Filed under: European Travel
When it comes to planning a short break deciding where to go can be one of the most stressful times and can be the cause of many arguments. Here at Superbreak we love planning your getaways and have created a very special top five list of yours (and our) favorite locations from 2011 to help you decide where you will go on your next adventure.
1. London
If you are planning a trip in 2012 London should certainly be on top of your list! Year after year London continues to be one of the most popular destinations and with a fantastic variety of attractions, theatre shows and a wide range of London Hotels it’s easy to see why. The Queens Jubilee Celebrations and the Olympics are going to highlight to the rest of the world just what a fabulous city this is! 
2. Edinburgh
If you haven’t visited Edinburgh before you are missing out on one of the most beautiful parts of Scotland. Edinburgh is a hub of activity all year long with some of the most incredible events, including the renowned Edinburgh Tattoo which attracts thousands of visitors and some of the darkest history, brought to life in many of the museums. If you are planning on seeing this city make sure to stop by the Edinburgh Dungeons…if you dare!
3. York
Coming from York it’s fair to say we love this city and it’s clear to see that you do as well! What’s not to love? Whether you want to learn more about the incredible history or want to spend the day exploring the boutique shops there really is something for everyone. Don’t forget; if you are coming to York be sure to wave as you pass Superbreak HQ.
4. Paris
In 2011 Paris proved to be our most popular overseas destination and since the introduction of our Eurostar breaks you could be enjoying the city in a matter of hours. If spending the day taking in incredible sights including Eiffel Tower, Notre-Dame and Sacre Coeur or spoiling yourself with a purchase from the many designer stores or shopping malls sounds good to you, then you will love Paris.
5. Manchester
Manchester is well known for its sport, shopping, attractions and nightlife which is why it is number 5 on your favourite destinations list. You can shop ‘til you drop at the Trafford Centre, spend a day with the family at the Legoland Discovery Centre or tour the Manchester United Museum, one of the world’s most famous football clubs. Whatever you want from a short break you can be guaranteed that Manchester has it all.
In 2011 you all loved these cities, where will make your top 5 list in 2012?
February 11, 2012
Posted by Kirstie
As Valentine’s Day is just around the corner we’ve put together our selection of 5 top romantic cities in Europe to help you plan your perfect getaway with your loved one. Whether you enjoy taking romantic strolls through the city or prefer to explore by boat or horse-drawn carriage, these European cities are full of history and character that will leave you with long lasting memories of your escape together.
1. Bruges, Belgium
The capital city of Bruges in Belgium is one of the most romantic and beautiful cities in the world. With perfectly preserved medieval houses at the heart of the city’s network of canals, the waterways are an excellent way to discover the hidden beauty of Bruges. Many of our hotels in Bruges are close to the city’s iconic landmarks including the 13th century belfry in the main market square which visitors can climb to get a fantastic bird’s eye view of the city. Treat your loved one to the fantastic Belgian chocolates sold in many of the charming boutiques and try the famous Belgian beers at one of the local bars. Getting there couldn’t be easier as we’ve got a great range of Mini Cruise Breaks to Bruges on offer, making a romantic escape to this beautiful Belgian city accessible and affordable.
Romantic Tip: Take the weight off your feet and enjoy a horse-drawn carriage ride through the city.
2. Paris, France
Rich in famous landmarks, from the Eiffel Tower to the Arc de Triomphe, Paris is well known for being a top destination for romantic breaks and as the French capital is brimming with fancy restaurants, elegant boulevards and stunning architecture it’s easy to see why. Take your loved one on a tour of the city’s many galleries and be wowed by some of the world’s best masterpieces before relaxing in one of our luxury Paris hotels. Sunny afternoons can be spent strolling along the banks of the Seine and exploring the beautiful sculptures in the Tuileries Garden. If you fancy a romantic trip to the French capital check out our great selection of Paris Eurostar Breaks that make escaping to the continent easier than you think.
Romantic Tip: Climb the steps on the Rue Foyatier in Montmartre for a fantastic view of the city.
3. Venice, Italy
Known as ‘The Floating City’, Venice is a truly unique and beautiful destination perfect for a romantic getaway. Laced with canals, the whole city is built around the curving Grand Canal and is connected to the north eastern coast of Italy by a single road bridge known as the Ponte della Libertà. The city of Venice is full of historic buildings, galleries and museums as well as grand cathedrals replete with breathtaking artworks from the grand masters. The most famous of the city’s churches is the striking St Mark’s Basilica at the eastern end of the Piazza San Marco. The square is home to the iconic bell tower, or Campanile, which visitors can climb to get a panoramic view of the city below. If you’re inspired to visit the ‘pearl of the Adriatic’, take a look at our fantastic range of hotels in Venice.
