We’ve been to Italy, the Netherlands, Portugal, Hungary, Spain, Russia and the Czech Republic so far and now the final two cities on the list provide the opportunity to visit two more nations…
2: Istanbul
East meets West quite literally in the city of Istanbul, which straddles the Bosphurus Strait and is partly located in Europe and partly in Asia.
Once the capital of the Roman Empire and an important trading route in days gone by, the sprawling city is packed with museums and galleries amongst a wide range of stunningly beautiful buildings that reflect the many dynasties that have had an impact on Istanbul through the years.
The Sultan Ahmed Mosque, the Hagia Sophia and the Suleymaniye Mosque are three religious monuments that are worth a visit whilst in the city although there is plenty more besides – such as the palace that was once of the royal residence during the time of the Ottoman Empire As well as a range of dining and entertainment options, Istanbul is a dream destination for anyone with a desire to take part in some retail therapy, with top class designer stores selling goods from the major international brands.
On the other side of the coin, Istanbul is also home to the Grand Bazaar; regarded as one of the great markets of the world where shoppers can select goods from thousands of stalls and stores.
1: Paris
And so to our number one; the French capital Paris. One of the most popular cities in the world, Paris welcomes tens of millions of tourists on a yearly basis.
Amongst the most popular attractions for those visiting the city are the Eiffel Tour, the Louvre art museum, Notre Dam Cathedral and Basilica of Sacre-Coeur – all of which are instantly recognisable to people around the world.
You could also take a trip along the famous River Seine, experience some of the best fine dining around or sample top class shopping from the best designers in the world.
Whilst there is plenty to reward those who take a stroll through the city streets, Paris is also the ideal option for families looking for a weekend away given the close proximity of Disney’s European theme park; opening up the opportunity of something akin to a short ‘multi-centre’ break.
With direct travel by rail from the UK as well as by air, there are few cities that are as accessible as Paris; all of which adds to the attraction for anyone wanting a weekend away from home.
In case you missed it:
Traveltext’s Top 10 European city breaks: 9-10
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Traveltext’s Top 10 European city breaks: 5-6
Traveltext’s Top 10 European city breaks: 3-4