November City Breaks

Written by Donna on November 9, 2009

You’ve been to New York and Paris, and you’re booked to go to Amsterdam, but where could you go that will still keep you interested during the cool days and nippy nights on a November City Break?

Oslo is the capital of Norway and the cultural and historic hub of the country. Surrounded by forests, hills and mountains, Oslo has nearly 350 lakes and is actually made up of 40 islands within the city’s boundary which are ideal to explore by boat or mini-cruise. Visit the many historic buildings in Christiania Torv in the heart of Oslo, stroll through the many beautiful parks including Vigeland Park and St Hanshaugen Park, and take a sightseeing tour of Homenkollen, the Viking Ship Museum, Kon-Tiki Museum and the Opera House. At the beginning of November the temperature will hover around freezing point, so make sure you wrap up warmly for your city break in Oslo, a fabulous interesting and pretty holiday location.

A little closer to home is Brussels, easily accessible with many flights from the UK, direct Eurostar train from London and Ashford, and just over two hour’s drive from Calais. Steeped in history, Brussels is the fascinating multicultural capital of Belgium and of the European Union. The architecture is stunning with the classical Royal Palace Koningsplein standing alongside gothic churches and cathedrals, round the corner of stunning art nouveau houses and art deco buildings. Visit the little boy statue on Eikstraat and Stoofstratt near the Grand Place (Market Place), shop till you drop, dine in fabulous restaurants and taste the most delicious chocolate and buy the most delicate lace.

A little cheaper than New York, but still as stunning, is Boston, one of the USA’s oldest cities, situated in New England on America’s east coast. In this picture postcard city, Boston is a romantic city with cobbled alleys and softly lit streets. There are many museums and theatres to visit in Boston, and for American sport fanatics prebook tickets to watch the Boston Red Sox play baseball or Boston Celtics play basketball, or make a cultural visit to the Boston Opera House or Boston Ballet. The restaurants are excellent with the sea food, particularly good.

For a sunny November city break, how about Dubai in the United Arab Emirates (UAE)? Choose from a luxury five or six star hotel overlooking the Arabian Sea or a more budget priced hotel or self catering apartment in the heart of Bur Dubai with the business and commercial centres a short trip away. Dubai is a shoppers dream as goods are duty free. Don’t leave before you have visited Meena Bazar! Shop in Deira City Centre for department store goods and souvenirs, Burjamen Centre for designer clothes and jewellery, Al-Ain in Bur Dubai for gadgetry, and themed Ibn Battuta Mall for gifts from different areas around the globe – amongst others! Deira is the north side of Dubai with Bur Dubai in the south and the city is divided by Dubai Creek. The well know tourist area is Jumeriah. Visit the Grand Mosque, souks, Dubai Museum, the Sheikh Saeen Al Maktoum House in Port Rashid and enjoy the activities at the Wild Wadi Waterpark.