City and beach breaks

Athens

Athens is one of the world’s oldest cities, but the Greek capital is surprisingly modern! Central Athens is made up of a selection of vibrant districts, and you don’t need to travel far to reach the beautiful Athens coastline.

City

A walk through the oldest neighbourhood in Athens is a must and one of the most enjoyable activities, especially in the early evening. There are hundreds of shops, from small tourist ones to the workshops of some creative artisans, as well as many good restaurants where you can sit outside almost year-round. There are also some nice little ouzeries that are cosy when it is too cold to sit outside.

Beach

If you are visiting Athens during the summer season, you’ll probably want to enjoy some swimming and sunbathing. Karavi at Schinias is the ultimate beach destination close to Athens and is extremely popular due to its energetic atmosphere. Extending over a hundred-metre sandy beach, Karavi offers many amenities including a restaurant, beach bar, athletic ground, windsurfing school and beach volley field.

Lisbon

Lisbon is the stunning capital city of Portugal. Full of bleached-white limestone buildings and intimate alleyways, Lisbon's mix of traditional architecture, contemporary culture and range of beaches makes for the perfect break.

City

Praça do Comércio is a great central place to start, or Rossio, the city's main square. Or you might try climbing up the Cristo Rei, a huge statue of Christ with breathtaking views across the whole city. A short tram ride to the west of Lisbon will also bring you to Belem, where you can explore attractions like the Belem Tower and the Belem Cultural Centre, which features a fantastic art collection including works by Dali, Picasso, Warhol and Magritte.

Beach

The beaches of the Lisbon region extend along four very different coastlines, and range from windsurfing beaches, through to calm family-oriented beaches and charming towns. The Serra da Arrábida coastline is situated between the towns of Sesimbra and Setubal, on the southern side of the Setubal Peninsular. These beaches are some of the most picturesque beaches of Portugal, with soft golden sands and impressive blue-green sea waters.

Nice

Nice has it all. Year-round sunshine, vibrant street life and a stunning seaside location.

City

Start with an early morning trip to The Cours Saleya Market sells everything from fresh fruit and vegetables to local delicacies and flowers. Don't grab breakfast, instead, sample the wide range of regional products from the food stalls, the perfect chance to try some local dishes.

Head to the Old Town (Vieille Ville) and check out the City Courthouse (Palais de Justice) and the square in front of it, then visit the Baroque Cathedral of Saint Reparata on the Place Rossetti Square.

Beach

The beach in Nice curves around the Bay of Angels for about three miles, all the way to the Port. The beach is composed of pebbles and rocks, but don’t let this put you off the Mediterranean coast. You’ll walk the Promenade des Anglais which is dotted with top-notch restaurants, hotels and shops.