All hail the city break. Friend of last-minute bookings, boutique accommodation and more opportunities for cultural enrichment than you can shake a stick at.
But come British summertime, the problem with visiting some of Europe’s best-loved cities is that it can seem like you’re on holiday with the whole world. And while you might have visions of sailing down the Spanish Steps in Rome or skinny dipping in Barcelona, the more likely reality is that you’ll be jostling with selfie sticks at the former and struggling to find a slither of sand at the latter. To paraphrase Audrey Hepburn, when it’s nearing 30 degrees and the Metro is suspended due to overcrowding, Paris is not always a good idea.
The solution lies in casting our nets a little wider to take in a host of lesser-known European cities that are just itching to be explored. Take Denmark’s Aarhus, for example. Eclipsed by Copenhagen for years, this cultural capital is now enjoying a much-deserved moment in the sun. The best part? You won’t have to plan your trip to the nth degree just to ensure you get a table for dinner and a ticket to the latest art exhibition.
So this summer, it is to Europe’s second cities that we head. We’ve even teamed up with Gap to pack your perfect suitcase – leaving space to bring back some market finds and local wine, of course.
Turin, Italy
Best for: Foodies and those who like their city breaks with a side of mountain views.
Wake Up:Terres d'Aventure Suites, Via Santa Maria 1
This boutique B&B is tucked behind an interior courtyard in Turin’s historical centre. The neighbourhood is famed for its Baroque architecture but behind closed doors, minimalism prevails – each of the five suites has been designed in an earthy palette, with features made from wood and steel. Rooms from €110.
Eat:L’Acino Restaurant, Via San Domenico 2/A
The traditional cuisine of the Piedmont region is rich, with dishes heavy on butter and truffles. Not that we’re complaining. Make time to dine at L’Acino, a diminutive restaurant that specialises in delicacies like ragú and ravioli. Book ahead to avoid disappointment.
Drink:La Cuite, Via Giuseppe Baretti 11/G
An unassuming vinoteca and cocktail bar that’s easily missed from the street, at the weekend La Cuite is packed to the rafters with young Torinos. There's an excellent selection of local wines as well as reasonably priced tapas (did someone say mini cheeseburger?).
Do:Museo Egizio, Via Accademia delle Scienze 6
Any doubters of Turin’s reverence for cultural institutions need only visit the Museo Egizio, which originally opened in 1824 and was made fit for a pharaoh in 2015. Note the reference – the gallery is home to the most significant collection of Egyptian treasure outside Cairo. Come here to pore over papyrus scrolls.
Explore:Parco Dora, Corso Mortara 60
The area that was once the production site of Fiat and Michelin is today home to a shopping centre and skate park. The space also doubles up as a venue for street food festivals and concerts. Set to take place in July, this year’s Kappa Futur Festival will welcome Jamie Jones and Carl Cox to the stage.
Top Tip:Il Balon di Torino, Piazza della Repubblica
Early birds are sure to catch the worm at this Saturday-morning flea market, located behind Porta Palazzo. Sift through vintage clothing, eclectic art and shabby-chic furniture before your morning cappuccino.
What to wear in Turin
It can get really warm in the summer months – opt for a billowy silhouette that's stylish yet comfortable for daytime exploration. Swap the espadrilles for heels once dusk hits.
Tie Front Shirt in White, £29.95; Cropped Wide Leg Trouser in Stripe, £39.95; Leather Loafer Espadrille in Black, £49.95. All available at Gap.
Aarhus, Denmark
Best for: Chilled-out art lovers. Named European Capital of Culture for 2017, Aarhus is booming with innovative events but, thanks to being surrounded by some of Denmark’s best beaches, it knows how to kick back, too.
Wake Up: Villa Provence, Fredens Torv 12
Fuelled by the owner’s love of France, this boutique hotel brings a touch of Provence to Denmark. The 35 suites are individually designed but wrought-iron beds, floral quilts and clawfoot bathtubs are a theme throughout. The result is a romantic sanctuary with a rustic charm that complements Aarhus' Scandi cool. Rooms from €185 per night.
