It’s a familiar story – you spy great prices on a city break with a low cost airline and are faced with the luggage dilemma. To add or not to add? If you choose to fork out around £40 for luggage, your cash reserves for enjoying yourself whilst you’re away will be depleted, but you won’t have to worry about any wardrobe problems. Well we’re here to convince you to do away with unnecessary luggage and then to spoil yourself with the savings!
And what of the wardrobe problems we hear you cry! You need to get yourself co-ordinated with a capsule wardrobe. This should include something like a comfortable pair of smartish trousers, a pair of informal trousers, versatile dress or a skirt, a shirt, a t-shirt, a light jumper and something warmer, plus accessories (and possibly a pair of posh shoes) – obviously you will wear some of this for the flight. They will all match and the accessories will be able to turn outfits from day to night. This will see you through a two-to-three day break no problem!
So to the treats… Here are some things we like the look of, but let your imagination (if not your budget) run wild!
Paris
Mid-range seats at the stunning Palais Garnier to see opera or ballet start from €25, which fits nicely inside the luggage budget. You will find a constantly-changing programme of some of the best performers in the world, and will definitely need to find space for the posh shoes if you’re doing this in Paris!
Rome
Boasting a view of the Pantheon, my favourite building in Rome, the rooftop terrace of the Grand Hotel della Minerva is certainly a winner. It serves all manner of cocktails – trying one of their mojitos is a must, although not cheap at just under €20 a pop. Watching the sun set with cocktail in hand, listening to the piano player you’ll know this is better than luggage!
Prague
The best way to tour the stunning Clementinun in the Old Town in Prague is by booking tickets to one of the classical music concerts held in the astonishing Mirror Chapel. Sightseeing beforehand is included in the price, which varies by event but is around £30 per ticket. Highlights include the two 18th century organs, one of which was played by Mozart himself!
Berlin
The Germans sure know their meat – every German person I know would rather go hungry than eat a meal without it! Enjoy the best of the best in the Grill Royal, the place to see and be seen when it comes to dining in Berlin. Steaks are upwards of €20 plus sauces, sides and drinks.
Vienna
Café Sacher at the Hotel Sacher in Vienna invented the Sacher Torte in 1832 and this café has been a hotbed of delicious treats ever since. It’s best to book if you don’t want to queue, or you can expect up to an hour wait most days! Prices are pretty reasonable in this expensive city, expect to pay around €15 for a slice of the famous torte plus a drink.
Barcelona
Enjoy one of the best flamenco shows in Spain at the El Tablao de Carmen in the Poble Espanyol. 75 minutes of incredible dancing and music can be accompanied by a drink for €39, or a tapas menu with wine or sangria for €49, which seems like a great way to spend that luggage budget in Barcelona!
Budapest
Budapest is not just a pretty city, it’s also got another talent – its thermal spas! There are many to choose from but the loveliest of all is the Gellert Baths, where you can enjoy the facilities such as the effervescent baths and the outdoor thermal pools – stay all day with prices from around £15. Massages and other treatments start from about the same again.
Lisbon
If there’s only one thing you do in Lisbon with your spare cash, then you should buy at least a dozen of the crispy, custard-filled pastéis de belém at the Antiga Confeitaria de Belém. Enjoy the beautiful surroundings in this bakery, which has been making these treats to a secret recipe since 1837. These delicious morsels are under €1 each, but trust us, you could really blow the budget with repeat visits!
