Have a hygge holiday in one of Europe’s most charming destinations
Bern, Switzerland
Few cities have managed to retain their historic features quite as successfully as the Swiss capital. Bern’s Old Town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and, with its medieval feel, fountains, sandstone facades, narrow streets and historic towers, is charming and pretty. The elevated Rose Garden above the Bear Park and the 101 metre-high cathedral tower offer the best views of the Old Town, around which the River Aare flows. There are plenty of shops, bars, cafes and cabaret stages to discover, as well as pop-up bars and cultural exhibits, too. Plus – in case you needed any more convincing – Bern is also Switzerland’s beer capital, with a wealth of microbreweries to explore and craft ales to sample.
● Stay at the Hotel Savoy in Bern, where rooms start at £170 per night, including breakfast ([Hotelsavoy-bern.ch/en]{href='http://at £170 per night, including breakfast (' target='_blank' rel='noreferrer noopener'}). For more information and ideas, go to Bern.com/en.
Kaunas, Lithuania
Kaunas, a city in South Central Lithuania, has been named European Capital of Culture 2022 and, with over a thousand events and festivals taking place, there’s never been a better time to visit. The city was Lithuania’s capital in the interwar years and its architecture is a mix of Art Deco and modernist styles. Check out the unmissable Archangel Church and Liberty Avenue, Vytautas Magnus War Museum, the Aleksotas Funicular – one of the oldest cable cars in Europe – and the Romuva Cinema. Kaunas Art Deco Museum takes a deep dive into all things Art Deco, with real-life interwar stories and Bauhaus furniture, too. Elsewhere, the city’s walls are spruced up with gigantic graffiti murals to convert the whole place into an impressive open-air art gallery.
● Stay at the conveniently located Victoria Hotel Kaunas, where double rooms start from £87 per night, and there’s an onsite spa and a great restaurant to wine and dine in. Go to Hotelvictoria.lt for more information.
Copenhagen, Denmark
Autumn is the ideal time to practise the Danish art of hygge in Copenhagen, where Danes fight the darkness with candles and twinkly lights, gløgg (mulled wine), hot chocolate and pastries, blankets, warm fires and oversized scarves. There’s plenty to see and do – wildlife watchers should check out Copenhagen Zoo and Den Blå Planet aquarium, while art fans will love the SMK (the largest art gallery in Denmark). For fun and thrills, head to the charming amusement park Tivoli Gardens or, for a change of pace, visit the city’s Nyhavn waterfront area. Originally a busy commercial port and famously once home to author Hans Christian Andersen, the houses here have been beautifully renovated and the area is now bustling with cafes and restaurants.
● Stay at the Andersen Boutique Hotel, located in the heart of the hip Vesterbro, just 200m from the station and a five-minute walk to Tivoli Gardens. British Airways are offering two nights at the four-star Andersen Boutique Hotel from £199 per person travelling on selected dates until 30 November. Includes economy return flights from London Heathrow, and accommodation with breakfast. Visit Britishairways.com/en-gb/destinations/europe/denmark.
Trento, Italy
Tucked inside the lower reaches of the Alps, the Northern Italian region of Trentino is famous for its Dolomites (a UNESCO World Heritage Site), stunning landscapes, olive groves, rich history and historic towns and villages. Its capital city, Trento, boasts magnificent views of the mountains and a great variety of monuments, castles and culinary delights – perfect for an autumnal getaway. Recognised as the greenest city in Italy, it’s buzzing with bars and restaurants and has plenty of Roman relics, churches and cathedrals to discover, as well as a gorgeous main square and Buonconsiglio Castle. Don’t miss sipping an aperitivo at Belvedere di Sardegna – a lookout point that’s 1,200ft above the city.
● Enjoy five nights at the three-star Villa Madruzzo Hotel and Restaurant from £655 for two, on a B&B basis. Return flights from London Gatwick to Verona cost £66 (Easyjet.com). For more information, go to Visittrentino.info/en.
Budapest, Hungary
Budapest
Autumn and winter are the perfect times to visit Budapest – the streets are lit with fairy lights, steam swirls around the hot baths and, from 19 November, the Christmas markets are open. Discover the Hungarian capital’s baroque, neoclassical and art nouveau architecture, appreciate its past – poignantly presented by bullet holes and shrapnel marks on buildings from World War II and the 1956 uprising – and its thriving modern foodie scene. Plus, if the autumnal air is chilly, you can warm up in the city’s many hot spring bathhouses. Choose from Turkish, art nouveau or modern establishments – all boast great health benefits as well as offering fun and relaxation.
● Travelzoo is offering three nights at the luxurious Ritz-Carlton Budapest from £279 per person, including return flights and daily breakfast. Several departure airports and travel dates are available – go to Travelzoo.com for more information and to book.
Words: Jo Chapman.