A Weekend in Europe: City Breaks and Countryside Escapes

Pack your Bottega Veneta bag and head to Milan, the cosmopolitan hub of Italy’s north, for a getaway. Stay at Casa Cipriani Milano, where classic Milanese hospitality meets the old-world feel of an English gentleman’s club. Take in a treasure trove of masterpieces—Da Vinci’s The Last Supper, Il Duomo di Milano Cathedral and world-famous opera house La Scala. If the countryside calls, you’re a scenic 4.5-hour drive from the largest lake in Italy, Lake Garda. Here, adult-only Val di Sogno sits amongst small villages, picturesque hamlets and mountain slopes. Check in, listen to the sound of waves being gently pushed onto shore by passing sailboats and savor a poolside Aperol Spritz under the shade of olive trees.

If sitting at a local bistro, slowly sipping a café crème and tearing into a flaky croissant sounds ideal right about now, then Paris is the perfect city break for you. Located in the 1st Arrondissement between the Opéra Garnier and famous rue Saint Honoré, you’ll find Nolinski Paris. After a stroll along the Seine and pass through the Palais-Royal gardens, dine at the property’s two Michelin-starred Palais Royal Restaurant or take to the Spa Nolinski by La Colline. Looking for more big city energy? Hop on a two-hour TGV train bound for Lyon, France’s third-largest city. Stay at Boscolo Hotel & Spa Lyon, a classically styled hotel sprinkled with Italian design dating all the way back to the 19th century. Go on a culinary journey at Mediterranean-focused Angelo Restaurant and go back in time with a dip in the historic Roman thermal baths at the Boscolo Lyon spa. Beyond the property, you’re steps away from Place Bellecour, the picturesque district of Vieux Lyon and the majestic Basilique de Fourvière.

London brims with things to do. You could catch a sporting event, with Wimbledon rolling around each July and the Premier League gearing up in August (the city is home to seven teams). If the arts are more your jam, London has over 192 museums and an incredible lineup of summer music festivals, including BST Hyde Park, All Points East and Field Day. There are all the classic sights, too—Westminster Abbey, Big Ben, Trafalgar Square. Luckily, a stay at Great Scotland Yard Hotel makes decision-making a little easier with its perfect location in Westminster. Its proximity to the train station at Charring Cross and underground lines makes it easy for you to see all of the city and beyond. A one-hour ride north of London Marylebone is Oxfordshire. Here, Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons, A Belmond Hotel embodies the very best of the dreamy British countryside—channel your inner Jane Austen heroine and wander through the vegetable gardens, flower borders and orchards.

Whether stumbling upon a local trattoria serving heavenly cacio e pepe or encountering a renowned Caravaggio masterpiece in an unassuming church, Rome offers surprises at every turn. Retreat to Villa Spalletti Trivelli Rome, an ideal home base complete with a library, Italian garden and a rooftop terrace with a jacuzzi. If you can’t get close to the Trevi Fountain because of the crowds, save your wishes for the Tuscan Coast, just a two-hour drive away. On arrival, get a taste of glamorous 1960s Italy at LA ROQQA. Quench your thirst (and move your hips to the music) after your journey at the hotel’s beach club, Isolotto.

When in Spain, go big and bold. Start in Madrid where art lovers can spend the day exploring three of the world’s biggest museums, aka the Golden Triangle of Art. History buffs will love the city’s architecture and historic landmarks, including the oldest restaurant in the world and an Egyptian temple. And you can’t go wrong with the booming culinary scene here—it’s made Madrid one of Europe’s best food cities. Hyatt Centric Gran Via Madrid is a 10-story Art Deco building within walking distance of cocktail bars, shopping and entertainment. Next, continue your Spanish adventures by taking the AVE high-speed train to Barcelona—you’re there in less than three hours. Close to the city’s top sights, including the Gothic Quarter, The Barcelona EDITION is where you can savor a Spanish Gin and Tonic while enjoying the breathtaking views from a corner table on the rooftop terrace. Don’t forget to walk along the city’s most famous boulevard, La Ramblas, scout out the best paella and enjoy an afternoon siesta on one of the city’s best beaches.

