With summer on the way, you’re probably finding yourself daydreaming at your desk about leaving it all behind and going on a summer adventure. Whether you’ve already got a holiday booked or have left it to the last minute, there’s no reason why you can’t jet off on a mini weekend adventure. Dublin is a fantastic city but, sometimes, you just need to get away from it all. City breaks are a great way to press reset on life and get a culture injection in between work weeks. They can also help make you feel so much more refreshed when you come home. Here, we have put together a list of three of the best cities you can fly to direct from Dublin for under €100.
Amsterdam
Amsterdam is one of the most popular destinations in the world – and for good reason. It has a lot to offer for everyone, from a vibrant party scene to beautiful parks, architecture, and fascinating museums. If you’re heading there to learn about the history and experience the cultural sites, the Anne Frank house is a must-see to feel truly humbled, serving as a great reminder to never forget the atrocities of the past. To learn all about the history of the city, head on over to the Amsterdam City Archives where there is a small cinema showing old footage of the city from times gone by. Grab a bike and be sure to cycle down to the Rijksmuseum for some of the best art in Europe and, afterwards, take a short journey down to Vondelpark for a picnic of Vlaamse frites and beer while picking out your dream house for when you win the lottery.
For the party lovers out there, Amsterdam has it all – and we’re not only talking about the obvious. There are so many fantastic bars to taste local beers in, from cosy traditional pubs like In de Wildeman to modern cocktail bars like Vesper. The club scene will have you dancing all night long and all of your music tastes can be met. RADION is an industrial warehouse-turned techno club which is open 24 hours, or if that’s not your style then go for De Marktkantine which has some of the best quality programmes of any club in town and another smaller bar to retreat to when the noise gets too much.
There are plenty of places to shop and so much food to eat and you’ll quickly discover that the Dutch are the friendliest people in the world. Skyscanner has flights there for just €31.00, so you definitely won’t be breaking the bank!
Birmingham
London may be the go-to option when it comes to visiting the UK, but it is far more expensive than the rest of the country and there are so many other fantastic cities to see. Birmingham is the second largest city in the UK and there is a whole lot to do there. Whether you’re wanting to experience the cultural sites or hit the bars and clubs Birmingham has it all.
For the culture vultures out there, Birmingham will have you spoilt for choice. The Library of Birmingham is a beautiful spot which will have you running around (quietly!) for the perfect camera angle around its ten floors. The Custards Factory is a refurbished Victorian factory which is now the home of bustling local businesses such as vintage shops and niche food spots to grab some lunch. The Botanical Gardens are a must-see for nature lovers, and have been open for over 200 years and house everything from tropical rainforests to desert landscapes.
The nightlife of Birmingham is one of the best aspects of the city, and whether you prefer a cosy pub, a bustling bar crawl or a thumping nightclub, there is something for you. Grab a beer in Bacchus where you will be in awe of the amazing interiors which are full of character and transport you back in time. Head over to Bourne & Co, a New York prohibition-themed bar which is hidden away as a speakeasy where you will find some delicious cocktails to kick off your night with. Get your boogie on at Pryzm, an enormous venue complete with two party rooms, 51 booths, a separate bar and a smoking terrace. If you’re travelling solo, there’s no need to miss out on the fun as sites like Badoo can help you find pals or a date to help show you around the city and take you to the best places. You can get direct flights to Birmingham from Dublin from just €21.00.
Ibiza
If sea, sand and sunshine are an absolute must-have for your weekend break, you’re in luck. Ibiza is just a short flight away and has everything you need for a relaxing weekend away from the stresses of city life. If you’re looking to spend your weekend break by the sea working on that tan, head on over to Cala d’Hort for a beautiful island backdrop which is just begging to be Instagrammed. There is no better place to catch the sunset than by heading to San Antonio and grabbing a cold drink while leaving all of your troubles behind.
It’s not all parties and beaches though. There are a lot of cultural sites to see in Ibiza that cannot be missed. Take a trip into Eivissa, the main town of Ibiza, where you can see a gorgeous traditional cathedral which sits on the top of a steep hill and surrounded by charming winding streets where you’ll find lots of cute local shops, restaurants and houses. The walk may be long but as soon as you make it to the top, the incredible view over the island will show you it is so worth it.
Ibiza is packed with some amazing places to eat, so be sure to eat your fill. For some of the best Mediterranean food, take a trip to the hidden gem of Los Pasajeros which serves up some incredible homemade dishes and truly gives you a taste of authentic island life. Situated on the top of a cliff you’ll find Fay, a sleek and stylish pan-Asian tapas fusion restaurant where you can eat the night away with the best view on the island. For a quirky and eccentric dining experience, head on over to La Finca Can Suldat which is packed with fun knick-knacks and handwritten menus serving authentic French and Swiss dishes which are best enjoyed with a bottle of wine.
When the night descends, it’s time to hit up the bars. The Experimental Beach Club in Las Salinas is a breath of fresh air from some of the seedier bars on the island as it is situated on a rocky beach just off the Salinas strip. It serves delicious craft cocktails which will have you feeling relaxed and ready to enjoy your vacation in style. Beach House is a club which differs from the rowdy dance joints you’ll find up the strip and has a much more mellow feel to it. By day, Beach House is a relaxed bar and restaurant serving up pizzas and jugs of sangria, but by night it becomes a party hub where you can fiesta all night long. What’s more, it’s one of the few clubs in Ibiza with no cover charges and has pretty affordable drinks to keep you coming back for more.
To truly see the island in all of its glory, Walking Ibiza offers two-hour walking tours from just €10 per person. The tour starts from Isla Blanca and goes up to the north of the island which will show off the beautiful landscape, and along the way you’ll learn a lot about the hidden parts of Ibiza from the enthusiastic and knowledgeable local guides. It’s one of the best ways to get to intimately know the island, plus there are tea and cakes to look forward to at the end of it! You can fly direct to Ibiza from Dublin from just €80.00.
Source: Pixabay.com
One of the greatest perks of living in a capital city like Dublin is the fact you can take a weekend break away to some of the most incredible cities in the whole world for insanely cheap prices even at the last minute. Europe has it all, from relaxing weekend breaks to cultural city escapes and wild party weekends, there’s something to suit everyone’s tastes. Within just a couple of hours, you can find yourself in a landscape so vastly different from Dublin, in an entirely new culture and people speaking completely different languages.
Having a great city break doesn’t need to cost the world, heading to these destinations can be done for less than €80, but you’ll end up having such a great time which will make getting on that return flight so much more difficult!
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