10 Great European Weekend Breaks

As the pace of life seems to accelerate toward ever more frenetic speeds, the need to take a break, even for just a few days, is ever more pressing. No one can function well when they’re running on empty. But staying at home rarely does the trick; the temptation is always there to tidy up, shampoo the carpets, decorate, repair, improve, or just catch up with that soul-destroying backlog or ironing. You end up going back to work to catch a rest.

If this story sounds depressingly familiar, it really is time to think of better ways to spend your short, precious weekend breaks. And Europe provides a veritable treasure trove of fabulous options. In no particular order of wonderfulness, here are 10 of Europe’s best.

1. Venice

The conventional wisdom is that Venice in the summer should be avoided like the plague – smotheringly hot, over-congested, and over-rated. A couple of new hotels may well radically change these assumptions. Check out the stunning roof-top pool in the opulent new Hilton Molino Stucky Palace, with its breathtaking views of the innumerable palazzos, classical domes and spires of the ancient city stretching out below. Or soothe your tired body in the sumptuous new ‘Daniela Steiner Spa’ in the gorgeous 16th century building housing the new Bauer Palladio, with its stunning picture windows affording magnificent views of the nearby St Marks Cathedral Basilica.

2. Como, Italy

Daniel Craig’s James Bond may have had a grotesque encounter with a knotted rope in the movie Casino Royale, but he rapidly recovered his ardour in a sumptuous sanatorium overlooking jaw-droppingly beautiful landscapes. You can take in the very same scenes with a visit to the fabulous Villa Balbianello at Italy’s Lake Como. The Villa really does look as gorgeous as it did in the movie; situated 15 miles north of Como, it stands proudly at the tip of a lush, wooded promontory. And if you’re worried that the movie’s success has turned the lazy beauty of the lake into tourist hell, relax: it’s just as hypnotically picturesque as ever. The prices are reasonable too, both for accommodation and for eating out.

3. Andalucía, Spain

How about a location known only to a few discerning Spaniards? You could do little better than try a spell in Vejer de Frontera, a delightfully unspoilt medieval town with immense, barely populated beaches nearby. And if you’re old enough to be travelling without children under 16, you could try the gloriously relaxing Casa Cinco, run by a coupe of aficionados from Soho. It’s a spellbindingly beautiful B&B, a loving restoration of an original Moorish Andalucían building, and the owners will guide you directly to the best eateries and drinking holes in the old town.

4. Cotes D’Azur, France

Just four miles to the east of Nice lies a delightful little port called Villefranche-sur-Mer, with a lovely little beach and amazingly delicious seafood served by the many fish restaurants lining the bay. Obscure though it may be to the travel agent, it attracts the likes of Bono and John Travolta to its eateries. Secluded, beautiful and peaceful, it’s the prefect retreat for relaxation and gastronomic indulgence.

5. Loch Ewe, Scotland

The common English prejudice is that Scotland is a land of snow, rain and constant cloud. But partial truths should never be accorded canonical status. Scotland is also enchantingly, mesmerizingly beautiful, and perhaps nowhere moreso than at Loch Ewe. A luxurious hideaway on the loch’s shores is Pool House, where you can dine on lobster from the loch itself, Scottish beef or haggis cooked in Drambuie.

6. Paris, France

Don’t waste time and money at a Parisian B&B. If you’re only there for a day or two, have a go at aristocratic luxury. The newly refurbished Hotel Balzac would put a smile on the face of Louis XIV; it’s almost unimaginably sumptuous and it’s the perfect base for a quick foray to the Champs Elysees, the Eiffel Tower and a trip to the magnificent Palace at Versailles.

7. County Meath, Ireland

If you fancy stepping back a century or two into gorgeous rural tranquillity without losing touch with twenty-first century comforts, the magnificent Bellinter House will be just the place for you. A stunning Palladian country house hotel, it dates back to the mid-eighteenth century and overlooks the splendid River Boyne. It boasts massive original stone fireplaces and oak panelled walls, but delivers funkily fabulous food from its state of the art kitchen. It has several pools, a sauna and a billiards room and you can even go fly-fishing on the Boyne – a three mile strip of it is for the private use of hotel guests.

8. London, England

There are some places in London you wouldn’t choose to chill out in. Catford and Peckham have yet to earn reputations as tourist hotspots. But theatreland is different; it’s the glittering heart of London razzmatazz, and a stay at the beautiful Haymarket Hotel right in the middle of this enchanted area is the perfect hotel experience. A stunning John Nash townhouse, this hotel combines opulence with chic. From the fabulous sculpture in the lobby to the Hollywood billionaire-style swimming pool, this is an experience of stylish luxury you won’t forget in a hurry.

9. Snowdonia, Wales

Even though the weather here is at times for the hardier amongst us, the mesmerising beauty of the surroundings is quite simply bewitching. And if you can find a luxuriously comfortable place to stay, you’ll get the beauty without the elements. One such place is the newly refurbished Ffynnon Townhouse, a gorgeous small hotel situated at the foot of Cader Idris in Southern Snowdonia. Fusing classic with contemporary designs and facilities, this converted Victorian rectory offers luxurious rooms, a tasteful bar, sumptuous breakfasts and soothing, peaceful tranquillity.

10. Bruges

This is a city which becomes even more enchantingly beautiful in the winter, especially in the historic centre of old Bruges. Strolling along a misty canal, riding through the fabulous architecture in an open carriage, and settling down to a delectable meal in one of the many exquisite restaurants studding the city, a weekend here gives you an utterly beguiling experience which you’ll savour long after returning home.

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