When it comes to travel, you may already be pretty well versed when it comes to a city break. Anybody can nail a beach vacation. You go to a resort, you drop your bags off in the hotel room, and you go and enjoy the beach and the bar. But when it comes to a city break, you may not always be able to drop your bags off at the hotel room and go exploring, though you might want to immediately start exploring once you arrive.
You can use companies such as Radical Storage so that you have somewhere to leave your bag safely before you start hot-footing it around the city. Some hotels have late check-in times, and some hotels may not be available if you’ve arrived in the city at 6:00 in the morning. So what you need to do is make a plan for what you can do during any city break. Below, we’ve put down five things that you might consider doing after you’ve dropped your luggage off.
Go and Find a Great Cup of Coffee
Ideally, you would have done your research before you arrive in the city of choice. Finding a highly recommended cup of coffee in some of the best cafes in the city is a great place to begin because you can get started with your day feeling fuelled and energized. If you pair a delicious cup of coffee with a tasty pastry, you’re going to be in luck. So whether you’re in Rome or Paris, find a well-regarded bakery and settle into a seat with a coffee and a treat.
Consider a Walking Tour
If you’ve dropped your bags off, you don’t have to lug your suitcases around with you, and you might have a few hours to fill before you can check into the hotel. Taking a walking tour is a great way to see a new city and get a glimpse of the sights that you can revisit later in the weekend. Even if you only have a couple of days, a walking tour can help you get your bearings with a guide. Not only is it often led by somebody knowledgeable who knows what they’re doing, but you’re also likely to gain an understanding of the culture and local customs.
Find a Seat With a View
Even in the city, there is often a seat with an amazing view somewhere. Whether you’re climbing towers in Paris or heading to the top of churches in Lisbon, you’ll probably be able to find somewhere to take your sandwich and sit down. In Barcelona, for example, the view from Park Güell not only takes in the vast city, but you’ll also see pieces of Gaudí’s unusual architecture. Now that’s a view!
Take a Nap
So you landed first thing in the morning, and now you’ve checked into the hotel this afternoon. After picking up your luggage from Radical Storage, one of the best things you can do is take one look at that hotel bed and flop down on it for a nap. Make sure that you set an alarm, though, because you likely want to be able to enjoy the nightlife.
Get a Memorable Souvenir
Every time you head to a city break, it’s a good idea to pick up a souvenir. Whether it’s a Christmas bauble or a magnet for the fridge, you might want something to show that you’ve had a great time in this place and you’ve actually arrived. It’s kind of like a stamp that shows that you’ve been there, though they no longer stamp passports anymore.
Published by Mark V.