By Paul Oswell
Forget short city
breaks! Make a proper holiday of it with these longer haul destinations
- with fantastic culture, great shopping and adventurous sightseeing they're
well worth the extra time investment.
Who can do it? Fans of the finer things in life.
Let's go! Often topping best city to live in polls, this Canadian cracker
has a busy, thriving downtown as well as mountains, beaches and a huge slice
of scenic wilderness. Work off that flight by hiking your way around Grouse
Mountain (known as the Grouse Grind), hitting the slopes with skis or snowboards
at Cypress Mountain, or windsurfing your way across Locarno Beach. Shoppers
will love the funky boutiques along West 4th Avenue, and you can enjoy sunsets
and seafood with dinner on the patio of a waterside restaurant on Granville
Island.
Top Tip: You can hike, bike, ski and sunbathe, so you may want to think
about renting equipment once you arrive rather than overpack!
Who can do it? Anyone looking to see the world in one city.
Let's go! You can see most of Toronto’s many neighbourhoods
form atop North America’s tallest building, the CN Tower – the non-squeamish
can peer down through the glass floor. Over 80 ethnic groups mean that a city
break here brings you an international mix that will appeal to your palate,
from dim sum in Chinatown to home-made pasta on College Street in Little Italy.
Meander down Queen Street West, which has the fashion district, quirky art galleries,
hip bars and a bohemian vibe. Tranquility is easily accessible with a 15 minute
ferry ride to Toronto Islands.
Top tips: A day trip to the nearby Niagara Falls is a must
– luckily, waterproof ponchos are provided once you get there.
Who can do it? Fanatical foodies and beatnik-curious bohemians
Let's go! San Fran’s most iconic sights are on the water
– cross by foot along the Golden Gate Bridge or by ferry to the former
prison of Alcatraz. After a steamed-crab lunch at Fisherman’s Wharf, check
the charmingly changeable weather and either lose yourself in Golden Gate Park
or the architectural and artistic delights of the Museum of Modern Art. Vintage
clothing enthusiasts will be in heaven around the happy hippy hangout of Upper
Haight Street, and although Latino and Chinese cuisines are strongly represented,
it’s the artisan, organic offerings of the farmers’ markets that
mark San Francisco out.
Top tips: Many SF streets are on steep inclines, so that few
blocks walk can sometimes take a bit longer than it looks on the map! Wear layers
to deal with the fickle climate.
Who can do it? Young at heart long-haulers
Let's go! With 37 beaches in Inner Sydney, there's plenty
of coast to chill out on and decompress after your flight - Bondi, Coogee and
Manley are the pick of the bunch. Get to know a side of the city that existed
way before the year 2000 Olympic Games with a historical walking (or drinking!)
tour of The Rocks, where the city was born. Head for fashionable suburbs such
as Surrey Hills for a taste of prime modern Australian cuisine before a night
out in Paddington or Darlinghurst. Shoppers will find their spiritual homes
in the Queen Victoria Building and Bondi Junction.
Top tips: For a different way to see the Sydney Harbour area,
including the Opera House, try the daring Sydney Harbour Bridge Climb.
Who can do it? Anyone looking to experience Africa
with a European twist.
Let's go! Perspective aplenty is available from the top of
Table Mountain, which looms over the city and is accessible by cable car. The
Robben Island Museum – dedicated to Nelson Mandeal – gives you perspective
of a different kind. The Victoria and Albert waterfront is the most modern shopping
development, but Long Street offers a more interesting array of wares. Add some
local viniculture to your city break with the day trip wine routes of nearby
Stellenbosch, Franschhoek and Paarl.
Top tips: Make sure there won’t be a heavy layer of
cloud before you head up Table Mountain – very cloudy conditions may even
mean the cable cars stop running.
If the culture and excitement of one of the world's great cities seems like
the perfect holiday for you – check out the latest
VHOT DEALS to worldwide cities
Paul Oswell is a freelance travel journalist who regularly writes for The
Daily Mail, Travelmail.co.uk and Luxury Travel Magazine