Thinking about your next adventure, and considering a city break? Looking forward to spending your days in intriguing museums, eating fabulous food, and enjoying the hustle and bustle of a new, vibrant culture? With so many incredible places in the world, you may have trouble deciding which city to visit next. Start with how much time you have! Knowing the length of your trip will help you decide which city is right for your visit. Here’s what we look for when choosing a city for our clients’ 3, 5, and 7-night stays. And our top cities for each of those windows of time.
3 Night Adventures
Whether you’re looking for a quick weekend getaway from your home in the States or you just want to sprinkle a little bit of a city into your European countryside adventure, spending 3 nights in a city is the minimum we recommend for nearly every destination. However, some cities are more perfect for a three-night stay than others.
What to Look For
If you’re short on time, you want to look for a city that won’t overwhelm your senses. A destination that has low-key chill vibes and a smallish city center. Look for a destination that has enough to do for your specific interests but not so much that you’ll feel rushed trying to see it all. Choose a city that’s easy to walk around in. This will enhance your journey and keep you from feeling like you’re spending the whole three days on the subway.
Top Weekend Getaways From the US:
Quebec, Canada
Charleston, SC
Santa Fe, NM
Top Cities to Mix into a European Adventure:
Prague, Czechia
Seville, Spain
Cardiff, Wales
5 Night Adventures
Five nights is a great amount of time to spend in a medium-to-large city. You’ll have days dedicated to seeing the most impressive sites and museums, interspersed with relaxed, unstructured time, finding hidden gems and exploring a little on your own. You’ll have the time to get a little lost, to feel like you’re experiencing the authenticity of a city. And you can relax in a café or bar without feeling like you’re missing out. With five nights, you’ll get to know the city more deeply and feel like you’ve truly experienced it.
What to Look For
If you have 5 nights in a city, you want to make sure there’s enough to keep your interest without being overwhelming. Look for medium-to-large cities that have several museums, interesting sights, or a unique scene. Look for places that are pleasant to walk around. But don’t shy away from spots that require public transport, or have secondary areas that you may want to visit. Destinations that have big city vibes packed into small city areas are often best for five-night adventures.
Top Cities for a 5 Night Stay:
Edinburgh, Scotland
Athens, Greece
Stockholm, Sweden
Dublin, Ireland
Berlin, Germany
Vancouver, Canada
7-Night Trips
A week-long stay is for the big cities of the world. These are the sorts of places that you could spend months, even years exploring, and still feel that there was more to find. Those who try to spend just a few short days in these cities often feel rushed and stressed. Choosing to stay a week in a city encourages you to slow down, to really take in the city and enjoy it. It also allows time for a daytrip or two outside the city, if you like.
What to Look For
If you’re spending a week in a city, you certainly want there to be lots to do and see. But it doesn’t have to be all museums and monuments; look for cities with variety so that you get the opportunity to change up your experiences. Cities with good food, bustling markets, and lots of events are going to be your best options. Look for destinations that are usually high on everyone’s bucket list but are rarely given enough time. If the city has a never-ending list of things you “must see” when you visit, that’s a sign it’s perfect for a seven-night trip.
Top Cities to Spend 7 Nights
Paris, France
Tokyo, Japan
Rome, Italy
London, Uk
Sydney, Australia
Rio de Janiero, Brazil
Are you ready to find the perfect city for your next city break adventure? Let us know – we’d love to help you plan!