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.

It won’t be long now before the first Christmas Markets in Europe open. A fantastic chance to buy unique Christmas presents for your family and friends, so why not cross the sea and buy that extra special gift?

You could purchase regional produce, quaint artefacts, homemade crafts and one off items of clothing – all within a traditional and festive environment with a few glasses of vin chaud or mulled wine!

Enjoy a Winter Wonderland in Brussels in Belguim, Am Dom in Cologne, Germany, Christkindlmarket in Vienna, Austria or Vanocni trh in Prague, Czech Republic. 

In less than two hours you could be in Lille, France having travelled on the super quick Eurostar from London. From 18th November to 30th December stroll through the delightful and historic streets of Lille and head to the Place Rihour for the brightly lit Christmas Market full of stalls selling arts and crafts; however, if travelling with young children Saturday 19th December is the day to visit, when Father Christmas descends from the 80 metre Belfry at the Chamber of Commerce.

For a real magical experience, the Christmas Markets in Prague are very special winter wonderlands. The main market takes place on Wenceslas Square and the Old Town Square, with smaller ones within a very short walk of each other. Authentic brightly decorated wooden huts sell traditional handicrafts and hot speciality food, including candles, wooden toys, hats, gloves, puppets and Christmas tree decorations.

In the German city of Cologne, there are actually four Christmas markets open in December, with the famous Am Dom located in the square in front of Koln Cathedral. A stunning setting, there are over 150 stalls as well as bands and musicians playing. The Alter Markt is a short walk south and ideal for buying old fashioned and well crafted wooden toys, stocking fillers and tasty gingerbread.

One of the oldest Christmas Markets is annually held in Vienna, the Christkindmarkt. A stunning setting, the Vienna Christmas Market attracts millions, so why not visit early in mid November and avoid the Christmas crowds or visit during December weekends when choirs perform in the Festival Hall having travelled from all round the world.

There are many car hire rental locations in Belgium’s capital of Brussels; the airport, the city centre and at the railway stations.

At Brussels Airport the car rental desks are in the Arrivals Hall where all your documents will be checked and your car allocated. When you return the hire car to the airport follow the signs to the car rental entrance which is located on the left of the access road to the airport near Front Park 1. Remember that you’ll need at least 10 minutes for administrative procedures before you can make your way to the Departure Hall.

Car hire is also quick and easy to pick up from Brussels Gare du Midi where the direct Eurostar trains arrive from London St Pancras International Station and Ashford in Kent, arrive. Other popular pick up points include Chaussee de Waterloo (Centre Ixelles), Rue Saint Denis (Centre Forest) in the city and Schepdaal (west of Brussels).

Travelling to Brussels on business and have some free time? Having spent some time in the city, why not hire a car and visit stunning Bruges with its winding canals, beautiful architecture and artistic treasures.

In Brussels on holiday or for a weekend break? Then you have chosen a vibrant and cosmopolitan destination where you will enjoy picturesque medieval architecture, pretty streets, spacious parks and a buzzing cultural life. There are so many museums, theatres and educational places to visit, so how about the Trammuseum on Ninoofsesteenweg, the Planetarium on avenue de Bouchout, the Theatre Royal de Tonne, the Museum of Modern Art (Musee d’art Moderne) and the Children’s Museum (Musee des Enfants). There are a great collection of boutique stores as well as large shopping centres, and the number of restaurants and cafes is endless.

So fly to Brussels or travel by train, and Brussels car hire will allow you the freedom to discover the fascinating country of Belgium.