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Best unusual short breaks

Discover five unusual short breaks.
Whether you’re pushed for time or just don’t fancy a whole week away, short breaks are a great way to recharge your batteries. And you don’t have to restrict yourself to the classic line-up of European city breaks. A three or four-night trip can offer anything from sun-soaked beach retreats to volcanoes and glaciers. So, if you’ve only got a long weekend to play with, why not make the most of it and explore somewhere completely different?

Whether you want to de-stress with the kids, party up a storm or chase adventure in the great outdoors, we’ve got lots of suggestions for quick trips beyond the norm. Take a look, then check out our best short break deals...

1. BEST FOR A TWO-IN-ONE BREAK – GREECE AND TURKEY

Two countries in one short trip – now that’s what we call value for money. It also means packing plenty into a three or four-night stay - everything from that all-important beach time to exploring back-in-time towns. Base yourself on the dazzling Turkish Riviera in laid-back Icmeler – a resort set by a sweeping bay, with a backdrop of pine-thick peaks. When you’re done sunbathing on Blue Flag-rated sand, neighbouring Marmaris is just a short walk away. From here, you can catch a high-speed catamaran that lands you on the Greek island of Rhodes in under an hour. Find out why this is Greece’s most-visited island with a day trip taking in one of Europe’s best-preserved medieval cities, Rhodes Town. Try climbing up to the acropolis at Lindos, a BC-era citadel perched on a rugged hill. The panoramic views alone make this place well worth a visit.

The stats: The flight time is four hours, followed by a two-hour transfer to Icmeler. The time zone is two hours ahead of the UK.

Check out our holidays to Icmeler.

2. BEST FOR EXPLORERS – ICELAND

Only got three days? In Iceland, that’s enough time to make the most of a quirky city, see some seriously impressive natural sights, and even fit in a snowmobiling adventure. The country’s capital, Reykjavik, is small enough to see in a day on foot - don’t miss it's microbreweries, local delicacies (rotten shark, anyone?), and unusual-looking churches. Day two is for ticking off some of the best sights that the great outdoors has to offer - think boiling water spurting from mud pits, epic waterfalls and the place where the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates meet. On your last day, the Arctic wilderness is your oyster. Soak in hot springs, speed through the snow, enjoy a 4x4 adventure up a mountain or go whale watching. During winter, you can add catching the Northern Lights to the list, too.

The stats: The flight time is three hours and the time zone is one hour behind the UK in summer (Iceland is on GMT).

Check out our holidays to Iceland.

3. BEST FOR A PARTY-HEAVY HOLIDAY – CORFU

What if we said you only needed three nights to soak up sun, sea, sand and a legendary party? Head for Sidari in Corfu and your long weekend will be anything but boring. The main strip is packed with restaurants and bars, so you can dive right into the action. And the Blue Flag beach is the perfect sunny spot to rest after a big night out. If you feel like you need to get moving, there are reviving coastal walks close by, or parasailing and diving for those feeling particularly active.

The stats: The flight time is three hours, followed by a 90-minute transfer. Time zone is two hours ahead of the UK.

Check out our holidays to Sidari.

4. BEST FOR A RELAXING ESCAPE – LA GOMERA

Ever hear of La Gomera? Exactly. This under-the-radar Canary Island is the ideal place to get away from it all – expect unspoiled beaches, single-storey, boutique hotels and family-run eateries. Metaphorically speaking, it’s a million miles away from its booming Canary contemporaries. In real terms, La Gomera is a 50-minute ferry ride from Tenerife and just a short hop from the UK, plus there’s no time difference. And if you want action beyond an entire beach to yourself, the island also offers hiking in the wild El Cedro forest, or you could visit its peaceful, land-that-time-forgot mountain villages.

The stats: The flight time is four hours and 30 minutes. The time zone is the same as the UK.

Check out our holidays to La Gomera.

5. BEST FOR FAMILIES – MONTENEGRO

Montenegro is fast gaining a reputation as ‘the new Croatia’, because of its stone-carved historic old towns – complete with cobbled streets – and prime position on the glittering Adriatic. And, Montenegro adds towering mountains into the mix, too. For a family-friendly retreat that feels like another world altogether, Petrovac on the Budvar Riviera is a winner. The beachside promenade makes the perfect base, with clear water for paddling and an all-ages vibe. And while the town beach can get busy, further south there’s Lučice pebble beach, complete with a kids’ waterslide. Becici beach, a 15-minute drive from town, is even quieter, offers soft sands and – the icing on the cake – a choice of ice cream parlours.

The stats: Flight time is two hours and 15 minutes, followed by a one-hour transfer. The time zone is one hour ahead of the UK.

Check out our holidays to Montenegro.

How to book your short break

For more ideas on short breaks, head to our short breaks deals page. Select where you would like to fly from, the dates on which you would like to go away and then select ‘a few days’ in the ‘How Long?’ tab. Hit search and we’ll find something to suit you.

Ready to book? Take a look at our full range of short breaks. Plus, if you can’t wait to get away, have a read of our top last-minute deals. And, if you’re after some sun, find out where’s hot all year round.

Pssst. Head to the Discover homepage for our latest articles.

Author: Laura Chubb

Last updated: 11.03.2022
 

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