-increasing household costs, we’re getting squeezed from every angle – and we’re a nation of stress-heads as a result.

It is no wonder, then, that we’re already daydreaming about our next big getaways. Even as holidays get more expensive, there’s no substitute for a big, long breather somewhere warm and sunny. Or is there? If you can’t quite square the two-week break you deserve, why not take two days instead, and make your next long weekend a city break like no other? Even short city breaks can be the memory-making circuit-break you need; here’s how to plan one.

1. Choosing the Right Destination

First things first, you need to pick where you’re going. Choosing the perfect city for your city break is a highly subjective thing, but one rooted in a different sub-set of criteria than other types of holidays. This time, you’re thinking about everything from cultural appeal to your ideal weather conditions – and, of course, price. 

A New York city break would afford you a maximalist weekend of street-level experiences and uniquely Big-Apple moments, while a weekend in Madrid would give you an entirely different cultural experience with more historical roots. Ultimately, what kind of culture do you want to lose yourself to for a weekend?

2. Finding Luxurious Accommodations

Having picked your ideal city, you can now start getting into the nitty-gritty – and you might as well start with finding the right accommodation. If you’ve the budget, why not go straight for the 5-star hotels? This holiday is about pampering yourself, after all! Though if you’d rather keep some money back for day-to-day experiences, you may find some stellar deals on boutique stays instead. Try to avoid platforms like Airbnb, though; this might sound counterintuitive, but they can be costlier and more troublesome than conventional hotels.

3. Crafting an Itinerary of Must-See Attractions

Accommodation sorted, it’s time to draw up your itinerary. No city break is complete without taking in the major tourist attractions, no matter how counter cultural you’re feeling; give yourself at least a couple hours to take in the big stuff! That said, you’ll get more from your city break if you’re able to sniff out the neigh our hoods that the locals love to hang out in – where you’ll find cool venues and cooler art.

4. Gastronomic Delights: Where to Eat and Drink

Food and drink naturally play a crucial role in any city break. Even if you’re not going somewhere known for its culinary scenes, you’ll still find them with the right search terms – and you’ll be heavily rewarded if you do. Eating well isn’t about Michelin-starred dining, though you’re welcome to go looking for it! Take a leaf from Antony Bourdain’s book, and go for the local street food, the secret spots that only the locals know, the restaurants that look like living rooms. With a full belly and a full heart, your city break will be exactly the circuit-break you needed.