Top 5 Weekend Getaways for 2013
What better way to recharge your batteries than a weekend getaway to a beautiful destination in the company of a loved one? Usually just a quick fight away, a weekend getaway is the perfect way to relax and load up on those stress-busting endorphins for the battle of work ahead.
From rustic Swiss ski chalets to romantic French villas, here are five weekend getaways to relieve stress and rejuvenate your senses:
Note: All travel times are from London, UK. This includes time for airport transfer, security checks, etc. Approximate price includes hotel, round trip flight tickets, and food for one person.
Bruges, Belgium by Wolfgang Staudt
1. Bruges, Belgium
Approximate Travel Time: Less than 3 hours
Approximate Price: £300 per person
Bruges, the fairytale-like medieval town in the Northern part of Belgium, has recently become a major tourist hub, thanks to movies like ‘In Bruges’. And rightfully so, for Bruges seems to have been frozen in time; cobblestone streets, mid-17th century houses, canals and Gothic churches abound everywhere. Sip a glass of authentic Belgian beer, stroll along the banks of the many canals, or watch the snow falling gently from the town’s many bridges for an experience straight from a fairytale. Few cities in the world are as romantic and picture-postcard perfect as Bruges.
You can get to Bruges from the Belgian capital of Brussels, which is just a very short flight away from London. Trains from Brussels to Bruges leave every half hour, the journey being just an hour long.
Morzine, Switzerland by alex.coles
2. Morzine, Switzerland
Approximate Travel Time: 3.5 hours
Approximate Price: £400
Nestled in the Alps, Morzine is the quintessential Swiss ski-town, located just 90kms from Geneva. Getting to Morzine is easy – direct transfer by car can be booked right at the airport. Some travel companies also run direct charter flights from London and Manchester.
Morzine is the kind of Swiss ski town that astounds you with its sheer beauty. Paranormic views of the Alps, snow capped peaks, rolling green hills, and a tree-lined horizon welcome you as soon as you step into the town.
The best way to experience Morzine is from behind the fireplace of an authentic Swiss ski chalet. VIP SKI specialise in luxury chalets and offer a selection of luxurious, romantic ski chalets nestled in the heart of Morzine with prices including a personal chef, flights, transfers and all the added extras.
Morzine is an excellent destination for a touch of skiing and romance, ideally, take a couple of days off work and hit the slopes for a long weekend; if you fly out on Thursday you can ski on Friday and Saturday, and be back home on Sunday. For a weekend getaway, there is no more romantic a destination than a ski lodge in Morzine.
Monte Carlo, Monaco by Herry Lawford
3. Monte Carlo, Monaco
Approximate Travel Time: 3 hours
Approximate Price: £500 per person
As cliche as it may be, Monte Carlo still remains one of the best places for a weekend getaway. Just a 2 hour flight away from London, Monte Carlo, often called the ‘playground of Europe’, has something to offer for everyone: romantic cityscapes for couples, gambling and sports for large groups, and fantastic dining options for gastronomes.
Hire a bike and pedal down the Monaco-Ville, a medieval village nestled in the midst of Monaco’s urban sprawl. Visit one of the many exotic French gardens in the city (such as the Jardin Exotique), or get a taste of history at the Palais Princier and the Monaco Cathedral. Else, hop on board the tourist train, Azur Express to catch all of Monaco’s sights and sounds in one go.
Bath, Somerset, England, UK by Roland Turner
4. Bath, Somerset
Approximate Travel Time: 2.5 hours
Approximate Price: £400 per person
Instead of heading to the continent, why not try an English town teeming with history for your weekend getaway? Bath is an ancient city in Somerset with thousand year old Roman baths, stately Georgian mansions, and massive churches. One of England’s most well known pilgrim shrines, Bath has been one of Britain’s most popular tourist sites for centuries and is a UNESCO world heritage site.
Read Jane Austen’s Northanger Abbey on the flight, catch a glimpse of ancient churches such as the Bath Abbey, see how life was lived under the Romans at the 2000 year old Roman Baths. Then, cross over into Great Pulteney Street and round up your visit with a trip to the Royal Crescent.
Florence, Italy by Chris Yunker
5. Florence, Italy
Approximate Travel Time: 3.5 hours
Approximate Price: £450 per person
The birthplace of Michaelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci, and Botticelli, Florence is one of the world’s cultural capitals, a city richer than any in artistic heritage. Often called the cradle of Renaissance, it is just a short flight away from London.
The best way to see Florence is by bike. Pedal through the city’s many museums, including the Galleria degli Uffizi, which includes several artworks by the city’s first citizens, including Botticelli, da Vinci and Michaelangelo. Stop at Pitti Palacce and the Museo dell’Opera del Duomo, before halting at Bargello, which is known for its sculpture exhibits.
Next, head to the old town centre and see the Santa Maria del Flore, the Palazzo Vecchio, and the Santa Croce church to round up a romantic, beautiful weekend getaway.
This post is brought to you by VIP SKI, the specialists in luxury ski chalets with a collection of luxurious catered chalets throughout the Alps.
Category: Travel Tips
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