Romantic Tip: To ‘guarantee’ eternal love, take a gondola trip under the Bridge of Sighs.
4. Barcelona, Spain
This vibrant and colourful city is the second largest in Spain and is always a popular destination for those looking for a romantic getaway. Couples escaping to the Spanish favourite can enjoy a stroll hand in hand down the famous La Rambla and soak up the Mediterranean sunshine before relaxing on the gorgeous sandy beaches. Be sure to discover the awe-inspiring architecture of Gaudi at the Parc Güell gardens and at the iconic Sagrada Familia. Make the most of the local delicacies and sample a tapas platter at one of the many cafes and bistros. After a long day of exploring this Spanish city, retreat to one of our superb Barcelona hotels before indulging in the lively nightlife.
Romantic Tip: Head to the Avenida Maria Cristina to see the Magic Fountain of Montjuic lit up at night.
5. Reykjavik, Iceland
Escape to Reykjavik, the northernmost capital city in the world, to discover the breathtaking scenery of the surrounding mountains and oceans. Brave the cold together and wrap up warm as you take a wander round the cities colourful buildings. For a day out to remember, take a tour around the Golden Circle and enjoy the stunning sites of jetting geysers at Geysir, and glacial waterfalls at Gullfoss. Excursion tickets to these fantastic destinations and more can be added to your stay when booking any of our Reykjavik hotels. Spend a magical evening together by taking a Northern Lights Tour to try and catch a glimpse of the sublime Aurora Borealis. We’ve got an excellent choice of hotels in Reykjavik to choose from if you’re inspired to visit this wintry city in Iceland.
Romantic Tip: Get steamed up by taking a dip in the thermal pools at the Blue Lagoon.
We hope our pick of these ultimate romantic destinations have inspired you to take a trip with your loved one. Fingers crossed someone will whisk us away soon! Which of these cities would you like to visit?
February 8, 2012
2012 is a huge year for England as we prepare for the arrival of the Olympic Games and celebrate the Queens Diamond Jubilee. London is going to be a busy hub of activity and while many people are planning on heading to the capital to make the most of these incredible events, some are opting to explore other parts of the region and escape from it all.
Up and down the UK people are already adding the final touches to their Queens Jubilee celebrations; many are planning street parties while others are preparing for their trip to London. London hotels for the Jubilee weekend have also seen a huge early booking increase as visitors from all over the world are heading over to join in this huge day.
If you are looking to make the most out of the extended bank holiday weekend then a short break or a getaway is perfect and you don’t have to face the London crowds to celebrate the Jubilee. The Royals are well known for frequenting many beauty spots in the UK including Sandringham, the Palace of Holyroodhouse and Balmoral and with many hotels surrounding these beautiful locations you could soon be enjoying a break like royalty.
For many people the Jubilee brings back memories of last year’s Royal Wedding, when the UK went crazy and communities joined together to celebrate a truly historic day. In the run up to the Royal Wedding it was thought that many Brits were taking advantage of the long weekend and deciding to jet off to warmer climates and simply watch the event unfold from the comfort of their sun lounges and with the June extended weekend
If you still haven’t decided on how you want to spend the weekend make sure you check out our Queen’s Jubilee breaks with ideas for people who want to celebrate and those who don’t!
January 11, 2012
Following on from the launch of Superbreak’s fantastic range of Eurostar breaks including breaks to Paris, Bruges, Lille and more, some of the Superbreak sales team will take part in a gripping race from Superbreak Towers in York to the Eiffel Tower in Paris.
The race which will take place in late February 2012 sees two journalists from the Travel Trade Gazette join members of the Superbreak sales team and two travel agents in a Top Gear style challenge. The challenge will see train take on plane in a battle of air vs. rail as the teams travel across the English Channel in a race to the Eiffel Tower. The teams will meet at a bar at the Eiffel Tower with the first ones who get there winning the race. Details of the race are still being finalised but Superbreak will be providing the hotels in Paris, transportation and food.
Eurostar breaks are a great way to see Europe with quick and easy transportation across the Channel into Paris. From Paris there are superb connections to the rest of Europe with short breaks across France, Belgium, Germany and Holland.
Which mode of transport do you think will win the race? Will the lead come from those travelling via air or from the team hopping on the Eurostar at London St Pancras?
January 4, 2012
As we get ready to welcome in 2012 may of us are working out what we can change in the New Year, whether it’s the old cliché of going to the gym, giving up a vice or simply seeing more of your family everyone likes to clean the slate and start New Year afresh.
