Europe is such a great place to enjoy a city break. Not only, after all, are countries like France, Germany and Italy so close to us here in the UK, but they also offer some of the most rounded and fascinating cities to be found anywhere on the planet.
London
We might as well start our list reasonably close to home – after all, many Britons are flush with pride after the success of the 2012 Olympic Games in the English capital.
But of course, London has always offered an immense range of attractions and things to do, from historical sites like the Tower of London and Whitehall Banqueting House to art galleries like Tate Modern and the National Portrait Gallery. Nor should you forget the London Eye or the sensational nightlife and restaurants.
Paris
With its rich history as shown through its amazing architecture, you could easily entertain yourself in Paris simply by walking its streets. Of course, in truth, this famously romantic city has so much more to offer, from an irresistible ‘café culture’ and the Tuileries Gardens to the Eiffel Tower and the many art treasures that are housed in the Louvre.
Dublin
There are few better cities to which to pay a short visit than Dublin if you are interested in a hugely welcoming and energetic nightlife. However, it also has no shortage of other much-visit attractions, such as the towering Guinness Storehouse and the Old Library and the Book of Kells Exhibition at Trinity College Dublin.
Venice
With its hundreds of canals, bridges and islands, Venice definitely gives you plenty to discover on a short city break. It is quite simply one of this planet’s destinations that cannot be missed, with a calm and romantic atmosphere to savour once the day trippers have moved on.
Rome
City break destinations in Europe don’t come much mightier than the home of the Roman Empire. Rome has a wealth of historical sites simply unmatched anywhere else in the world, from the Pantheon and the Forum to the Coliseum. Nearby, on the other side of the river Tiber, you’ll find none other than the centre of the Catholic Church, the Vatican, dominated by the immense St Peter’s cathedral.