Rain clouds sweep in, the sun peers around the corner and decides to forget it for the day. Work is miserable, the boss is... hmmm. Sounds like you need a break. City breaks, weekend getaways, romantic breaks, call them what you will, a long weekend in a foreign city is often just what the doctor ordered and the way to accomplish relationship nirvana. So, where to go?
The best part about living in the dead-set centre of the world is that we're just a plane ride away to city breaks you won't believe! Dubai? Just down the road. New York? Across the pond. Paris? Blink and you're there.
But before you go sticking the pin in a world map; put a little thought into your choice. Tailor it to what lights your fire, your budget and the likely weather. Luckily there is Holiday Supermarket to make your life simple.
Paris City Breaks
Paris - the city of love. So chic, so much to see, so many pounds to put on with all those pastries. Paris has many temptations; here are a few. Put yourself up in the Latin Quarter and walk to your destinations. The Eiffel Tower is a must (or at least a photograph of you wearing it like a dunce cap is) and if you have the energy, a climb to the top is a third the price of the lift.
The Louvre is worth the crowds and the Musee d'Orsay is breathtaking. Buy the Paris Museum Card online before you leave and forget the queues for tickets.
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New York City Breaks
New York City - never sleeps! Arrive here Friday night and you can visit bar after bar, see in the new day in a late night jazz haunt and be ready for breakfast in one of the many early openers in the village. Go to the Guggenheim, walk to Tribeca for lunch. Shop on 5th Avenue for the afternoon and hang out in Times Square for the evening.
Go see a Broadway show, get out on the harbour to the Statue of Liberty and saunter round the Battery Park district. New York is exhausting in a good way, and anyway, you can sleep when you're back at work...
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Rome City Breaks
Rome - the perfect holiday. It's the little things that make the difference in Rome. Espresso and a pastry for breakfast , pretty girls on scooters, a meal in a neighbourhood bistro. Try to stay within the Stazione Termini and Vatican City region because all the sights are compacted within this area and you'll be able to walk everywhere.
If you're planning a cultural blitz, buy the Roma Pass which will get you into two main attractions plus give you unlimited city travel. The must sees? The Coliseum, the Spanish Steps and St Peter's Basilica.
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Amsterdam City Breaks
Amsterdam - on your bike. The compact city of Amsterdam makes moving around a breeze. In between the nightlife, the naughty life and the cultural life, Amsterdam should have you pretty well covered. Do visit a coffee shop, cruise the red light area and stop in at the Van Gogh Museum. This is a stunning building housing an awesome collection.
To see Van Gogh's work is to understand what truly great art is. Visit also the Rembrandt House Museum. Make your life easy with the I Amsterdam Card.
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Prague City Breaks
Prague - the up and comer. Truth be told, Prague has been up and coming for some years now. But with good reason. This utterly beautiful city will capture your heart and draw you back time and again. Take in the Castle, Charles Bridge and Old Town Square. Spend your days in the museums, spend your nights in the lively bars and good value restaurants.
Drink beer, eat roast pork. Do your shopping on Celetna Street and make your way to the beautifully decorated Municipal House.
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Berlin City Breaks
Berlin - when you really need to let it all hang out. Berlin's reputation as a party town is well, well deserved. Appear in a nightclub before 11pm and you'll be on your own. Go to the Brandenburg Gate, visit the Reichstag and see the Holocaust Monument. Do your fancy shopping on Museumsinsel and cafe hop through Hackescher Markt.
Check out Checkpoint Charlie and party hard in Berghain /Panoramabar.
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Dublin City Breaks
Dublin - as pretty as a picture. Temple Bar beckons and shopping, your name is Grafton St. For the boys a little trip to the Guinness Brewery is a satisfyingly educational experience and culture can be found at Trinity College in the form of the Book of Kells. Dublin's nightlife scene is everywhere. For wall to wall entertainment try the Grafton St and St Stephen's Green area.
There are great markets on Moore St and if you're lucky you may find a game of Gaelic Football on at Croke Park.
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