Our tips: Six destinations for short breaks in Europe

class=”sc-29f61514-0 icZBHN”>

While Saxon Switzerland near Dresden is famous far beyond Germany’s borders, Franconian Switzerland is still largely unknown abroad. The region between the cities of Erlangen, Bamberg and Bayreuth in northeastern Bavaria offers a wealth of attractions and experiences. The region was named “Switzerland” because of its hills and characteristic rock formations. In other words: walking (or climbing for fit people) in the autumn forests is especially suitable here. Afterwards, you can relax in one of the five thermal baths (also recommended for children: Franken Lagoon in Hirschaid).

Approximately St. Franconian Switzerland, the size of the canton of St. Gallen, is full of medieval villages and castles; 17 of them can be visited (especially picturesque: Rabenstein Castle in Ahorntal). And finally the best thing: you can feast with peace of mind in Franconia. There are around 70 breweries in Franconian Switzerland alone: ​​so be sure to try the local beer. This goes well with “Schäufele” – braised pork shoulder.

Few tourists get lost in Perugia, the capital of the Umbria region. The old city of the community, with a population of approximately 170,000, was built on a hill in the old swamp plain to protect from mosquitoes. The modern city has expanded into this area, leaving the “centro storico” in its original state: winding streets and city villas from the Renaissance characterize the picture – a touch of Florence without the crowds. A visit in October is twice as valuable. A chocolate festival is held in the city at the end of the month; Here you can not only taste chocolate, but also attend concerts, street theaters and workshops.

Helsinki is not one of the most popular city destinations on the Baltic Sea. Stockholm, Saint Petersburg and Riga surpass the Finnish capital. The metropolis of 600,000 inhabitants is absolutely gorgeous: there are trendy cafes, typical Scandinavian design shops and modern architecture by Finnish starchitect Alvar Aalto. There are many reasons for a city trip. Another one is coming in October: the Herring Festival. Now mainly a delicacy, herring was once the most important food source in the Scandinavian countries and is therefore still very popular. In 1743, the festival began as a sales market; Today, it has turned into a festival for Baltic culinary culture. Herring is offered here in every imaginable preparation method and flavor. The good thing: Many fishermen and producers come by fishing boat and walk directly over the railings.

Of course, London isn’t an insider tip, but it’s always worth a visit. Autumn is a particularly beautiful time to travel: At least there are fewer tourists and the autumn colors make England’s capital particularly photogenic. If the weather gets wet and cold, many festivals and cultural events are held to escape London’s bad weather, especially in autumn. Some examples:

• At the London Restaurant Festival, which runs throughout October, many restaurants (including famous chefs) offer special menus.
• The museums will open their doors at night with special events in “Night Museums” between 26-28 October 2023.

San Sebastian in the Basque Country is the most beautiful seaside town on Spain’s north coast and an ideal destination for a long weekend. In the 19th century, the Spanish royal family discovered the fishing village as a resort and expanded it magnificently. You can still pass by Art Deco and Belle Epoque facades in the old town and feel like you’re in sandy Paris. Or rather like in Rio de Janeiro? The egg-shaped rocks on the beach, where you can sunbathe even in late summer, are reminiscent of a South American metropolis.

If culture, surfing waves and architecture don’t draw you to the Atlantic, you’ll definitely find holiday bliss in restaurants: with 16 Michelin stars, San Sebastian rightly prides itself as a gourmet bastion. However, typical delicacies of the region are available not in the best restaurants, but in (almost) every bar: San Sebastian is famous for “pintxos”, small culinary creations on a piece of bread.

For 15,000 francs you can buy a lot of things: a car, a world tour, furniture. Or a bottle of France’s finest wine. The Romanée-Conti vineyard, covering just 1.8 hectares in the village of Vosne-Romanée, is considered the best and most expensive in the world. Everything is just right here: the soil, the duration of sunlight and the amount of rain. It goes without saying that foodies make pilgrimages to Burgundy every autumn for the grape harvest. Themed route “Route des Grand Crus” runs through the famous vineyards of the Côte d’Or region. You’ll need to plan a few days for the approximately 60-kilometer distance; only wine tastings (plural!) take time. Additionally, the region south of the city of Dijon is a cultural and historical gem: the valley is full of medieval villages, picturesque country castles and monasteries. Don’t miss: The abbey of Cîteaux and the town of Beaune, the ancestral home of the Cistercians. Tip: The route is also suitable as a cycling tour.

Source : Blick