1. Seville, Spain
Temperature: 21 degrees
Food prices: Average meal price 20 euros
Recommended duration: 2-3 days
Flight information
Prices: Approx. £200
Airport: Stansted/Gatwick
Times: morning flights available but late night flight back
Duration: 2 hours 45 minutes
Things to do
Royal Alcázar of Seville
@suitcase_squirrell
What is it? If you do nothing else in Seville, visit the Royal Alcázar of Seville. This is the oldest royal palace in Europe, full of incredible Moorish and Christian architecture and design, and its fascinating history stretches back over a thousand years.
Why go? History buff or not, you’ll love it here. Every nook and cranny to discover and every minute detail in the mosaics make it worth the trip, and you’ll want to get lost for hours in its high ceilings, peaceful waters and serene green gardens.
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Catedral de Sevilla
@suitcase_squirrell
In the morning, the lineup for the Cathedral was long, it looked like it would easily take an hour. Luckily, after lunch, there was no lineup at all. You can also book online to skip the lines if you know what your schedule is going to be like. You do have to pay to get into the cathedral and the bell tower known as the Giralda.
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La Giralda
@suitcase_squirrell
What is it? The largest church in the whole world, this cathedral will have you swooning whether you’re a seasoned church-goer or not. The Sevillanos purposely built it so that it would be absolutely massive, with a plan that everyone would ‘think they were mad’. They succeeded.
Why go? Columbus’ tomb (no, we cannot confirm nor deny whether his actual skeleton is in there), is really something to behold, and is surrounded by picturesque orange trees. You should also climb the Giralda bell tower which gives you incredible views of the city.
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Alameda de Hércules
@suitcase_squirrell
What is it? Alameda is now possibly Seville’s hippest, alternative neighbourhood, packed with funky shops and bars. The centrepiece is the Alameda de Hercules, a tree-lined square crowned by a pair of Roman columns.
Why go? Come for a stroll along the Alameda de Hercules, a peek at the art in the Convento Santa Clara, coffee at an offbeat café such as Gigante (also great for cocktails), and then a spot of vintage shopping (Buhoneras is a treasure trove of funky finds).
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Triana
@suitcase_squirrell
What is it? Triana is a traditionally humble neighbourhood across the Guadalquivir that retains lots of authentic charm despite recent gentrification. Long famous for its ceramics (check out the Centro Cerámica museum) and flamenco taverns, its riverfront bars are perfect for cooling off on hot summer nights.
Why go? Potter around the fantastic food market, pick up some ceramics (Cerámica Triana has a fantastic choice), then eat lunch somewhere like century-old Mariatrifulca.
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Where to stay?
We need to try to be within walking distance to the Cathedral so you don’t have to worry about public transport. Staying in the Triana neighbourhood would also be reasonable as it is a short walk and has many tapas bars and restaurants to choose from.
Two bedroom apartment in the centre (near the cathedral) is around £350 for 3 nights (£175 each)
If looking to go here, prices are slightly cheaper in February
2. Sarajevo, Bosnia
Temperature: 12 degrees
Food prices: Said to be one of the cheapest European capitals. Average meal around 5-10 euros
Recommended duration: 3 days
Flight information
Price: £40
Airport: Luton
Times: Morning depatures
Duration: 3 hours
Things to do
Latin Bridge
@selenabahto
A beautiful stone bridge from the 1790s, formerly known as the Principov Bridge. Named after Gavrilo Princip, who was near the bridge when he assassinated Archduke Franz Ferdinand and his wife, Sophie, an event that ultimately led to the beginning of the First World War. Just next to the bridge, you can visit the actual spot where Princip stood, as well as the Museum Sarajevo 1878 - 1918.
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Sarajevo City Hall
@selenabahto
Sarajevo's City Hall, locally known as Vijećnica, is a significant landmark that opened in 1896. The architecture pays tribute to the city's Muslim heritage. It served as a city hall, parliament house, and the National and University Library.
During the devastating Siege of Sarajevo, the city hall was tragically burned down, resulting in the loss of an astonishing amount of books, manuscripts, and other historical documents. However, thanks to donations, the building was restored and reopened as a City Hall in 2014. Today, it stands as a national monument and hosts two museums: one dedicated to the Siege of Sarajevo and another showcasing international contemporary art.
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Yellow Fortress
@selenabahto
Once a fortress, this site now provides one of the best views of the city. It's located just a short walk from the old town of Baščaršija. From here, you can admire the captivating panorama of the old town, the majestic Vijećnica (city hall), and the distant mountains.
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Trebević
@suitcase_squirrell
One of the best things about Sarajevo is that you can easily escape the bustling markets and crowded streets to the lush green forest and be among beautiful nature in just a few minutes by hopping on the gondola to the top of Trebević, a mountain peak towering over the city.
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Mostar
@suitcase_squirrell
Day trip outside of the city.
The trip will often take you to Mostar, home of the beautiful stone arched bridge, Kravice Waterfall, a beautiful oasis surrounded by waterfalls and lush green forest you can swim at, Blagaj, a small village, home to the 16th century Dervish house carved into a cliff, and Pocitelj, a medieval stone town built in the 16th Century that act as an open-air museum full of stunning architectures, and more.
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Where to stay?
To get the most out of Sarajevo, the best neighbourhoods to stay in are Baščaršija, southern Centar, Marjin Dvor or Bistrik
Two bed central apartments for £140-£170 between us for 3 nights (so around £85 each)
3. Sofia, Bulgaria
Temperature: 12 degrees
Food prices: Average 10-20 euros
Recommended duration: 3-4 days
Flight information
Price: £60
Airport: Stansted/Luton
Times: Morning and/or late in the evening
Duration: 3 hours 20 minutes
Things to do
Seems like mainly churches to visit or day trips out of the capital but here are some of the main places below:
St. Alexander Nevsky Cathedral
@suitcase_squirrell
One of the most famous landmarks in Sofia is St. Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, an impressive Orthodox cathedral, one of the most beautiful cathedrals in the region, located right in the heart of the capital city, looming over the entire cityscape, and there is no better place to begin our journey in Sofia than here.
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Orthodox Church of St. Paraskeva
@suitcase_squirrell
Not too far from St. Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, you will find the Church of St Paraskeva, a massive unique-looking church built in the early 20th Century with a similar architectural style to the St. Alexander Nevsky Cathedral but smaller and with its own unique take.
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City Garden
@suitcase_squirrell
The City Garden is a beautiful scenic park with fountains, park benches, and greeneries, surrounded by some of the prettiest European-style buildings in the city.
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Vitosha
@suitcase_squirrell
A popular thing to do in Sofia is take a trip up Vitosha, the best-known mountain in the area.
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Where to stay?
Centrum is the best place to stay in Sofia for first timers
4. Istanbul, Turkey
Temperature: 12 degrees
Food prices: £5-£10
Recommended duration: 3-4 days
Flight information
Prices: £115
Airport: Gatwick
Times: Early morning and after/evening
Duration: 4 hours 10 minutes
Where to stay?
1. Sultanahmet · 2. Sirkeci · 3. Taksim · 4. Karaköy & Galata · 5. Maçka & Nişantaşi · 6. Kabataş.
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