Paris
Forever the home of bohemian artists and struggling Left Bank writers, Paris is also a commercial hub housing the biggest purpose-built business district in Europe, La Défense, where towering cosmopolitan glass structures form a stark contrast to the traditional images of steep cobbled streets depicted in old romantic films.
Paris offers diverse attractions and architecture, from its neoclassicist and beaux-arts buildings like the Grand Palais to the 16th century, world-famous Louvre located in the beautiful Jardin des Tuileries.
To escape the traditional tourist track have a look at Canal St Martin and its street art, wander the eastern neighbourhoods of Belleville, Oberkampf and Bastille, or visit the relatively undiscovered Roman ruins at the Archaelogoical Crypt (near Notre Dame).
Amsterdam
Stereotypes and red lights aside, Amsterdam offers a unique blend of old and new; it’s a place where 17th century architecture and peaceful canals meet modern culture and world-class museums, and where international cuisine meets some of Europe’s best nightlife.
As a small, quiet city it crams a lot in, with key highlights including the Van Gogh museum, the Rijksmuseum (housing over 8000 works by Rembrandt and other world-famous artists) the Anne Frank House, Albert Cuyp (one of Europe’s biggest outdoor markets) and Dam Square in the centre, where Napoleon and troops were welcomed when the city was taken over in 1808.
Stockholm
Sweden’s terracotta-tinted capital is one of Europe’s five fastest growing cities; it’s also one of the greenest, cleanest and most stunning.
As Scandinavia’s busiest city it’s bursting with attractions, from The Vasa Museum where visitors can admire the world’s only preserved 17th century ship, to an entire building dedicated to ABBA.
Other cultural attractions include Baroque-style home of the Swedish king The Royal Palace, and the spectacular Riddarhuset, built in the 1600s when it was used by the Swedish parliament. The city offers hiking trails for nature-lovers alongside boat trips, bustling nightlife, world-class cuisine and, when the holiday season comes into swing, some of Europe’s best Christmas markets.
Barcelona
It’s not often a city break offers the chance to relax on beautiful beaches while also exploring world-renowned architecture, history, culture and shopping, but a Barcelona getaway is one of the exceptions.
The city caters for all tastes, with traditional Spanish cuisine and tapas bars to contemporary cocktail venues. The best spots to admire the city’s characteristically modern architecture by obscure 19th century genius Gaudí are La Pedrera, Park Guüell and, of course, La Sagrada Família, which puts a modern spin on medieval architecture and is still being built more than a century into its life.
Prague
The Czech capital has grown to become one of the most popular choices for weekend getaways over recent years and it’s no surprise given the city’s distinctive combination of intriguing history and stylish modernity.
Its quaint Old Town and marketplace, characterised by winding cobbled lanes and dating back more than 1000 years, joins a contemporary art and nightlife scene which includes jazz clubs, traditional pubs and world-renowned breweries.
The National Gallery (Veletržní Palác) houses works from Van Gogh to Klimt, while those with an interest in history can explore Prague Castle, the biggest of its age in the world. Those feeling a little more adventurous, meanwhile, can embark on a cycle path which winds its way through the country’s hills all the way through to Austria’s quaint capital, Vienna.
