Winter city break on a budget

If the post-Christmas back-to-work January blues have gotten to you this month, why not liven up February and take a trip abroad. While you may not be able to afford a two week luxury break in the Bahamas, a long weekend away is certainly doable. From the unique nightlife of Berlin to the heated baths of Budapest, Europe offers anything you could want from a short winter city break.

Transport

The cost of travel this time of the year is no issue - fly with budget airlines such as Ryanair or Easyjet for unbelievably cheap prices, particularly in early 2016 . Use www.skyscanner.net to help suss out the cheapest prices - a quick search revealed tickets from London Stansted to Cologne in early February for just £45 - that’s less than a train ticket from London to Leeds! Get buying! Alternatively, if you’re thinking about heading over to France, Belgium or Germany, why not hop on the Eurostar for just as low prices. While you’re there, buy a weekly travel pass for public transport to save money. This will come in especially handy as you can opt for cheaper accommodation outside the city centre, and travel in cheaply.

Accommodation

Forget hotels - if you’re going on a budget, Airbnb is the way forward. Get yourself a room or an entire apartment, rented out by its owners, right in the city centre for a fraction of the price of a hotel. A quick scan of the website shows cute, quirky lodgings for as little as £20 a night. If all you’re looking for is somewhere to lay your head in between sightseeing and nights out, think outside the box with www.universityrooms.com, which offers student digs out of term time for awesome prices.

Food

Avoid tourist traps and eat where the locals eat. Use websites such as www.tripadvisor.com for reviews of one off cafes and inexpensive restaurants. For a budget breakfast, grab a croissant or pastry at one of the many bakeries in France or Italy, and fill your stomach at lunchtime with some tasty market food. Don’t forget to taste the local delicacy; you’ve failed yourself if you leave Switzerland without half your suitcase full of chocolate.

Attractions

Take a break from the blue skies and crisp wintry airs by heading to some of the city’s hottest attractions. Before you go, research some of the free events going on in the city - from winter markets to free music events there’s sure to be something up your street. For example take a tour of Copenhagen, on wheels with their free bike hire scheme, or head to the Louvre on the first Sunday of the month for a look at the Mona Lisa for free.

So, have a browse online, exchange some cash into Euros and pack your warmest coat for a short city break to remember!