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If you’ve ever been tempted to book an impromptu city break during your lunch at work, you’re not alone. In the past few years, city breaks have been on the rise, becoming equally as popular as the stereotypical beach holiday. For the culturally curious, a city break allows you to explore the true core of a country. Here, a handful of the Maxwell Scott team share the cities they are eager to visit, this year…
“I’d love to visit for the nightlife, fine nordic dining and the beautiful spectacle of the Northern Lights during the winter months.”
– William Forshaw, CEO
Transforming from a rural farmstead to a bustling city after World War II, Reykjavik is one of the smallest capitals in the world. Baring deep Viking roots, this Icelandic cultural hub is renowned for its majestic scenery and stripped-back lifestyle. Everything, including the nightlife, is rather wild here. Offering a thriving alternative music scene, Reykjavik has become hip in its present day. It’s past stories, however, are still there to be explored. You can live and breathe the city’s historic culture at the Settlement Exhibition, before visiting the National Museum to observe some of the country’s most ancient artefacts. Walk down to the Old Harbour and take a stroll around the Saga Museum to explore Reykjavik’s long-standing maritime industry. When you’re feeling peckish, head to the array of sleek bars and restaurants lining the heart of the city, serving high-quality Icelandic cuisine in a relaxed, Scandi-style atmosphere. If you’re looking to chill out in the day and stay out in the night, you’re bound to fall hard for Reykjavik.
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“I would love to visit Barcelona to enjoy the art and architecture of the cosmopolitan capital of Spain’s Catalonia region. The quirky and creative atmosphere of the city sounds right up my street.”
– Julia Munder, Marketing Manager
Regarded as the California of Europe, the laidback vibes from the beach blended with the cultural buzz from the streets livens the soul of every human Barcelona accommodates. There’s just so much spirit, here – you can sense it down every cobbled walkway. As the heat subsides in the summer evenings and settles on the ground, Barcelona’s locals and visitors fill every bohemian bar on every corner, spilling out onto the roadside, swirling echoes of excitable chatter around the city. It becomes clear very quickly that everybody is here to have the most fun they can.
Don’t fret though, there are more serious and touristy activities to be encountered, also. This metropolis has inspired some of the finest artists known to mankind – Salvador Dalí, Pablo Picasso and Joan Miró to name a few. Their iconic work hangs in the multiple art museums dotted around the city. There’s also an abundance of historic architecture to gaze at, from ancient Roman walls and columns to the Gothic quarter’s grand cathedrals. Known as the zeitgeist of Catalan’s Modernism, you must experience Gaudi’s distinctive designs. The Sagrada Familia from inside is, quite simply, breathtaking.
As for the coastline, you forget you’re in one of Europe’s most lively cities as soon as your feet touch the sand. Relax near the Mediterranean waters with a cool cerveza or take to the sea for a spot of paddle boarding or windsurfing to boost your energy levels. If you’re looking to squeeze every last experience out of a city break, Barcelona is the one.
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“In an ideal world, Tokyo would be my next city to visit – mainly for the unique food and the vibrant nightlife.”
Helen Forrest, Graphic Designer
Tokyo’s main draw is its magical ability to never age. A place that renews itself daily to keep up with the modern world, you’re never done exploring Japan’s capital. With a population of over nine million, it’s incredibly easy to lose yourself, here. A city once full of wooden shanties, geishas and cherry blossom gardens, its present form tells a different story. Adorned with tall skyscrapers, neon-lit adverts, and supersized shopping malls, Tokyo introduces you to the future. As you walk around, it’s easy to believe that you’re stuck on a sci-fi movie set. If you’re hungry, eat authentic noodles at the side of the street or sushi in a swanky skyrise restaurant. The quality is bound to be the same. All Tokyo chefs take extreme pride in their cuisine, so you’ll be unlucky to experience a disappointing meal. This Japanese hub may seem overwhelming at first, but once you peel back the layers, you’ll notice that it’s an impeccably clean and safe place to visit, with arguably the best public transport in the world. If you’re looking for a 180-degree culture shift, Tokyo is undoubtedly your ideal city break.
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“I would love to visit Venice to soak in the atmosphere of such a historic city, whilst enjoying a traditional gondola ride.”
– Chris Grice, Paid Advertising Manager
This unique Venetian city boasts romanticism and charm around every corner. A place that is sure to leave you speechless with its postcard scenes and Renaissance architecture, it truly is a city lost in time. A city floating on water, it’s no surprise that there’s a dreamlike atmosphere in the air. Situated on a lagoon in the Adriatic sea, Venice has a thriving seafood scene. Visit one of the many classic Venetian restaurants by the canalside and indulge in some of the finest fish, washed down with Veneto’s signature nectar, prosecco.
The imposing architecture of the Basilica di San Marco and the Palazzo Ducale are beyond words and most certainly a must-visit. Travel through the veins of the city in the most idyllic of transportations – the gondola. An experience you simply must encounter, explore the side canals of this wondrous city as you sit back and let your personal gondolier serenade you with Baroque music and classic tales.
Despite the city turning sleepy in the evening, there are plenty of hidden bars to discover in the backstreets where the locals tend to reside. The depths of Venice’s core offers a chance to delve deep into the authenticity of this Venetian city. Away from the grandeur, you’ll discover flamboyant artists sketching in the streets, curious writers reading old literature and musicians strumming old guitars. It’s the ideal location to lose yourself in your own creativity. If you want to live in a dream world for a while, Venice is for you.
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