Long regarded as Lisbon’s little sister, Porto is finally emerging as a top destination, drawing weekenders seeking the ultimate 48-hour escape. Popping up like a storybook from the banks of the Douro River, Portugal’s second-biggest city is steeped in history and quickly becoming a haven for design and food lovers. Don’t miss Mercado do Bolhao, Porto’s historic central market. Reopened in October 2022 after a two-year renovation, it offers many delights, such as the famous francesinha sandwich. Explore the UNESCO Heritage Cais da Ribeira neighborhood, then unwind at The Rebello. This boutique hotel features an indoor and outdoor pool and various dining options, including the Lobby Bar and a chic rooftop restaurant serving fresh pizza with city views. In the mood for vinho? It’s time to venture 90-minutes east to the Douro Valley, where 19th-century manor Six Senses Douro Valley awaits, offering vineyard tours, wine libraries and tastings aboard a vintage boat.

It has the beaches, it has the sunshine and it definitely has the glamour—Nice is indeed nice. Nestled a few blocks away from the seaside along picturesque Boulevard Victor Hugo, Boscolo Hotel & Spa Nice exudes timeless charm. Discover one of the city’s most exclusive rooftops, BClub, boasting an outdoor pool and delicious cocktails. Just an 8-minute stroll away lies Ruhl’s Private Beach, where hotel guests are pampered with an array of amenities, including plush mattresses, parasols and towels. Drive east along the Côte d’Azur for 25-minutes and let the Mediterranean guide you to your next destination: Roquebrune-Cap-Martin. Stay at The Maybourne Riviera, standing sentry on a rocky outcrop near Monaco. Taking the 26th position on 2023’s World’s 50 Best Hotels list, this gravity-defying architectural wonder puts guests 300 meters above the Mediterranean Sea. Plus, it’s the perfect base for one of the sporting highlights of the year—the annual Monaco Grand Prix in May.

Santorini is a head-turner. It’s got the instantly recognizable white-washed houses, famous caldera and iconic sunsets. Not to mention, that crystal clear Aegean Sea. Equally as stunning is Andronis Arcadia, carved into cliffs near the iconic town of Oia. Intimate and secluded, the property features open, bright interiors and private pools. Enjoy the hotel’s Pacman Restaurant with its al fresco charm and breathtaking sunset views over the Aegean Sea accompanied by world-renowned live music May through August. If looking to escape the bustle of Santorini, hop over to low-key Paros and opt for a stay at Parīlio, an island retreat in full harmony with the surrounding sea and mountainous terrain. For those looking to fully embrace the slow-paced Cycladic way of living, the Elios Spa offers the ultimate vacation timeout.

James Joyce’s novel Ulysses famously takes the reader across Dublin on a single day in June 1904— imagine what you could with an entire weekend. So, what’s the craic (that’s Irish slang for fun) in the Emerald Isle’s capital? Walk the cobbles of Trinity College, wander St. Stephen’s Green, shop on Grafton Street or dine at one of the five Michelin-starred restaurants in town. If all that seems a little too fancy, grab a pint of Guinness in an 800-year-old pub. Check into The Merrion, an impeccable restoration of four Georgian townhouses with rooms and suites overlooking beautiful manicured gardens. Leave the city and experience the Irish countryside in County Waterford. Make your accommodation Cliff House Hotel, clinging to a cliff on the south side of Ardmore Bay, where there has long been a fishing village. The hotel features an intimate Irish destination spa and a floating golf green.

Spread across more than 100 small islands, Venice stands as Italy’s Veneto gem, adorned with winding canals, majestic Renaissance palaces and graceful bridges. A few canals over from the Piazza San Marco, find newly opened Nolinski Venezia. Best reached by private speedboat, the property is housed within the confines of Venice’s old stock exchange and features a 4,000-book Library Bar and a 360-view pool with dreamy views of the Venetian skyline. While day-trippers hurry from the Rialto to St. Mark’s Basilica, consider slowing things down by heading to the Venice Biennale, an international cultural exhibition hosted annually. Ready to zip abroad? Set sail to Croatia. Skip the car rentals and opt for the ferry to coastal Rovinj. Perched amidst pine forests overlooking the azure Adriatic, Grand Park Hotel Rovinj is a serene escape with seven dining venues, including a Michelin-starred restaurant, and a 3800-square-meter spa set in Mediterranean gardens. Venture into Rovinj’s old town, rising from the sea, to wander its timeless streets.