Just because you’ve only got a weekend to spare…doesn’t mean you can’t have a great time! There are plenty of excellent weekend deals available – and to make your life easier, we’ve done the hard work for you. Whether you want a gastronomic trip or just a weekend of shopping: there’s guaranteed to be something for you, just a short flight away. Here’s our top three pick…

Brussels
It’s only about 2 hours wherever you fly from, but make sure you get a private transfer to avoid waiting for the bus – I made this mistake once and never again! Brussels is a great gastronomic destination, and as well as having an amazing array of food on offer (from the exclusive seafood area or pitta kebab concoction alleyway to the local snail delicacy stalls) the food is always fresh and reasonably priced. So you can eat well on any budget!

Brussels. It’s not just all about EU regulations

For those wanting to explore a little and see some of the city, the cobbled medieval square of the Grand’ Place is beautiful and home to the famous flower market if you go in August. At other times of the year it holds a flea market where bargains can be found.

Grand Place, a great place to visit

The city’s most visited site is in the South; the Manneken- Pis. It is the symbol of Brussels and for those not quite up on their French, translates as “the pissing boy”. This statue needs no introduction…

Self-explanatory!

Venture to the Royal Quarter, which houses the palace and the royal park, and leads to the Belgian Parliament. For art lovers, this area also boasts the Musées Royaux des Beaux-Arts which displays Belgian and old Flemish art. Head to the East to walk through the Parc du Cinquantenaire, which is home to Belgium’s Arc de Triomphe and also an array of museums. Its certainly the place to soak up some culture.

Paris
One of the most famous and vibrant cities is the world, Paris is broken into 10 arrondissements which include the Latin quarter, Montmartre and Montparnasse. Each area has its own specific charm and focus, but its a huge place and easy to get lost in…so its best to know where you want to go before you get there. Unless you want to get lost, that is. And seeing as the flight is only about 2 hours in total, it´s somewhere you can visit for a weekend time and again and really get to know the city well.

Paris - one of the world’s most famous cities

A must see is the Eiffel tower as this is probably one of the most famous symbols of Paris and one of the best known buildings in the world. Touristic it may be, but it looms large and there´s no building quite like it. Standing 300-metres high, it’s one of the most visited attractions, and you´ll see why when you get the views from the top and see up to 65 kilometres away! You can even walk all the way up to the second level – but you need a head for heights. And of course, at night, its beautiful when lit up.

Is there anything more iconic than the Eiffel Tower?

The best tours of Paris are available near the Eiffel Tower from the Bateaux Parisiens. It’s a quieter tour and you get to see the sites and gather your bearings for little cost. To really see some Parisian charm, and to save some pennies, take a stroll along the River Seine. There´s plenty to see and enjoy, and its reminiscent of London but with a little extra pizzaz. Stop off in the Latin quarter for drinks, vibrancy and art, this is still considered by many artists and writers as the most bohemian place in the world. But if it´s a bar crawl you´re after, look no further than the gay district and take a trip along Rue du Marché au Charbon.

True art lovers must visit the Picasso and Dali museums on Rue de Rivoli. Being a Picasso fanatic, I can promise you won´t be disappointed. But there´s plenty more to see including the Sacre Couer, the historic Place Charles de Gaulle where Napoloeon ordered the construction of the Arc de Triomphe, and a multitude of street performers and artists to observe. For those fancying a bit of sauciness, visit the seven storey erotica museum in Boulevard de Cliché, or tantalise yourself at one of the most famous Can-Can shows in history; the Moulin Rouge.

The Moulin Rouge. And Ewan McGregor’s nowhere sight!

Amsterdam
Another massive city with lots to explore and only a short flight away; Amsterdam is made up of seven main areas which include canals, the museum quarter and the quieter area of the jordaan. Known for its smoking cafes, tulips, cycling and Red Light district, there´s certainly more to Amsterdamn than initially meets the eye and its guaranteed to please any traveller – no matter what reason they have for going! Its chaotic, friendly and easy to get around, making it an ideal weekend destination.

Amsterdam, it’s not all about the Red Light District!

The Van Gogh museum is a good place for a stop off and houses some of the well known artists best work, with over 200 paintings and 500 drawings and the famous Irises available for all to see. Don´t forget to marvel over how he was so unsuccessful during his lifetime…and compare to how his paintings sell for millions today.

The Van Gogh museum. Remember. He died penniless

For nightlife, there´s the Red Light district which isn´t just about selling sex (though admittedly…its everywhere!) There´s the famous Supperclub which has weird and wonderful live acts and unforgettable food (though it wont be easy on your pocket, it’s worth a visit). Or take in a concert or film at the Melkweg complex which is a transformed dairy which showcases live music and club nights as well as local artistic talent being on display.

Thinking of something a bit quieter? For wandering and shopping in a less touristic environment, try the Jordaan, where you can find plenty of bargains, markets and boutiques, and have a colourful wander past old fashioned bars and bakeries. A nature lover´s stop should include the Botanic Gardens which is home to the worlds oldest pot plant but has lovely terraces on which to sit and relax.

After some nature? Why not visit the Botanic Gardens in Amsterdam?

And if all else fails – hire a bike and see the streets on two wheels. Or lock yourself in a café…its up to you what you indulge in!

Do you have a favourite break? What have we missed out? Please comment to let us know!

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