Eat: Gastromé , Rosensgade 28
New Nordic cuisine is a Scandinavian trend that champions sustainability and seasonal cooking, and it has taken Aarhus by storm. Suss it out at the Michelin-starred Gastromé, a restaurant that makes use of organic ingredients and serves dishes such as pork cheek with truffle. When it comes to the set menu, you can go half-throttle (€84) or full-throttle (€126).
Drink : St Pauls Apothek, Jægergårdsgade 76
With slate walls and low-hanging copper lighting, you’d never guess that this on-trend cocktail bar was once a pharmacy. Pick your poison (or your medicine?) from the imbiber’s guide or sit down for a set menu with cocktail pairings.
Do: ARoS Aarhus Art Museum, Aros Allé 2
Unmissable for its rainbow-coloured walkway that offers panoramic views, ARoS is at the heart of the cultural hype surrounding Aarhus this year. There’s a Grayson Perry exhibition opening in June, while the permanent collection ranges from Golden Age treasures to Warhol.
Explore: Mols Bjerge National Park
Escape the city for the rugged terrain of Mols Bjerge. Carved out during the last Ice Age, the landscape is made up of open pastures and gently rolling hills, ideal for walking or bike riding (when in Denmark…).
Top Tip: “But ohhhh, those summer nights!” Sandy may well have been singing about Aarhus, which basks in a full 17 hours of daylight during the summer months. Come between June and August for happy vibes – you’ll likely find young Danes enjoying barbecues and bonfires on the sands of Den Permanente beach.
Photo: Melinda Chan via Getty Images.
What to wear in Aarhus
Channel Scandi minimalism with this look as you peruse Aarhus' cultural offerings; you'll fit right in.
Peplum Utility Jacket in Dark Green, £59.95; White Crochet Top, £24.95; Wide Leg Jeans, £44.95; Denim Slip-On Sneakers in White, £29.95. All available at Gap.
Porto, Portugal
Best for: Architecture buffs – this laid-back riverside city is a veritable open-air museum, spanning Medieval, Gothic, Baroque, Renaissance, neo-Classical and Brutalist design styles, all atop Roman ruins.
Wake Up:1872 Riverhouse, Rua do Infante D. Henrique 133
Set on the edge of the River Douro in Porto’s Unesco-protected old town, 1872 is a cosy guesthouse with character. Vintage furniture, bright azulejos (tiles) and wild flowers adorn the rooms, two of which have French shuttered doors and Juliet balconies with views over the water. Rooms from €200.
Eat:Cantina 32, Rua das Flores 32
This industrial-chic eatery lists its sharing plates under handy subheadings depending on how hungry you are. Cantina’s cheesecake is a Porto legend, and arrives in a terracotta plant pot beneath a layer of ‘dirt’ (Oreo dust).
Drink:Aduela, Rua das Oliveiras 36
Found on Olive Tree square (guess what you’ll find growing there?), Aduela is an on-trend bar serving an impressive selection of wine and tapas-style nibbles at prices that won’t break the bank.
Do:Bolhão Market, R. Formosa 214
Built in 1882, there’s an old-school, otherworldly charm to this lively food market. Listen to the cries of the fishmongers, sample local cheeses and purchase some port wine to take home.
Explore: Matosinhos
Surf’s up in the seaside suburb of Matosinhos. With waves for all levels, it’s an ideal spot for beginners – surf schools line the boardwalk, jostling for space with beachside shacks serving grilled fish.
Top Tip: Porto’s most iconic dish is francesinha – an impossibly stodgy sandwich filled with cheese, ham, sausage and steak, covered with melted cheese and a tomato-beer sauce. Line up at the bar at Santiago for the best in town. Oh, and it comes with fries.
Photo: Alberto Manuel Urosa Toledano via Getty Images.
What to wear in Porto
Take in the local architecture (and the francesinha!) in this classic A-line style denim dress and nautical flats – you're in Porto, after all.
Sleeveless Tencel Denim Dress, £44.95; Fabric Ankle Strap Dorsay, £39.95; Crossbody Saddle Bag in Black, £34.95. All available at Gap.
Tbilisi, Georgia
Best for: Fashion-forward travellers curious about the crossroads of western Asia and eastern Europe.
Wake Up: Rooms Hotel, 14 Merab Kostava Street
A member of the Design Hotels portfolio, this boutique hotel was once a publishing house and is today a hub for Tbilisi’s creative sorts, who can often be seen using the lounge as a co-working space. Rooms from £152.
