When life gets tough, and work is driving you up the wall, there is nothing better than packing a weekend bag and taking a city break with a few friends. Exploring a new city can be just as exciting as getting off to an exotic destination. You can fill your weekend with good food, culture, and new experiences. However, a short trip requires some planning if you want to make the most out of your city break. Here are a few top tips to help you have a blast in the city.
Plan Ahead
Although the prospect of taking a spontaneous trip and arriving in a new place with absolutely no plans is tempting, you can make the most out of a short break if you’re prepared. Chat to your friends to discuss the type of city break you want to have, and delegate responsibilities evenly. For example, one friend can be in charge of researching the city, one can help make restaurant reservations, and another can look into accommodation.
Create an Itinerary
Once you have an idea of the things you want to do, create an itinerary to help manage your time effectively. Your itinerary doesn’t have to be rigid. A rough schedule will enable you to enjoy the city and take in the sites, rather than wasting your time doing research that you could have done at home. Not to mention, an itinerary can help you pack more efficiently.
Travel Light
Traveling light is a good idea for short weekenders. It is tempting to take half your closet just in case you need it, but how many outfits can you actually fit into a weekend? Chances are, you will only use half of what you packed anyway. Use your itinerary to help you put together outfits and pack accordingly. If your weekend is going to be filled with sightseeing and walking tours, a pair of comfortable shoes is essential. While dining in fancy restaurants and sipping cocktails in trendy bars will require a classier ensemble. Whatever you decide to pack, choose a weekend bag that is lightweight and easy to carry.
Travel-Sized Essentials
When it comes to city breaks, travel-sized essentials are a must if you want to save valuable space. Full-sized toiletries can be bulky, and you could be left with a huge mess if they end up spilling in your bag. Instead, decanter your toiletries into travel-sized bottles to make them easier to take with you. Shampoo bars, small tubes of toothpaste, and travel-sized perfume are also ideal for city trips.
Go Off-Peak
A great way to avoid crowds is to travel during the off-peak season. Not only will you be able to skip the long lines for popular attractions, but you will also have space to breathe while you explore and take amazing pictures without strangers photobombing your snaps. Not to mention, accommodation and attraction tickets are generally lower during the low season too. Weekends are busier in general, but you can check Google for the peak hours of attractions to make sure you visit when there are fewer people around.