Our 2019 City Break Bucket List
This is the time of year when my thoughts turn to planning our holidays and city breaks for the new year. So, I’ve compiled a list of all of the places we’re hoping to visit in 2019. There’s nothing I enjoy more in this world than packing my suitcase and escaping on a city break for the weekend. With the new year fast approaching and flights sales galore, there’s never been a better time to book one. Here’s some serious travel inspiration. As we set our sights on the New Year, prepare yourself for a serious dose of wanderlust.
Provence
Provence is right up there on our list of destinations for 2019. It’s a huge region, so to break it down into a short trip, I’d love to visit in summer to see the miles of purple-hued lavender fields – you can find these in the Lubéron, where pretty hilltop towns are stacked high like rustic wedding cakes. Gordes is one such fairytale town. To round off my Provence rendezvous, I’d head for the sea. Cannes is probably a little too fancy for me, so I’d skip that and instead take myself and my best retro bathing suit to Sète for more of a laid-back beach vibe.
York
Next up it’s York. This year I’m determined to stay with one of the best hotels in York, The Grand Hotel. Practically as old as the hills themselves, York is quaint, pretty and filled with medieval streets, centuries-old fortifications and one behemoth of a cathedral. It’s not hard to see why flocks of visitors from across the world venture this far north to check it out. I’d head here in early Summer and visit York’s historical quarter. Whilst there I’d definitely check out the ancient fortified walls that once protected the city from outsiders.
Edinburgh
There are amazing views, hidden courtyards, secret gardens and stunning architectural details to be discovered almost everywhere you look. From the history-soaked medieval tenements, vennels and wynds of the Old Town to the sweeping elegance of the Georgian New Town, Edinburgh deserves its reputation as one of the most beautiful cities in the world. Easy to get around by bus, Edinburgh is built on a human scale. This is a city that repays close inspection so the best way to get to know it is on foot. My favourite time of year to visit is during the Summer. When the city plays host to the famous Fringe festival.
Amsterdam
With cheap flights from all over the UK, Amsterdam seems to have become the place to be in recent years. Amsterdam has the buzz of a metropolis, with few big-city drawbacks. It’s small enough to walk or cycle almost anywhere you want. Pretty bridges and quiet canals give it village-like charm. Yet you’ll also find incredible art museums and one of the best orchestras in the world. Most of all, Amsterdam combines its glittering past with a rebellious edginess. We think that any season in Amsterdam has its beauty. The canals are particularly beautiful in the Summer and the Van Gogh museum alongside Anne Frank’s annex are a must see.