Eat:Shavi Lomi, 28 Zurab Kvlividze Street
Something of a legend on the Tbilisi dining scene, this basement restaurant is brought to life with mismatched rugs and market trinkets. Chef Meriko Gubeladze is at the helm, putting a modern spin on Georgian classics. We’re all about the chicken khmeruli, which comes crisp-fried in creamy garlic sauce.
Drink:Vino Underground, 15 Galaktion Tabidze Street
Georgia has been producing wine for over 7,000 years but the trend for natural varieties is more recent. At the time of opening, five years ago, Vino Underground was the only bar specialising in natural wines. With hundreds upon hundreds of bottles to choose from, this brick-vaulted lair is a veritable temple to the good stuff.
Do:Sukhishvili Georgian National Ballet, 1 Petre Melikishvili Street
Forget flouncing tutus, the Georgian style of ballet is an intense, athletic production that features male dancers flying through the air, clashing swords. Inspired by folk traditions, the unique form of dance began as a family enterprise and has survived the Cold War and the break-up of the Soviet Union. Catch a show at the Tbilisi Concert Hall.
Explore: Stepantsminda
With stunning scenery of the Caucasus Mountains, Stepantsminda (also known as Kazbegi) is not to be missed. Drive for just under three hours from Tbilisi and spend the day trekking through impossibly verdant valleys. Too tired to make it back to the city in one day? Check into Rooms Hotel Kazbegi for the night (rooms from £152).
Top Tip: Soak off jet-lag, soothe sore muscles and clear up problem skin with a sulphur bath, Georgia’s answer to a Moroccan hammam. The Royal Bath House has private rooms if you don’t fancy sharing, but the Orbeliani Baths with blue mosaic tiles are more Instagram-friendly.
Photo: Eric Nathan via Getty Images.
What to wear in Tbilisi
A look fit for the ballet and a night of delicious Georgian dining.
Wide Leg Optic Jean in White, £44.95; Striped Crochet Top, £24.95; Denim Jacket, £54.95; Leather Mules in Black, £34.95. All available at Gap.
Valletta, Malta
Best for: Lovers of history (Malta has the greatest density of historic sites in the world) and a good beach (there’s lots of those, too).
Wake Up: Casa Ellul, 81 Old Theatre Street
This was a family home back in the 1830s, and the eight-room boutique retains the feel of a townhouse, featuring elegant balconies overlooking Valletta’s streets. We’re especially taken with the rooftop views and the courtyard, which is littered with classical statues. Rooms from €250.
Eat: Rampila, St. Johns Cavalier
It doesn’t get much more romantic than an evening spent on the terrace of Rampila, which is cradled by the ancient walls of Valletta. The restaurant’s modern Mediterranean menu is all about letting fresh fish sing – try the sea bream or risotto with octopus and shrimp.
Drink: Legligin, 117-119 Santa Lucia Street
Named after a Maltese word that refers to the act of glugging down a drink, this cellar-turned-wine bar is the ideal spot for a nightcap. Settle down to a bottle of Maltese wine and sharing plates cooked the way Mama used to make 'em.
Do: Upper Barakka Gardens, Battery Street
Perched high above the Grand Harbour, these manicured gardens were originally created in the 16th century as a resting place for Italian knights. You can still find nods to the spot’s military past in the battery line of cannon, which are fired every day at noon.
Explore: Gozo
The second of the two inhabited Maltese islands, Gozo is a land of quiet coastlines, hidden coves and nature reserves. It takes just 25 minutes by ferry to reach from Malta (the main island on which Valletta is located). The mythical city of Atlantis is said to be buried beneath these rolling waves…
Top Tip: The best sundowner spot is to be found atop Dingli Cliffs, which as the highest point in Malta offer panoramic views across the Med. Keep an eye out for “Clapham Junction” at the top – a mysterious collection of cart ruts, which no archaeologist has yet been able to explain.
Photo: Billy Stock/robertharding via Getty Images.
What to wear in Valletta
This outfit will take you from beach to sundowner in the chicest way possible.
Crochet Dress, £44.95 (available from 23rd May); Multi-Strap Sandal in Brown, £39.95; Stripe Straw Tote in Blue and White, £34.95. All available at Gap.
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