Insider’s Tips on Planning the Perfect City Break

City breaks are the perfect opportunity to get away from it all. Whether you’re heading for sunnier climes, escaping the drudge of day-to-day life, or just fancy experiencing another place – they can be a brilliant way to relax and refresh.

But how do you make sure that your blissful getaway remains drama-free? Like avoiding paying an arm and a leg when it comes to travel costs. Sorting the hidden gems from the over-hyped hotspots. And getting everything in order, so as your trip away is as stress free as possible.



We spoke to a few of our favourite bloggers to get their top tips on how to plan the perfect city break.

Create a Wish List

People who return from their holidays with advice on the best places to eat, shop and stay, rarely do so by accident. Nowadays, there are plenty of ways for the dedicated travel planner to sniff out the best local knowledge ahead of their trip.

 “The other day I came across someone pointing out how many restaurants in Paris have café gourmand on the menu, which is, I kid you not, coffee plus four mini pastries. Is that the greatest thing in the world or what?” – Lix Hewett



In her blog piece on holiday planning, Lix sums up perfectly why a wish list is key. It’s that personal reminder of why you became interested in a destination in the first place.

Perhaps it’s the out-and-out opulence of the cuisine. Or maybe a lesser-known landmark features in your favourite book, or film.

Whatever it is that first excited you about that location, keep it in mind! Write it down. Don’t let exploring the sights and sounds of a new city make you forget what sparked the wanderlust in you in the first place.

Plan to Avoid Disappointment

While having a wish list is a holiday essential, there’s no point knowing what you want and not knowing how to get it. That means researching opening times, buying tickets in advance and planning how to get from your hotel to the sights you want to see.

We asked lifestyle blogger Chloe for her advice, after a summer trip to Italy.

“If you have a few attractions you want to see, it definitely pays to book in advance. In Rome, queues for the Vatican were at least three hours long, and probably similar for the Colosseum. Buy in advance people!”



Booking accommodation with friendly, English speaking staff and good transport links can also be important. If you don’t speak the local language, and you’re staying out in the middle of nowhere, you might find even the smallest of excursions a struggle.

Next time you’re in Rome, consider the Grand Hotel Palace for a perfect base to explore
from.

Hunt Around for the Best Deals

Lifestyle blogger Skylish recently spoke about the great deal she received on a trip to Miami “a 2-minute walk from the beach, free breakfast, beach towels and always available water for all those staying with them.”  

These kind of package offers aren’t unusual for hotels – but are often an incentive to book direct, rather than through booking websites.

Don’t just visit an aggregate website and assume that’s the best deal you can get – always check with the hotel. You won’t find offers like the Plan Ahead and Save offer anywhere else on the web, and with it you could save 15% on hotels across Europe.

Set yourself up for a relaxing trip

If you’re an anxious traveller – try to pack with your worries in mind. Keep a tick-list of your essentials, and make sure you always remember things like gadget chargers and travel adaptors. There’s nothing worse than arriving in another city low on juice, without a charger.

And, for that extra little boost, blogger Laura Pearson- Smith recommends using aromatherapy to help you unwind.

Preparation is key – and that includes making sure you’re in the perfect mindset to enjoy yourself. Having everything planned ahead-of-time will help to prevent any last-minute panics, but it’s also important to make sure you arrive relaxed, and ready to enjoy yourself.

So, don’t think of planning a holiday as a chore! Use it as an excuse to get excited about your time away. And remember, planning is the new spontaneous - especially with 15% off hotels  across the UK and Europe with our Plan Ahead and Save offer. Book today and find your perfect escape.