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Beach holidays are amazing, don’t get me wrong – but there’s nothing quite like a city break.
Strolling cobbled streets, gazing upon historic architecture, spending your days wandering from cafe to restaurant to bar, with museums, parks, galleries, and maybe some shopping in between… that’s paradise.
If you’re looking to do some off-peak-season exploring in the coming months, here are three hidden gems that should be top of your travel wish list.
1) Ljubljana, Slovenia
Small enough to cover loads of ground on foot, but big enough to contain heaps of places to eat by the river, drink Slovenian wine, and learn about local culture, Ljubljana makes for a downright beautiful city break.
If you get a chance, definitely make the day trip to Lake Bled – the views over Bled Island are like something out of a fairy tale, so a day spent strolling around the lake and sailing across it in a Pletna boat is a must.
2) Cuenca, Spain
Less than two hours’ drive away from Madrid is Cuenca, a historic city nestled in the mountains that’s been a UNESCO World Heritage Site for decades.
It’s famous for its brightly-painted medieval buildings and ‘hanging houses’, which are mind-boggling structures that jut out over cliff drops.
You’ll want to make time to walk the Puente de San Pablo footbridge, which offers some unparalleled views of the city. There are also plenty of museums for art-lovers, and eateries for foodies to choose from.
3) Riga, Latvia
This is the place to go if you love getting all the benefits of a capital city, including fascinating culture, storied history, great places to eat and drink, and stunning architecture, without the typical hustle and bustle of more popular destinations like London, Paris or Barcelona.
Be sure to make time for a walking tour, and ask about the city’s beavers while you’re there. If you’re lucky, you might even spot one yourself.
Travelling on a budget?
Whether you’ve got a family and you’re looking for ways to make half-term memorable without breaking the bank, or you’re a solo traveller looking for an adventure that has a happy ending for both you and your wallet, Vuelo is a pay-now-buy-later solution that could help.
Offering interest-free payment instalments that let you travel now, and handle the bill later, they’ve recently started offering longer-term plans for extra flexibility.
You can set up payment plans on things like hotel stays, cars, and flights, and the app has a search tool that lets you browse thousands of popular brands in one place.
You can also save up to 48% by booking your trip early. And Vuelo also happens to have a Trustpilot score of 4.6, with reviewers loving factors like the customer service, how clear the terms are, and how easy it is to use overall.
