Short city breaks

Whilst there are those who love nothing more on holiday than to hit the beach, relax and soak up the sun for a fortnight, some prefer the chance to experience a foreign city and see iconic sights and immerse themselves in a different culture. Whatever appeals, whether it is art, history or just sampling life from a different perspective, a city break is an ideal way to shake things up and have an enjoyable holiday. 

There are certain cities which really lend themselves to a short break such as Paris, where visitors can enjoy the truly majestic sights of the Eiffel Tower, the Arc de Triomphe, the Louvre and the Pompidou Centre. With culture bursting out at every turn, you certainly won't be short of ways to expand your mind and your knowledge of some of the most famous art and architecture in the world. If you get tired of soaking up the sights, then you can retire to a café for coffee and pastries and in the evenings you can patronise one of the many restaurants serving up gourmet cuisine accompanied by delicious wine. 

For those who like to go big, there is nowhere quite like the Big Apple itself and a short break to New York can be a whirlwind of excitement and activity. You can relish visits to landmarks such as the Statue of Liberty and the Empire State Building from which you can savour incredible aerial views of the city that never sleeps. For those who enjoy retail therapy, there are shops which have international reputations to tempt you with their wares, such as Barneys, Macys, Bloomingdales and Saks which all offer shoppers an unparalleled choice of fashion and couture. 

For an historic expedition with a chance to enjoy a completely different pace of life, many travellers find Amsterdam a truly eye opening experience. Built around a network of canals, you can explore the city from the water, marvel at the beautiful architecture borne out of the need to build up rather than out and visit some of the many museums and art galleries on your way. The Anne Frank House offers visitors an insight into the life endured by one of the world's most famous diarists, whilst the flower market harks back to the Netherlands' days as the tulip capital of the world and provides visitors with a splash of colour rarely seen in a city centre. 

Whichever city you choose to visit, there are some basic safety precautions which are important to remember such as keeping your valuables out of sight and being sensible about where you choose to consult your map. Having an appropriate insurance policy in place is also vital as you never know when you might come up against unforeseen circumstances that can be costly if you have to cover the bill yourself.