Six alternative European city breaks I’ve loved
From pierogi to parmesan, here’s where I’d send you instead of Paris
Hi again!! First of all, a quick apology for the radio silence – after a full-on season of travel, weddings and hen-do’s (ah, summer!) I’ve finally had a chance to catch my breath. I'm really glad to be back at my desk with a few new stories to share, and planning a whole bumper run of Edinburgh posts in the lead-up to the city coming alive again for the festival in August (my favourite time of year!) - think food guides, show recommendations and MORE! Stay tuned.
But before we go all Fringe mad, I wanted to take a moment to reflect on some of the less obvious (I’ll resist using the term ‘hidden gem’ because all the cities in this list are, like, major places where people live and work – calling them hidden feels a bit icky, ya know?) European city breaks I’ve really enjoyed lately. If you’re looking for something a bit more low key for your Euro summer, this one’s for you.
Don't get me wrong – I love a classic weekend in Copenhagen or Amsterdam (and have written/posted about both!) – but there’s something extra rewarding about landing somewhere that feels a little less documented. Fewer queues, and no “is this just for Instagram?” moments. Just really good food, thoughtful shops, walkable neighbourhoods and a sense of place that feels all the more special for not being splashed across TikTok.
So here are a few places that stood out to me from my own travels:
Wrocław, Poland
I was sent here on a trip with the Edinburgh International Festival for the weekend and, unlike most of my travels, I wasn’t involved in the planning – I landed with a loose itinerary but mostly just followed my nose when it came to food. I was so pleasantly surprised by what I found. Rather than the stag-do-heavy, cheap beer destination I (naively) expected, I discovered a rich, proud culture that really came through in the restaurants I visited. Yes, there was borscht and pierogi on the menu, but often served in a more modern way – I loved Baba for this. I’m already planning a return trip next year, this time with a stint hiking in the southern mountains.
Manchester, UK
Manchester is a city I keep coming back to – it’s got that big-city energy (the kind we don’t have at all in little Edinburgh) without the London intensity, and always feels like something’s happening. On my most recent visit, the food really stood out: I loved the farm-to-table focus at Higher Ground, and had a solo dinner at the counter at Erst, which was one of those quietly perfect evenings – great wine, small plates, and just the right buzz. The city’s full of independent shops, brilliant neighbourhoods to wander, and that warm Northern spirit that makes you feel instantly welcome.
Tallinn, Estonia
I visit Tallinn every year to see my good friend KK and, honestly, I won’t shut up about it. I even wrote a full Substack guide to the city last year because I love it that much. The fairytale-like old town is stunning, but what really gets me is how it sits right alongside these cool, redeveloped districts full of local businesses, design studios, and excellent food. I’m heading back next week and can’t wait – although the direct flight from Edinburgh has been scrapped (rude), so we’re making a full Nordic trip of it: via Helsinki on the way there and Stockholm on the way back.
Bologna, Italy
Bologna was our favourite stop on a month-long north-to-south Italy trip a couple of years ago – it had that slower pace we were craving while still feeling like a proper city. Compared to Florence or Rome, it was noticeably quieter on the tourist front, which made it even easier to fall for. And then, of course, the food!! It genuinely feels like the heartland of what most people picture when they think of “true” Italian cuisine. I discovered a deep love for Lambrusco at Osteria del Sole, one of the oldest wine bars in the city (although it’s certainly not an unknown place, Stanley Tucci went there on his travel show!). Crossing our fingers we can make it back this autumn.
Antwerp, Belgium
Antwerp completely exceeded my expectations – the shopping was genuinely some of the best I’ve experienced in Europe, and the architecture is stunning, with grand old buildings sitting alongside cool, contemporary spaces. I’ve already shared a few of our food highlights over on Instagram, but after a little paywall break, paid subscribers get access to my pinned Google Map with everywhere we didn’t get round to (if I could’ve gone to a bakery for every meal, I absolutely would’ve). The map includes spots to eat, photo-friendly corners, independent shops and a few sights worth wandering past.
