A Beginners Travel Guide to Short Breaks

Not everyone has the luxury of unlimited holiday, and if you’re one of them short breaks may be the solution for you. Compact in time, but large in adventure, you can still enjoy your chosen destinations, no matter the length of time you have. But you may just need to be a little more strategic with your planning. So how do you make the most of a small break, and where are some of the best mini-trip locations we hear you cry? All will be revealed in this pocket size article for you to discover. Shall we begin finding your next short break? 

Within this article:

• 3 Tips to Making the Most of a Short Trip
• Top 3 UK Destinations to Consider for Your Next Mini-Break
• Top Locations Outside the UK for Your Next Trip

3 Tips to Making the Most of a Short Trip

Short trips shouldn’t mean you miss out on what your chosen destination has to offer. If you know how to plan your trip well, you can make the most out of your time and ensure you visit all the attractions you want to see and experience. Luckily we have been fortunate to experience both long and short breaks around the UK and toured Europe, so have picked up some tips along our adventures, including:

1. Booking a small-group tour

2. Make the most out of your bank holidays / public holidays

3. Take hand luggage only

Book a Small-Group Tour

What better way to experience a new location on a short timeframe than with a small-group tour. Not only is your itinerary already planned for you, you get to meet like-minded travellers to share your adventure with. Who knows, they may even become friends for life.

Allow a group tour to ignite your curiosity and listen to the lesser-known stories shared over a pint in the local watering hole. Seated in a comfortable mini-coach, you gaze upon the scenic landscape from the large windows, no matter the climate outside. Don’t worry, you do get free time to yourself too. Whether you book an added attraction, or simply want to spend time exploring the local area with loved ones, there’s still flexibility to be had on your short break.

Make the Most out of Bank Holidays / Public Holidays

A useful tip which may get overlooked is utilising your bank holidays and public holidays from work. Often restricted by a set number of days off from work, you can look to book your short break over the weekend of a bank holiday, or book the days either side of these public holidays to bridge a longer break together.

Book Hand Luggage Only

With a short break being considered, it's important to remember to travel light and just take hand luggage. We’re talking to you, who on their last trip packed twenty pairs of spare underwear for a three night stay. Believe us, you won’t need them. Utilise your luggage space better by packing your items in packing cubes, they help keep things organised, which again will help you reduce taking unnecessary items. If you need some help, take a quick read of our guide to packing for your small-group tour.

Top 3 UK Destinations to Consider for Your Next Mini-Break

• Ireland

• Scotland

• England

If starting a short trip for the first time, staying closer to home may be the best starting point. Here are three staycation destinations to consider booking for your next mini-break.

Ireland

Ireland. The kind of place where you can walk where giants once battled on your way to visiting a royal castle, before ending your day in a pub with a pint of Guinness. Just over 1.5 hours from London, you could be touring Ireland on a small-group tour in no time. If you manage to time your mini-break in the right season, you may even be able to celebrate St Patrick’s Day the Irish way. Filling the streets with a sea of green to see in the traditional parade, while touring Dublin, or if you’re visiting Belfast be sure to pop your head into McHugh's Bar and Restaurant, where you can soak in the live music.

Scotland

A tour of Scotland is like being welcomed into a new family of coos, haggis, and whisky. With heritage sights, royal connections, and fairytale landscapes that seem to consume everything around you, there’s plenty to see in this wee bonnie land. Open your eyes to the Scottish Highlands for a scenic escape or maybe you want to reenact your favourite scene on an Outlander tour? Scotland’s vast array of mini-break locations makes it one of the best countries to visit when thinking of somewhere closer to home.

England

Shakespeare, Stonehenge, and fog-covered moors, all things synonymous with touring beautiful England. With so much to see on your doorstep, how can you choose just one region to stay in? From walking the beaches of Devon and Cornwall, to stepping back in time while roaming the city of Bath, each county has stories and mysteries waiting for you to uncover. Explore our selection of multi-day tours to help you see more of England within your short timeframe.

Top Locations Outside the UK for Your Next Trip

• Italy

• Switzerland

The UK is a great base to start your mini-break in, but if you still want to have an abroad holiday, here are three destinations which are less than a three hour flight away from London.

Italy

Just a short flight from many major European hubs, Italy is an ideal choice for U.S. travelers looking to make the most of their time abroad. Steeped in history, culture, and unmistakable charm, even a few days touring Italy delivers a rich and rewarding experience — from world-class art and ancient streets to unforgettable food and wine. Whether you’re dreaming of iconic cities, relaxed countryside landscapes, or a mix of both, Italy offers incredible variety in a compact, easy-to-explore destination. From romantic escapes to culturally rich city breaks and scenic journeys through vineyards and villages, Italy suits every style of traveler.

Switzerland

Famous for watches, chocolate, and mountains, when you tour Switzerland you’ll appreciate this country has so much to offer its guests. Home to over 7,000 lakes, the scenery in Switzerland is second-to-none, but it's not just the landscape which is captivating, it’s also named as one of the top 10 safest European countries to visit. Having this status in the world of travel helps put visitors’ minds at ease, especially if taking a mini-break over the festive period to experience the Christmas markets.

Short Trips That Last a Lifetime

Short in time, but not in memories. We’re pleased to offer mini-breaks and longer multi-day tours to suit everyone’s timeframe. And thanks to our expert driver-guides, you’ll walk away with more than souvenirs. You’ll capture the stories and legends of time gone by, all the while standing in the footsteps of those who have walked before us. If that doesn’t give you a chill, we don’t know what will.  

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