Hop On A Ferry And Explore Europes Great Hot Spots
A short city break is a great way to slip another trip into your holiday calendar. But where to go? With time being of the essence, it’s important to pick somewhere that you can explore over a couple of days, but with enough going on to keep you entertained. Here are three favourite cities guaranteed to provide a fun-filled weekend to remember and all you need do is look out for a cheap ferry crossing to get you there!
Bruges – Perfect For Foodies
If your cooking is more Heston Services than Heston Blumenthal, it’s time to give your tastebuds a well-deserved treat. And where better to indulge yourself than in the achingly pretty Bruges. One of Europe’s best preserved medieval cities, Bruges is full of quaint, cobbled streets, winding canals – and more gastronomic delights than you can shake a very large waffle at. From cosy bistros to Michelin-starred restaurants, a weekend break here will see you sampling delicacies like Flemish-style mussels or Bruges-style boiled eel, all washed down with a local wheat beer. And for dessert? Chocolate, of course! The streets of Bruges are paved with truffle shops, but serious connoisseurs of the brown stuff should visit The Chocolate Line, a delightfully old-fashioned establishment where you can sample chilli, tequila and even Earl Grey-flavoured treats. And should you get bored of all the fine dining on offer, pick up a picnic in one of the delis on Vlamingstraat and just head to one of the lush, canal-side lawns to watch the boats go by.
Ferry to Belgium: There are regular crossings to Zeebrugge from Hull and once you arrive, Bruges is just a 20 minute drive away. Cabs and Buses are easy to catch, so getting around is straightforward.
Amsterdam – Perfect For Culture Lovers
Boasting more museums per square mile than any other city in the world, Amsterdam is the perfect choice for those looking for a sophisticated city break experience. The city’s two big hitters will get you started: the Rijksmuseum, home to Rembrandt’s epic Night Watch, and the Van Gogh Museum, which charts the great artist’s distinctly turbulent life. But if you’re looking for something more eccentric, Amsterdam won’t disappoint either. Try the Museum Vrolik with its creepy displays of human remains in jars, or the Brilmuseum, dedicated to all things optical and home to Buddy Holly’s glasses.
If you like your museums to be more interactive, head to the old Heineken Brewery and soak up some of the city’s drinking history. With tasting sessions offered as part of the tour, make sure you don’t fall in any canals afterwards! And if your eyeballs haven’t had enough for one day, take a stroll to the Tuschinski Theater to watch a film. The building is an art deco masterpiece and has to be one of the world’s most beautiful cinemas.
Ferry to Amsterdam: There are regular crossings from Hull to Rotterdam. Amsterdam is an easy one hour drive away from Rotterdam.
Dublin – Perfect For The Craic
If you want your city break to be wall-to-wall fun, Dublin is the place to be, to be sure. Start your visit as you mean to go on with a trip to the Guinness Storehouse, a visitor centre in the 250-year old brewery. Shaped like a giant pint glass, you climb up seven storeys steeped in history to the glass-fronted bar at the top. Here you can enjoy a fantastic view of the city and your first (and more importantly, free!) pint of the city’s lifeblood.
If your idea of fun has to include a bit of retail therapy, this style-conscious city won’t disappoint. There’s the main pedestrianised shopping areas of Grafton Street and Stephen’s Green but, for something a bit different, try George’s Street Arcade with its boutique shops and stalls selling quirky clothes, jewellery and second-hand records. No trip to Dublin would be complete without a visit to Temple Bar in the evening. The lively cobbled streets are packed with pubs and eateries – you’ll have a great time!
Ferry to Dublin: There are regular crossings between Liverpool and Dublin.
