WHETHER you're a family looking to get away from it all for a week in the sun, or a couple looking for a romantic getaway, Europe ticks all the right boxes.
A rich combination of museums and sights, to beaches and exquisite cuisine, breaks in Europe offer a seemingly endless list of holiday options. Europe is the world's second largest continent after all, and it certainly does manage to pack a lot in!
Many European hotspots are a relatively short flight from the UK which is great for those with young children – Florida may be fun when they're older, but keeping kids entertained on a long-haul flight certainly isn't a pleasant experience.
Holidays to Europe also are great value for money and if you shop around you can find some affordable holiday deals. Heading off for a week in the Algarve or Cyprus means that not only will you be able to look forward to enjoying some of the best beaches around, but you'll also be able to find a holiday that won't break the bank.
The Algarve is exceptionally family-friendly, and resorts such as Alburfeira offer a variety of apartment choices – a good option for families, as self-catering is often the best way of dealing with babies and toddlers who can be fussy eaters. It also means you don't have to be tied down to set meal times.
Those with older children may opt for something more up-market such as the resort of Vilamoura which has a variety of chic hotels – many of which offer separate children's pools and kids clubs so that the kids will be kept entertained. This means you can enjoy great food and service, and a bit of quality time with the adults in your group. The resort has a stylish marina surrounded by restaurants and bars if you're looking for an evening meal away from your hotel, or some low-key nightlife.
But Europe is not just for beach breaks. For couples or groups of friends looking for a weekend away Europe has some of the most breathtaking, culturally significant cities in the world. Rome is one such city, famous for its architecture, the Colosseum and of course the truly awe-inspiring St Peter's Square; gateway to Vatican City and some of the most incredible art and sculpture you'll ever see.
For something with a bit more of an edge, head to Barcelona in Spain, Catalonia's eclectic capital city, where you can check out Gaudi's famous cathedral La Sagrada Familia, take a train to the weird and wonderful Dali Museum or simply enjoy a leisurely stroll down Las Ramblas, checking out the shops, sampling the mouth-watering tapas and sipping a glass of sangria or two.
And of course there are the less obvious destinations. Yes, Rome, Barcelona and indeed Paris are iconic and beautiful cities, but if you've "been there, done that" let your imagination run wild and go for something a little different. Destinations such as Krakow and Berlin offer culture, sightseeing and offer plenty of depth in terms of historical significance: visiting the site of the Berlin wall is a once in a lifetime experience. And, somewhere such as Copenhagen with its biscuit coloured buildings, museums and chilled pace of life offers a really different city break experience.
The Balearic island of Majorca offers the best of both worlds: a variety of beach resorts to suit all types of holiday makers, and a buzzing capital city Palma, which has an awe-inspiring cathedral, vibrant café culture and some of the best restaurants in Spain.
It's worth remembering that some destinations are easy to get around than others, so be sure to do your research before you go. If you're taking the kids you'll want somewhere with easy access to a beach or pool, or you might want to hire a car. And in terms of city breaks, bear in mind that some cities are more expensive than others; so if you're on a budget make sure you find a hotel that's reasonably priced and includes breakfast.
Shopping around for the best holiday deals will mean your spending money will go further, and you'll have more cash to splash on those evenings out or for souvenirs of your trip.
