I absolutely love city breaks. Giving you the chance to immerse yourself in the local culture, they are also usually the best choice for nightlife, cuisine and shopping. What’s not to like? For me, the way to get the most from a city stay is by booking into an all inclusive hotel – here’s why.
Why go all inclusive?
At first, recommending you stay in an all inclusive hotel might sound like a slightly odd tip – after all, your accommodation rental can’t make that much difference to your trip, can it? Well, actually it can – and in more ways than one.
The first is in terms of your budget. Most cities will offer a range of cheap all inclusive hotels, which is good news if you’re not feeling too flush. While you will, of course, need to read the fine print to check what your particular package offers, generally all inclusive deals will factor your meals and drinks into the price.
This is a big part of how they can save you money on any kind of holiday, but is particularly important on city breaks, where food and drink in the local restaurants is bound to be pricey.
But it’s not only your wallet that this kind of establishment is good for. You see, since all inclusive hotels take care of everything for you, you generally have more time. This can then be used to see as much of the destination as possible before heading home.
Great destinations for all inclusive city breaks
Now, let’s take a quick look at some of the best places to head to for all inclusive city breaks.
Milan
Milan is a city of art and fashion, so getting a taste of both is pretty much a must. In terms of art, the ultimate work to see is Leonardo da Vinci’s The Last Supper.
World-famous, this painting depicts Jesus’s last meal before the crucifixion, and is considered to be one of the very best works of the Renaissance. You should book tickets to see it in advance to avoid disappointment.
In terms of fashion, you should definitely hit the designer stores that fill the city centre. But don’t worry, you don’t necessarily have to pay premium prices, because Milan is actually home to a fair few discount stores too – you just need to know where to look.
These include Il Salvagente on Via Fratelli Bronzetti, and Fox Town in Mendrisio (outside the city centre).
Rome
If you fancy seeing some of Europe’s greatest historical sights without breaking the bank, then booking an all inclusive hotel in Rome is a good way to go. Home to the spectacular Colosseum, this city is also famous for its romantic ambience and coffee culture.
The number one place to visit is, as you might have guessed, the Colosseum, which is around 2,000 years old. It was the largest amphitheatre in the Roman Empire, and in its heyday could hold a huge 50,000 to 80,000 spectators.
Attracting thousands of visitors year after year, this marvel can take a while to queue for, so it’s best to book tickets in advance to shorten your wait.
Trying some good Italian coffee is another must, and there are loads of historic coffee houses to choose from, like Caffe Greco. You’ll find this at 86 Via Condotti, where it has stood since opening back in 1760.
