LOTUS EATERS TRAVEL

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A RECIPE FOR A PERFECT CITY BREAK: HOW TO AVOID GOING HOME EXHAUSTED & ENJOY EVERY MOMENT.

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City breaks offer a tantalizing blend of culture, history, and excitement, making them an ideal option for a quick getaway. But as exhilarating as they can be, city breaks also come with the risk of overdoing it if you’re not careful. You know how it can be, you return to work more tired than you were before you jetted off on “vacation”.

Here’s how to craft the perfect city break recipe while ensuring you savor every moment without feeling overwhelmed and ending your break exhausted.

Ingredients for a perfect city break

Before you head out on your city break, here’s a few tips to think about in preperation.

Careful planning

Start by selecting a city that resonates with your interests and preferences. Whether you’re drawn to art, architecture, cuisine, or nightlife, choose a destination that offers the experiences you crave.

Choosing a smaller city if you have a short break only, can also be wise. For example, instead of Istanbul – why not pick Antalya. It still has the fun vibes, the markets, but is far less hectic. Or, go for somwehere a bit more offbeat and less travelled – skip crowded Berlin, and head to Belgrade instead.

Balanced itinerary

While it’s tempting to cram as many activities as possible into your itinerary, remember that quality often trumps quantity. Prioritize your must-see attractions and leave room for spontaneous discoveries along the way.

We’ve learnt this the hard way and now our city breaks have a heavy emphasis on “less is more.”

Check out our City Guide for Lisbon, which explains how you can have a leisurely (and not hectic) three days exploring the city.

Comfortable Accommodation

A cozy and conveniently located hotel or Airbnb can make all the difference in ensuring you have a restful retreat after a day of exploration.

If you’re on a budget, a hostel might be the best solution. Hostels have improved so much in recent years and now we would often choose hostels, to get the best locations and comfortable communal facilities.

Check out our list of the best hostels with amazing roof terraces in Europe and the best luxury hostels here – it might surprise you.

Location, Location, Location

Comfort is important, but by far, the highest priority for choosing accommodation during a short city break should be the location. Paying a little more, or sacrificing a bit of space, to get a great location.

Remember, the best location isn’t always the center. We recently visited Buenos Aires and chose to stay in Palermo, a district to the north of the city. It had a much more laid back and self-contained feel to it, like being in Greenwich Village in New York or Hackney in London. Personally, we would prefer to stay away from the centre when we visit a large city, sacrificing ease of access to the main tourist attractions for relaxed nightlife and chilled out coffee shops.

Healthy Habits

Don’t let your wellness routine slip just because you’re on vacation. Stay hydrated, eat nourishing meals, and carve out time for exercise or relaxation to keep your energy levels up. This might be just walking as you explore the city. Personally, I always love to take a yoga class in a new city, even if I’m just there for a few days – a great way to see a different side to the city.

Mindful Moments

Take time to pause and appreciate the beauty around you. Whether it’s savoring a cup of coffee at a sidewalk cafe or watching the sunset from a scenic viewpoint, these mindful moments can be the highlight of your trip. The tourist attractions are not always where the best bits happen!

Comfortable shoes

Let’s not forget the most crucial ingredient of all – comfortable shoes. Trust me, nothing kills the vibe faster than a pair of blister-inducing heels or pinchy dress shoes. Opt for footwear that can handle a day of pounding the pavement without leaving your feet begging for mercy.

Here’s a selection of fantastic city friendly shoes for women.

Instructions for a perfect city break

Here are some tips for easing yourself in and enjoying your experience once you arrive in your destination.

Set realistic expectations for your day

Recognize that you can’t see and do everything in a single city break – especially if you’ve visiting a large city. Instead of trying to tick off every item on your bucket list, focus on a few key experiences that resonate with you. This might mean exploring just one or two districts of the city, rather than every corner.

Priortize Rest and Recovery

Allocate time in your itinerary for rest breaks and downtime. Whether it’s a leisurely brunch or an afternoon siesta, these moments of relaxation are essential for recharging your batteries. Plus, if the whole city is enjoying a siesta you won’t miss anything!

Embrace Slow Travel

Resist the urge to rush from one attraction to the next. Instead, embrace the concept of slow travel by immersing yourself in the local culture, savoring the flavors of the cuisine, or doing something different.

This might be learning something new, like making macarons in Paris or learning to bake Pastel de Natas in Porto. We also love food taking food tours during city breaks, like this one in Rome,- the perfect way to get to know a local guide and hit up food spots that you may otherwise not find.

Practic Mindful Sightseeing

As travel bloggers, we spend a lot of time taking photos. But instead of simply snapping photos we also try to take time to truly engage with our surroundings. Notice the architectural details, soak in the ambiance of bustling street markets, and strike up conversations with random people. Studies show that talking to strangers more also makes us happier!

Make room for spontaneity

Leave room in your itinerary for spontaneity. While it’s great to have a rough plan, some of the most memorable moments happen when you least expect them. So be open to serendipitous encounters, whether it’s stumbling upon a live music performance in the park or stumbling into a quirky neighborhood festival.

One of our favourite websites is Sofar Sounds – on this site you can often get last minute tickets for gigs in cities across the world. The most intersting bit? These are intimate gigs with secret performers – sometimes they’re well known stars, othertimes they are up and coming bands. But whatever happens, you’ll have fun.

Lotus Eaters Travel City Guides

Written by Emma

Wine Lover. Yogi. Hiker. Writer.

British travel writer and long-distance hiker, native to Kent. Emma has walked the Camino de Santiago more than ten times, completed trails across Europe from the Corfu Trail to the Fisherman’s Trail, and covered thousands of kilometres on foot. She always writes from first-hand experience. Her goal? Inspire just one person to go on their first long-distance hike.

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Most of our planning is done using other blogs, but you can’t beat a guide book at the bottom of your case. Find yours on here and get the travelling started!

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