I always get it excited when I see a good offer for a short 2-night city break in Europe. However, my excitement almost always fades to disappointment as I realise that it involves unsociable flight times and departs midweek – I want to save my annual leave for longer trips away!
Although most think that travelling abroad in winter is a great opportunity to seek out some sunshine, I think visiting cooler climates can be just as good, if not better. For starters, it’s often cheaper than seeking out the sun. Plus who can resist the charm of a Christmas market?
For me, a perfect winter getaway involves:
• Depart on a Friday afternoon/evening – not too late otherwise check-in will be closed.
• Christmas or winter activities - to help get into the festive spirit.
• Less than £150pp – this near to Christmas means travelling on a budget!
• Return on a Sunday afternoon/evening – not too late, got to be fresh for work in the morning!
I thought I’d share some of my research, starting with a trip to Toulouse in South-west France. If there is any interest in this post then I’ll pop up a couple more trips in the coming days.
Toulouse is a beautiful city, sometimes referred to as the "Pink City" as terracotta bricks were used in many buildings. Despite its historic charm, Toulouse is the centre of the European Space Industry. The Canal du Midi that runs through Toulouse is one of two UNESCO world heritage sites in the area. WIth plenty to see and do, I'd highly reccomend visiting Toulouse.
Key information
• Average temperature: 10c (49f)
• Currency: Euro
• Lanuguage: French (English widely spoken)
• Flight time: 1h 50m
• Christmas market: Yes, opens on 24th November
• Flight cost: £36.51 (no frills so make sure you pack hand luggage only!)*
• Accommodation cost: £45.50 per person (based on 2 sharing)*
*Prices correct as of 30th August 2017
Getting there
Getting to Toulouse is nice and easy. For this itinerary you will be flying from Stansted and returning to Luton. My preferred method of getting to Stansted airport is the National Express coach from central London as it’s cheap and reliable. For getting back into London I prefer to get the train as it’s much quicker and when booked in advance, it’s also pretty cheap.
Once you’ve landed in Toulouse it’s as easy to access the city centre via a 20-minute bus ride. The buses leave every 20 minutes and it costs 15euros for a return ticket.
Where to stay
I love to stay in an Airbnb property whilst I travel in Europe. Often it is much cheaper than a hotel and the host can often give you great tips to avoid any tourist traps and see the real destination.
I love the look of this flat. It’s only a five-minute walk from the airport shuttle bus and at a total cost of £91 for 2 people (including service fee and France’s tourist tax), it’s the perfect base for a couple of nights. It has 18 5-star reviews so I wouldn’t hesitate to book this flat.
What to do
You arrive just in time for the opening of the Christmas market (marché de noël) at Place du Capitole in the heart of Toulouse. With approximately 120 stalls selling everything from hot chestnuts to handcrafted jewellery; you’ll certainly enjoy browsing. A nice glass of hot mulled wine or an indulgent hot chocolate will keep your hands warm as you browse through all the goodies.
Taking a walking tour can be a great way to see a city. You often find that the tour guide is a local who can answer any questions you may have. If a tour is a bit out of budget; it’s still worth taking a walk. The Toulouse tourism board has a recommended route that takes you to some of the most famous sights including The Carmelites Chapel, Saint-Sernin Basilica, Bernuy Private Mansion, and the Jacobins Convent.
If the weather is particularly bad, head to the AvalonIf the weather is particularly bad, head to the Avalon pub on a Saturday lunch time. It has everything you’d expect from a good pub such as great burgers and a selection of drinks including a wide range of speciality beer. As an unusual twist, you can pay 7 euro and experience virtual reality on a new scale – 8 cameras track you so you can move around and see it in real time. The fun doesn’t end there though, some tables have built in games to allow you to pass the time as you wait for your food to arrive.
At this price, a trip to Toulouse is a no-brainer. If you end up going, please let me know if you enjoyed your visit as I'd love to know. If you've been before please add some hints and tips! If you've enjoyed this article then let me know and I'll put together some more budget getaway guides in the near future. Thanks for reading!