2012 promises to be an exciting year from the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee to the 2012 Olympic Games there is plenty going on. Why not make your 2012 one to remember with some of Superbreak’s top resolutions.
Travel More
From exploring the British Isles to taking the trip of a lifetime the world is full of new places to discover. See the fantastic cities of Europe on a Eurostar break, climb to the top of the Empire State Building in New York, tour the Sydney Opera House or simply relax on the beautiful beaches of the Canary Islands. If you don’t want to travel far then there are plenty of cities and towns to explore throughout the UK, from the picturesque scenes of the Cotswolds to the bustling streets of Birmingham or Manchester and the stunning coastlines of Cornwall and Devon.
See a West End Musical
There’s nothing quiet like seeing a top musical in the heart of the West End, whether after drama, comedy or family entertainment there is a theatre break to suit you. New for 2012 London welcomes Sweeny Todd with Michael Ball and Singin’ in the Rain, while many of the top shows are now touring across the county you can see Sister Act in Cardiff, Phantom of the Opera in Manchester and Dirty Dancing in Birmingham. For serious drama there is a fantastic array of Shakespeare plays and adaptations as part of the World Shakespeare festival.
Go on Safari
A great suggestion for all animal lovers but if you can’t afford a trip to Africa then why not head to one of the UK’s wildlife parks. Paradise Wildlife Park in Hertfordshire is home to a huge selection of animals from big cats to monkeys, penguins, reptiles and more. The park even offers special experiences where you can get up close and personal with the animals and Feed the big Cats or have Tea with the Tigers.
Have Fun
Across the world there are a superb range of attractions and themeparks to suit all tastes, from historic castles, stately homes and gardens and world class museums to adrenalin fuelled rides, aquariums and sightseeing tours there is something for everyone to enjoy. This year get out and about and explore what’s all around you.
What New Years resolutions will you be making?
December 30, 2011
With Christmas behind us and New Year creeping closer people all over the world are getting ready to welcome in 2012. Whether planning a family celebration, a night out with friends or taking part in some of the huge celebrations there is plenty going on.
Famed for its Hogmanay Edinburgh is a fantastic destination for a New Year break. Running for three days from the 30 December 2011 to the 1 January 2012 the Hogmanay takes over the streets of Edinburgh. With music, dance, cinema and fireworks there are plenty of opportunities to celebrate. This year the Hogmanay features live music from a fantastic array of bands including Primal Scream, Mark Ronson, Friendly Fires and Bombay Bicycle Club. With hotels in Edinburgh booking up fast this is a hugely popular way to see in the New Year, with visitors from all over the world travelling to Edinburgh to join in the festivities.
London’s midnight fireworks over the Thames attract hundreds of thousands of visitors every year. Last year over 250,000 people gathered to see the amazing fireworks and welcome in the New Year. If you are planning a London break for New Year then make sure you arrive at the viewing platforms early as they fill up hours before the display stars. The London New Year celebration also includes a DJ set from Radio 1 DJ Nihal from 10pm and the infamous sound of Big Ben ringing through the New Year.
Around the world there will be celebrations taking place from the millions of people who will gather at New York’s Times Square to fireworks over the iconic Sydney harbour New Year is a fantastic time to discover the world.
Where will you be this New Year? Where’s the best place you have spent New Year?
December 29, 2011
Whether enjoying a meal in your local pub or dining out at a Michelin starred restaurant we all love enjoying the experience of eating out. From Spanish Tapas to superbly flavoured Thai food or a simple pasta dish there are plenty of fantastic restaurants to suit all tastes. The 2011 list of best fifty restaurants in the world includes establishments across the UK, Europe, Australasia and the Americas so to get the best you may have to take a short break away.
At the top of the list is the Norwegian restaurant Noma, set in the heart of Copenhagen Noma embraces the Norwegian tradition of sharing food. Using local produce and traditional cooking methods the chefs at Noma create original dishes by adding innovative twists onto customary recipes. Serving elaborate 7 course meals from crab and caramelized sweetbreads to dill and cabbages and Gammel dansk and wood sorrel Noma combines it’s Nordic heritage with fine craftsmanship.
The second and third restaurants, El Celler de Can Roca and Mugaritz, in the top 50 are both in Spain, while the first UK restaurant appears fifth. Heston Blumenthal’s world-famous Fat Duck is set in the small village of Bray in Berkshire and serves an imaginative menu to tantalise the taste buds. This exciting restaurant won the Best Restaurant in the world in 2005 and has been awarded three Michelin stars.
