BY LAZAR JOVIĆ
YOURPACE STUDENT STAFF WRITER
PRESQUE ISLE, Maine—Planning a holiday can be stressful. And since it doesn’t come cheap, you’ll do everything to make it perfect.
Today’s work environment has virtually made long holidays impossible for most people. You might have seen in movies or read in books from the late 19th century or the early 20th people spending weeks, even months, exploring the Swiss Alps or cruising down the Nile in Egypt.
Short trips are far more prevalent and possible today. One kind of trip is the so-called “city break.” It usually refers to spending a few days in a major city but visiting smaller places is a city break. It is the opposite of nature trips.
“City breaks are great since you can see a lot in just a day or two,” said Christina Colic, 21. “If you’re a student like me, it won’t cost you a fortune.”
If you’re going to spend such a short time away from work or daily stress, you want to make it perfect. Here are five tips for an ideal city break.
1. Make a plan, but stay flexible
Planning is vital to a successful city-break trip. Extra research beyond the must-see attractions, such as which local dishes to try and hidden gems off the beaten path to visit, will pay off. Make a rough itinerary for every day, but don’t overpack your schedule.
“I always try to make one afternoon completely free if something unexpected comes up,” said Valentina Ivosevic, 57, a seasoned traveler.
Flexibility allows you to adapt to changing circumstances, whether stumbling upon a charming cafe or extending your visit to a museum.
2. Choose accommodation wisely
Accommodation is often the most expensive item when planning a city break. Consider visiting the city outside the season. “Once, I saved over 100 euros ($120) by visiting a city in early October instead of September,” Valentina said.
If visiting the United Kingdom, schedule your trip for March, September, or early October. According to data from Airbnb, that is when the accommodation on that platform in the United Kingdom is the cheapest. These months might be the cheapest ones for some destinations. Do a bit of research on the city you plan to visit.
3. Try local cuisine
Local here means the authentic local. Avoid the food chains you have in your city. Restaurants are often expensive. Try a local supermarket, or, even better, a local grocery shop.
“I’ve discovered that markets or small stores away from the tourist spots offer great products at a low price,” said Valentina. “You can even learn a lot about the place during your visit to the market,” Valentina suggests. See where the locals shop, buy the fast food you see them eat, and plan on leaving the central spots a bit to find hidden gastronomic gems.
4. Explore on foot or use public transport
Cities are best explored on foot or using public transportation. Lace up your walking shoes and soak in the sights, sounds, and smells of the city. “Walking does mean you’ll spend more time going from point A to B,” says Valentina, who rarely uses any transportation during her travels, “but with a good plan, you’ll see much more.”
If you have to use public transport, see if there is something like a city pass or a transportation card for discounted fares and unlimited rides.
Reykjavík, the world’s northernmost capital of a sovereign state, ranked first in The Serene City Index by MoneySuperMarket (Photo Credit: VisitIceland)
5. Pack lightly
Packing lightly is essential for a hassle-free city break trip. A backpack is all you need. “I used to carry the backpack and the suitcase,” Valentina noted “Now I carry just the backpack.”
Less stuff you carry can save you stress from making sure you don’t forget anything when you pack for the return and even money for the plane ticket.
Many low-cost companies offer very cheap flights, but fees for any luggage in addition to a carry-on can be very high.
JetBlue fees start from $65 for the first and second additional pieces of luggage and $180 for the third one. Any additional luggage would cost you at least £6.99 ($9) if you choose EasyJet. However, a closer look at the luggage fees on their website shows it will almost certainly cost you much more.
“I once traveled from Belgrade, Serbia, to Larnaca, Cyprus, and back for just 18 euros ($22),” she added. “Of course, that’s the price since I carried just a backpack. A suitcase cost an additional 60 euros ($70).” Don’t give up on simplifying your backpack – it quickly pays off!
These five tips will help you make the most of your time and money. So pack your bags, set out on your urban adventure, and enjoy your next city break!
