Top 5 cultural city breaks

A cultural city break can be one of the most rewarding types of holiday you can have. Not only does a cultural city break allow you to witness first-hand the amazing history and architecture of some of the most historically important sites in the world, you can also immerse yourself in the contemporary social scene, sample local foods, as well as meet and mingle with the people who make the place what it is. In short, cultural city breaks really give you a sense of a city’s identity. Here are 5 of the most spectacular city breaks you can book.

 

The ‘Eternal City’, Rome is synonymous with culture. This has been a major global city for over 2000 years, and spawned an empire which altered European (and consequently world) history for ever. A cheap city break based around culture in Rome could take in famous sights such as the Pantheon, the Colosseum, the Trevi Fountain, the Vatican, the Sistine Chapel, and hundreds of other fascinating cultural sites. As well as sightseeing, Rome boasts some of the best restaurants in the world, serving authentic Italian dishes, as well as superb shopping.

 

A world apart from classical European cities such as Paris and Rome, New York has a vibrancy and culture that is both unique and enthralling. Yellow cabs, looming skyscrapers, the hustle and bustle of Times Square, fantastic shopping… New York culture is modern and vibrant. Cultural attractions here include the Statue of Liberty, the Museum of Modern Art, the Empire State building and Central Park. With cultures from all over the globe making up New York’s population, the city is a melting pot of different languages, food and customs and makes for a thrilling city break in the USA. 

 

The ‘city of love’, Paris makes a fantastic trip for couples looking for a romantic city break. Not only this, but the city is one of the oldest, best known metropolises in the world, and has a wealth of history and culture to explore. Famous cultural sites here include the Louvre, the Eifel Tower, Arc de Triomphe, Champs-Elysées, Notre Dame Cathedral, Sacré-Coeur… culture-vultures will be spoilt for choice in this picturesque city. Everybody should take a city break to Paris at least once in their lives.

 

For a completely different cultural city break experience, book a short break to Berlin. Berlin is unlike many of the famous city break destinations in Europe, in that it doesn’t really have the ancient architecture or picturesque visage of capitals like Paris or Rome. Severely bombed during WWII and divided during the Soviet era, Berlin feels like a new city trying to find its identity. It has a youthful, vibrant feel and a fantastic alternative counter-culture that can be seen in the many quirky bars and cafes around the city, as well as the amazing street art that adorns much of the concrete of the buildings.

 

For an exotic city break exploring a culture very different from those found in the West, why not book a relaxing break to Cairo. Cairo has a vast history stretching back hundreds of years, and boasts many world-famous iconic sites to visit, including the Pyramids at Giza, the Sphinx, the City of the Dead and Khan Al-Khalili. Cultural city breaks in Cairo really give you the opportunity (if you are of Western origin) to experience a completely different way of life, as well as new, fascinating customs and traditions.