Part of the joy of a great city break is the chance it gives you to look at beautiful buildings, and thereby gain a new insight into the people and cultures that gave rise to them. Few of us, after all, want to book a holiday in an ugly city.
The good news is that you don’t need much time off in order to experience a visually stunning city. In many cases, the beauty will speak for itself from the minute you arrive. Let’s look at a few amazing cases in point.
Barcelona, Spain
If you’re travelling to Barcelona, then the chances are that you’ll encounter the work of the city’s most famous architect and designer, Antoni Gaudí. His influence can be felt throughout the city, endowing it with a unique sense of identity that’s palpable in every brick and stone.
Aside from the world’s tallest church, the Sagrada Familia, there’s the shopping district of Passeig de Gràcia, where you can see the Casa Batlló and Casa Milà. Booking last minute holidays to this stunning part of the world might allow you to become familiar with Catalan architecture in next to no time.
Rome, Italy
Perhaps more than any other city in Europe, Rome has witnessed its share of history. You can move from wonders of the ancient world, like the Roman Forum and Colosseum, to more recent additions like the Vatican City. You can also traverse large parts of the city on foot, and get a flavour not just of the major landmarks, but of how the city looks and feels on its own.
Amsterdam, Netherlands
In much the same way, you can easily get around the middle of Amsterdam on foot – or, you can travel like a local, and rent a bicycle. There’s an arrangement of concentric canal rings, each of which is lined with town houses and leaning garbles. If you want to appreciate every detail, however, it’s best to see them from the water, via a brief canal-boat cruise.
Prague, Czech Republic
The skyline of the Czech capital is quintessentially Gothic, with ornate spires and other flourishes abutting as far as the eye can see. You might take a walk across the Charles Bridge, and look at the sandstone statues, blackened by sulphur since their installation in the Baroque period. Travel to the Old Town, with its amazing clock tower and cobblestones, and you’ll be transported into an almost magical, fairytale world.
Vienna, Austria
When the House of Habsburg built its capital, it was looking to astound the world with a visage of imperial might. And much of the evidence of this effort still remains. A tour around the Ringstraße will acquaint you with major, amazing landmarks like the Parliament, the Opera House, and countless museums.