January is a tough month for us all. Still stuck in the realms of the Christmas break and so fed up of the English weather, but in fact, now is the perfect time to set yourself something to look forward to – a weekend getaway. Whether it is something that you fancy at the end of the month (after exams maybe?), or a summer break so you are guaranteed for some sunshine, either way now is the perfect time to book something up.
But where should you go? Well coincidently enough, I have been looking at weekend breaks with my housemates at University, so it only seems right that I give a little taste of where we’ve been looking and the Top 5 Weekend Destinations.
Paris, France
Paris is so much more than the ‘city of love’, there is so much more that you can get out of Paris than a romantic weekend away. Of course, if that is what you’re after then don’t let me stop you, but Paris is the top destination for weekend breaks and I couldn’t agree more! Personally, Paris is somewhere that I have visited a number of times, but it is one of those places that will give you a new experience every time you go. So a few sights to tick of the list: obviously the Eiffel Tower is a given, the Sacre Coeur or Notre Dame and even take a boat trip down the River Seine. The capital of France really is the home to some stunning sights.
Barcelona, Spain
Spain’s second city – although I wouldn’t let the locals here you say that! It’s the home of architecture and the hub for some of the most famous attractions. Gaudi’s La Sagrada Familia, La Pedrera are just a couple of the more well-known master pieces, but there is so much more to offer other than a bit of sunny weather! A busy city, famous for Las Rambalas and home to FC Barcelona (if that’s something that takes your fancy!) This is another place that I have been lucky enough to visit myself so believe me when I say don’t forget to taste the culture through the iconic tapas selections and enjoy some of the traditional Spanish nightlife, aka. Flamenco dancing!
Prague, Czech Republic
Now, correct me if I am wrong, but Prague is definitely a destination that has become more popular over the past 10-15 years as a holiday destination. The Czech capital appears to have become one of the busiest cities in Europe and is home to some of the most beautiful stone buildings. Prague is certainly somewhere to set your eyes on and easy to cram many sights into one weekend. Despite the cold weather at times, there is always a Czech beer to keep you on your toes.
Rome, Italy
Pizza, Pasta and the home to some of the most incredible food in the world, Rome is a city that is packed with the most historic sites in the world. Famous for the Roman heritage of the Colosseum, the Pantheon and the Forum, Rome draws crowds all year round to see its wealth of ancient history. But going away for the weekend is not all about the history. There are a few things that need to be ticked off the bucket list. Firstly, you must throw a coin into the Trevi Fountain (just like they did in The Lizzie McGuire movie) and you have to visit a restaurant for the calorific pizza and pasta dishes.
Dublin, Ireland
And finally, a city not so far from home. Dublin is the place where party meets culture, and is the perfect spot for a few dreamy Irish accents. Probably most appealing for its bars and lively nightlife, you can’t visit Dublin without visiting an Irish bar and being fronted with a pint of Guinness (whether you choose to drink it or not, that’s up to you!) You might not think it, but Dublin is actually a perfect place for shopping and is home to one of the most popular rugby teams. An all-rounder in terms of cities to visit – it must be the luck of the Irish!
So why not treat yourself? Get together with a few friends and send yourselves away on a weekend getaway. Set a budget so you don’t go too overboard, everyone knows what you’re like once you’ve had a drink (or four!), escape the cold weather and be free of the January gloom!
katiemallalieu 