Whether you have a week to spare or you’re looking to escape for a quick weekend away, these seven destinations are just a short flight away. Book in some annual leave, and in just a few weeks, you can find yourself plunging into Finland’s cold waters or wading through fallen leaves in Edinburgh. There’s something for everyone.
As we head towards the end of the year, the mornings get darker, and it becomes just that little bit harder to get out of bed in the mornings.
The best way to curb the end-of-year blues? Book in a few days to discover somewhere new. Whether you have a weekend or a week to spare, these blink-and-be-there destinations require minimal faff, so all you have to worry about is booking some annual leave and dreaming of good culture and better company.
Whether you’re looking for nature or only ever go to buzzy cities, these seven places have something for the foodies, the gallery goers, the cold plungers and everyone in between. For everyone looking for a bit of an escape this year, these are the places to know.
Vienna, Austria
If you haven’t yet been to Vienna, it’s still waiting for you. There’s a hidden gem around every corner; you can listen to music in Karlsplatz square or have your pick of museums and galleries. And if that doesn’t have you sold, I travelled on a 14-hour FlixBus to reach this destination, and I would do it all over again (but it’s also worth knowing that you can fly from London and be there in two hours).
Helsinki, Finland
If you love a cold plunge and a sauna, head to Helsinki to be part of the ice swimming culture. With a flight time of under three hours, you can experience all that the capital has to offer in just a few days.
Strasbourg, France
If you’re looking to visit somewhere late this year, this little city on the border of France and Germany is full of history and warmly lit pubs. As the capital of Christmas, visit in December to check out the fairytale markets and magical Christmas tree. If you have more time, visit the Black Forest or explore Alsace to see the gorgeous blend of European influence in the region.
Riga, Latvia
Riga is a good bet for the destination that’s set to go viral next, so head there this year to escape the bustle. While it’s beautiful at any point in the year, December is the perfect time to discover the Christmas markets while checking out the art nouveau architecture.
Reykjavík, Iceland
With a flight time of just over three hours, you can explore the dramatic landscape of Iceland’s capital in just a matter of days. And who knows? In December, maybe you’ll even catch a glimpse of the northern lights.
Manchester, England
If you’re looking for a city break without the faff of a flight, you can hop on a train and be in Manchester in a few hours. Full of history, culture, gorgeous architecture and your pick of things to do, November or December is a great time to go, when there’s a bit of a bite in the air and you can cosy up in one of the buzzy pubs around the city.
Edinburgh, Scotland
Edinburgh is an autumnal bucket list destination, and it’s easy to get there and back in a weekend. Head in November and catch the last of the autumn leaves falling off the trees against the backdrop of the city’s beautiful architecture, or book for December to see the Christmas lights.
Images: Dragonpass