As summer approaches and thoughts turn to finding the ideal holiday, it can be difficult to please absolutely everyone. The age-old adage appears time and time again; should you opt for a relaxing beach holiday, or a more a more cultural, mind-expanding city break? What is going to keep you occupied for the most amount of time and cause the least arguments along the way?
Well, there are in fact numerous destinations in Europe where you can actually find the best of both worlds. With fascinating cities located on beautiful coasts, it’s more than possible to combine a city and beach break into one holiday to suit everybody.
So where can you find such destinations?
Barcelona
Thousands of tourists flock to Barcelona every single year, and little wonder with how much if offers those who visit. With absolutely fantastic weather and mild climate for most of the year, it makes the ideal city break for those who like the sunshine and fancy enjoying a bit of beach time thrown in for good measure.
This is definitely the most obvious choice on the list and made even better by the fact it’s only a couple of hour’s flight time away from the UK. Combining some amazing sightseeing, tantalising food with a dip in the warm waters of the Mediterranean makes for ideal holiday for many.
Nice
An exclusive coastal resort in the South of France is an ideal location for those who love beach holidays. With picture-postcard looks, golden sands, and multiple places to relax with good food and tasty cocktails, there’s little wonder why it pulls the crowds, including many celebrity faces each summer.
However, there’s much more to Nice than just being a beachy haven. With a full city behind it which contains ancient monuments, Roman ruins, great designer shopping opportunities, as well as an excellent nightlife and clubbing scene, it’s also a great place for those who need a bit more from their holiday than just lying on a sunbed.
Venice
Certainly known more for being a touristy city than a beach, Venice is recognised as being an area for romance and couples breaks. This Italian ‘floating city’ attracts many people looking for great food, relaxing boat trips and shopping in the exclusive outlets dotted amongst the tiny alleyways.
It’s surprising for some then when they learn that there are a couple of huge public beaches, just a short boat ride away from the main area which aren’t subject to the swathes of tourists found in the city centre. Found on Venice Lido – an 11km long island just off the coast, the beaches border the warm Adriatic Sea, making it yet another beautiful destination for those looking to combine their sightseeing city break with some relaxation on the beaches in the sun.
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