The best weekend trips

Paris

Paris is one of those cities that’s constantly romanticised in TV and film but I’d also heard very mixed reviews from people who had visited.

When one of our friends moved there, it felt like the perfect opportunity to see it for myself.

My verdict? Paris is a must visit destination.

I can be quite hard to please when it comes to travel, but there was something about this weekend that just worked. It was one of those trips where everything falls into place effortlessly.

From wandering through the streets, watching the Eiffel Tower sparkle, to drinking the famous hot chocolate at Carette. Everything felt perfect.

We fully embraced being tourists, then somehow made a 6am flight home on Monday morning and were back at our desks in the UK by 9am.

It was the definition of a weekend trip done right and not a second wasted.

For a more detailed itinerary for this trip to Paris check out my 3 day Paris itinerary.

Zadar

This is, without a doubt, one of the most underrated destinations I’ve ever visited.

We went for a long weekend over the May bank holiday (Friday–Monday), using just one day of annual leave.

Honestly, the only reason we chose Zadar was that it was one of the cheapest flights.

We paid around £40 for the return flights and ended up seeing some of the most unforgettable scenery.

Zadar itself has a beautiful old town on the coast, with lovely cafés and scenic walks. But the real highlight was a day trip to Plitvice Lakes National Park.

I genuinely cannot believe how lucky we were to find this place, especially considering we did zero research beforehand.

Plitvice Lakes is a UNESCO-listed national park featuring 16 terraced lakes connected by waterfalls. A day trip here if you are visiting Zadar is a must do. It is still one of the best experiences I have ever had on a trip.

If you’re looking for a weekend getaway with incredible natural scenery, Zadar should be high on your list.

Barcelona

Barcelona was another trip inspired by having a friend living abroad (this is your sign to visit your friends living abroad).

Barcelona is the kind of place where you don’t need a strict itinerary. You can fill a weekend away just walking through the different areas, taking in the architecture, and of course stopping for tapas along the way.

We spent the weekend exploring, eating, and just enjoying the atmosphere of the city.

It is another great destination for a weekend away.