Other restaurants on the list include Le Chateaubriand in France, with its five course fixed price menu, Thomas Keller’s Per Se in New York and Les Creations de Narisawa the first Japanese restaurant to make this list.
Will you be trying any of the top 50 restaurants? What’s your favourite food to dine out on?
December 22, 2011
While the cold snowy winter of 2010 is now a distant memory, we are still waiting to see a good dusting of the white stuff in 2011. Snow is one side of winter that we all love to see, giving us the perfect opportunity to make snowmen, slide down incredibly steep hills and throw ourselves on the floor to make snow angels. Many people opt to seek out snow for their winter breaks and head off to the snowy Alps in Austria or Italy for a few days of adrenaline filled fun!
Skiing is now one of the most popular choices for a holiday and its thought that more people are taking a second short break abroad in the winter and are heading to popular skiing destinations in Europe and beyond.
If you are looking for somewhere with one of the biggest vertical drops then Stowe in Vermont is perfect! Stowe is complete with traditional New England charm and with two ski areas it’s ideal for skiing thrill seekers. France also holds some of the most incredible ski slopes and was the host of the world’s first Winter Olympic Games in 1924, Chamonix-Mont-Blanc is among the elite contenders for the title of “World’s Most Famous Ski Resort.” With an incredible run at a massive 13.7 miles the Chamonix-Mont-Blanc is an attraction in its own right and a must for skiing enthusiasts. But if you are looking for a huge drop, towering mountains and fantastic shopping and restaurants then a visit to Whistler Blackcomb, British Columbia is a must. Snowboarding and skiers love these slopes and it has been constantly voted as “Best North American Ski Resort”.
Where are your favourite skiing destinations?
December 21, 2011
Steven Spielberg’s new film Adventures of Tintin: The Secret of the Unicorn hits the cinemas this week and brings the young reporter to the big screen. Created by Belgian artist Georges Rémi, using the name Hergé, Tintin has been a hugely popular character around the world since he first appeared in 1929, the Tintin stories have been published in more than 80 languages and over 350 million copies of the books have been sold to date.
Whether a fan of the adventure stories, a collector of memorabilia or discovering Tintin, Snowy and Captain Haddock for the first time a short break in Belgium is a fantastic way to discover more about this fiery young adventurer. Travelling into Brussels on a Eurostar break you will arrive into Tintin’s home town at the Brussels Midi station where you will be welcomed by a giant mural of Tintin just outside the station. Brussels is brimming with Tintin artefacts and reference points, enjoy a walk through the city and discover some of the sights and landscapes so familiar to Tintin as well as the rich variety of Tintin murals dotted throughout the city.
With a great range of Brussels hotels to choose from you are never far from Tintin. From the renowned Tintin shop to the celebrated Hergé Museum on the outskirts of Brussels there is plenty for the Tintin fan to explore.
Have you been to Brussels? What is your favourite Tintin memory?
October 28, 2011
With October nearly upon us, our thoughts are turning to the end of the month and the chilling prospects that Halloween brings. Celebrated for hundreds of years Halloween is one of the world’s most popular holidays, second only to Christmas. Whether you are planning a fancy dress party, masked ball or simply getting away on a Halloween break there is plenty of Halloween related events and destinations to choose from.
From fantastic locations shrouded in the mythology of Halloween to festivals celebrating the dead and astounding sights across the world now is the perfect time to get away and discover these fascinating things. Synonymous with Halloween are the creatures of the night from film and literature, from Frankenstein and werewolves to the famed Dracula our imagination is brimming with these monsters and what they are capable of. During Halloween why not delve deeper into the myth of Dracula and visit the stunning Bran Castle in Romania, home to Vlad the Imapler who inspired some of this great story. Alternatively enjoy an overnight stay at one of the hotels in Whitby and explore this beautiful seaside town, with the Dracula Experience attraction, Gothic Abbey and 199 stone steps to climb it is ideal for lovers of the unknown.
To find out about the terrible persecution of witches in the 17th Century then you can plan a short break to Salem, Massachusetts, where you can join in the 30th Annual Salem Haunted Happenings. Running throughout October this festival is host to a superb array of Halloween activities, from theatrical productions and visits to the Witches cottage to haunted cruises and ghost tours.
If you are planning on staying closer to home then there are plenty of ghost tours and haunted properties throughout the UK. Those on Edinburgh breaks can feel the spine tingling chill of walking through Mary King’s Close, while those planning breaks to York or Chester will be staying in one of the country’s most haunted cities.
What will you be up to this Halloween, have you ever stayed in a haunted house?
September 30, 2011
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