Italian pilgrimage: The ethereal town of Assisi in Italy is home to the 13th century St Francis basilicaA city break rejuvenates like no other kind of holiday. Leap through that 48-hour window in your autumn calendar and you'll be hauled from the humdrum of daily life and plunged head-first into some of the world's most tantalising urban landscapes.
Sink pastis in a bar in Toulouse, crash through the waves of Venice's Grand Canal in a water taxi or wander Marrakech's medieval alleyways in pursuit of leather slippers in your favourite shade of blue...experiences all on offer within a few hours' flight from the UK.
Monday morning, back at your desk, tie straight, the world looking just a little fresher. Here's a few ideas worthy of contemplation:
ASSISI, ITALYOk, Assisi isn't a city - it's a town with almost 30,000 inhabitants - but if the criteria for a short break is staying somewhere soul-stirring which offers entertainment enough for a long weekend, it more than earns its inclusion here.
In the Perugia region of Umbria (known as 'Italy's green heart'), Assisi has turned religious tourism into an art form. Why? Because St Francis (or San Francesco), patron saint (and man of miracles and universal symbol of peace), was born here.
Whatever your theological persuasions, this walled city, which clings to the scenic slopes of the 1,290m Monte Subasio, is a sight to behold with its Gothic churches, bell towers and cobbled streets.
What to see: The Basilica of San Francesco d'Assisi. It's a World Heritage Site, dates back to the 13th century and is awash with beautiful frescoes.
What to eat: If you're feeling pious then go for brustengolo, a local 'poor cake' that is a flat, yellow dessert densely packed with fruit and nuts.
Get there: Ryanair (ryanair.com) flies into the region's capital, Perugia, which lies about 25km from Assisi.
Marvel at the Alhambra Palace, Granada's legacy to its onetime Moorish rulersGRANADA, SPAINAny city that translates as 'pomegranate', as Granada does, immediately sounds enticing. At the foot of the mighty Sierra Nevada mountains, Granada has all the whitewashed charm, billowing bougainvillea and fabulous food that we've come to expect from the Spanish south.
What distinguishes Granada is that the city remains the keeper of Spain's Moorish past. Home to the 14th century Alhambra Palace - widely regarded as Europe's greatest work of Islamic art, the blood of the city's onetime Arabic rulers still pumps through the veins of the city.
The famous inscription on the russet ramparts of the Alhambra: 'There is no pain in life so cruel as to be blind to Granada' sums up the beauty.
What to see: Marvel at the intricacy of the Islamic inscriptions and motifs that decorate the walls and ceilings of the Alcazaba, the oldest part of the Alhambra.
What to eat: Head for the tapas bars, where giant hams provide both decoration and food. Order a rioja or the local beer - Alhambra 1925 - and you'll be rewarded with one or two free dishes, including specialities such as stewed snails and offal in sauce.
Get there: BA (britishairways.com) and Iberia (iberia.com) both fly to Granada from the UK.
New destinations, new flavours: devour custard tarts in Lisbon and book tickets for the opera in VeronaVERONA, ITALY'O ROMEO, Romeo, Wherefore art...' etc etc. Mr Shakespeare may have ensured tourists will forever arch over Juliet's balcony (on Via Cappello), but there is more to his 'fair Verona' than the Montagues and the Capulets. Verona Arena, for example, dates back to 30AD and once staged gladiatorial battles. Now this Roman amphitheatre hosts some of the world's most famous opera singers on its stage.
The sparkling waters of Lake Garda are less than an hour away from the city; spend an afternoon dipping a toe in the cooling - and clean - waters or exploring pretty lakeside resorts, such as Sirmione, that have attracted everyone from Mussolini to George Clooney.
What to see: An opera of course, but take a cushion with you - no performance ends before midnight and can go on until dawn if rain interferes. Book online in advance at www.arena.it.
What to eat: The Veronese love gnocchi - potato dumplings - served with Parmigiano cheese. For something sweet that evokes the romance of the city, try baci di Giulietta (kisses of Juliet): soft chocolate cookies with hazelnut cream.
Get there: Many airlines connect Verona with the UK including BA (britishairways.com) from London and FlyThomasCook from Manchester (flythomascook.com).
Twin sightseeing with wave-catching lessons in Biarritz, France's blustery Basque surf mecca
BIARRITZ, FRANCE Biarritz perched on the Atlantic coast in southwest France, has been entertaining holidaymakers since both royalty and the literati took a shine to it in the 19th century.
In 2010, soak up the erstwhile glamour with a beachfront walk along Grande Plage or hire a wetsuit and do battle with some of Europe's biggest waves. Just 12 miles from the Spanish border, Biarritz is also a gateway to Camino de Santiago (Road of St James), the famous pilgrim route that attracts thousands of walkers to the region every year.
What to see: Experience Biarritz as Empress Eugenie, wife of Napoleon III, would have done at Chapelle Imperiale, an extravagant palace designed and built in the 1800s. These days it's a luxury hotel (www.hotel-du-palais.com) where guests can take a coffee and soak up one of the best views in town.
What to eat: This is Basque country, so Basque cake - soft sponge studded with black cherries - is a must. Drink Izarra liqueur, concocted using mountain herbs.
Get there: Ryanair (ryanair.com) flies direct from Birmingham Airport and London Stansted.
ROME, ITALY Modern Rome buckles at the knees under the weight of its own history. The city dates back to 753BC and there are antiquities on almost every street corner.
Set around seven hills and dissected by the River Tiber, the Eternal City has endless opportunities for weekenders. Toss a coin at Fontana di Trevi, nurse an espresso in ancient Piazza Navona, blow your budget on designer clothes on Via Condotti and then repent at the Vatican (or at least stand and stare in St Peter's Square).
What to see: The Roman Forum brings Ancient Rome to life. Wander the ruins of temples, arches, public buildings and shops. But be warned: a good guide, good shoes and lots of imagination are essential.
What to eat: Learn to enjoy pasta al dente (literally 'to the bite'), try veal dish saltimbocca alla romana (meaning 'jumps in the mouth') and eat gelato at least once a day during your visit.
Get there: easyJet (easyjet.com), Jet2 (jet2.com) and Alitalia (alitalia.com) are among the many carriers flying from the UK to Rome.
LISBON, PORTUGALLike Rome, Lisbon sprang to life among seven hills and one river: this time the Tagus, which empties out into the Atlantic. The devastating 1755 earthquake robbed the Portuguese city of much of its medieval architecture, but subsequent rebuilding - among the first examples of urban planning - gifted this metropolis with beauty of a different kind. Baixa, Lisbon's liveliest quarter, boasts wide boulevards and elegant squares as well as bustling cafes, retro diners and velvet-lined bars.
What to see: Join the Lisboetas in the twisting lanes of medieval Alfama, which survived the earthquake, or rest your feet and see the best of the city on the No. 28 tram.
What to eat: Custard tarts (pastel de nata) in Belém - you'll dream of them long after you've returned home. Enjoy a glass of vinho verde (green wine) while listening to fadistas, singers of traditional Portuguese music.
Get there: easyJet (easyjet.com) flies to Lisbon from Liverpool, Luton, Edinburgh, Gatwick and Bristol
source: dailymail
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