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The world has many exciting cities that are perfect to visit for a sightseeing city break. Stunning monuments, unique architecture and wonderful natural sights help define many cities. See below for a round-up of the top 10 sightseeing city breaks.

1. St Petersburg

Known as the Venice of the north, St Petersburg’s elegance rivals more familiar destinations like Paris and Amsterdam, although very few destinations can match St Petersburg city breaks in terms of splendour and grandeur. The interiors of St Petersburg’s palaces, churches and cathedrals are simply awe-inspiring.

2. Paris

A traditional favourite and perfect for romantic breaks. Paris, being only six miles in diamete is a fairly compact city allowing you to take in all of the sights in one go. The Eiffel tower, the Champs-Elysees, the arc de triumph and the Mus?du Louvre are just some of the sights on offer.

3. New York

Ney York has perhaps the most famous skyline in the world and the island of Manhattan features some iconic sights such as the Empire State Building, the statue of liberty, Brooklyn Bridge, central park, the Statue of Liberty and Broadway.

4. Rome

City breaks in Rome are full of delightful surprises. Often referred to as a ?living museum’, Rome invites you to enjoy the Coliseum, the Forum, the Vatican, the Pantheon and the Sistine Chapel.

5. Venice

Spend your Venice city break exploring the endlessly picturesque ancient streets and squares, crossing gorgeous bridges and of course travelling on the hauntingly beautiful canals. Sample the wonderful architecture and artistic heritage around St Mark’s Square, including the stunning Renaissance Doges Palace and the Bridge of Sighs. First-time visitors will find a short break in Venice can hardly do justice to the city’s wealth of sights, galleries and museums.

6. Istanbul

There is so much to see and do in Istanbul, a place where east meets west and contrasting cultures combine. Istanbul is perfect for a historical break with its wonderful architecture and mystical atmosphere.

7. Prague

Prague is a city of stunning beauty. Be inspired by picturesque medieval cobbled streets, Gothic church spires, magnificent bridges and gorgeous squares. The popularity of Prague weekend breaks is down to the sheer beauty and range of its architectural heritage, with the wonderful castle area, the cathedral, the cobbled streets of the Old Town and the breathtaking Charles Bridge.

8. Marrakech

Marrakech has the added benefit of being both exotic and close to home, offering a lifetime of memories. Explore the Soukes, watch fire eaters and snake charmers, sample incredible food stalls, dine on romantic rooftop restaurants and generally soak up the atmosphere in an unforgettable cultural adventure.

9. Budapest

Short breaks in Budapest feature one of the most beautiful cities in Europe, packed with elegant architecture, magnificent monuments and dominated by the legendary River Danube. Explore cobbled streets and beautifully restored medieval buildings in Buda and the magnificent Castle District with its museums and fine views of the Danube.

10. Berlin

Berlin short breaks are a feast for lovers of architecture, with 19th and 20th century buildings reflecting every stage of Berlin’s turbulent history. Berlin offers a truly outstanding choice of art galleries and museums making it ideal for a historical break.

This article was written by Travel Guru

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What makes this Hungarian capital an endlessly diverse adventure is the fact that in 1873, two towns (yes, Buda and Pest) on opposite sides of the Danube River united to become known as the Queen of the Danube and one of the largest cities in the European Union today. Brace yourself for the most unique experience in Eastern (or all) Europe as Hungary is an outpost of cultural and linguistic distinction that stands abruptly apart from its Slavic and Germanic neighbors. The Magyar stronghold of Budapest, established around 900 AD by the formidable clan from Central Asia, became the center of the Kingdom of Hungary capable of withstanding the carelessly blundering Ottomans, Habsburgs and Nazis. Discover the grandeur of one of the oldest and most established cities in Eastern Europe!

Take a Bath with the Queen

A great place to start your Hungarian journey is on the Western Bank of the river in Óbuda, the very oldest part of Budapest. Two thousand years of human life surround the excavated Roman city of Aquincum where Europe’s largest open-air amphitheater remains. Main Square is beyond charming with taverns and quaint single story houses and shops. From Óbuda to neighboring Buda, the hilly landscape is sprinkled with ancient Roman and Turkish Baths, fed by some of the 100 thermal springs that run through the area. The Art-Nouveau Gellért Baths in Buda are the most famous to relax in, although the Rudas and Rac baths, build by the Turks 400 years ago, are more interesting and less crowded. All three are located on top of scenic Gellért Hill inside the Citadel, an old military fortification from the 1800s. The pinnacle of Buda is the eponymous Castle Hill where the 14th century Baroque Royal Palace presides imperially over the city.

Grandeur in the City

Cross the historic Széchenyi Chain Bridge, the oldest of nine, and enter Pest, the more compact and metropolitan eastern side of the Danube. A walk along the regal Andrássy Boulevard past stunning mansions will lead to the Hungarian State Opera House, a true gem of acoustic and neo-Renaissance architectural prowess in all of Europe. While in the center of town, visit the noteworthy Inner City Parish Church, which happens to be the first church built in the city. On a grander scale, the enchanting Jewish quarter is home to the largest synagogue in Europe, the Dohány Street Synagogue, complete with an extensive Judaic art collection and Holocaust Memorial. Another monumental must-see is Budapest’s neo-Gothic Parliament building, Europe’s largest and arguably most beautiful. Take a peek at King Stephen’s legendary crown jewels that have been stolen and moved in and out of the country a near comical number of times.

Budapest is truly a traveler’s city. The enormous size offers experiences on every level, from simply local, musical or explorative to historic, artistic or commercial. Budapest is particularly noteworthy for its exceptional array of museums and galleries that litter the city, particularly the Hungary National Museum on Castle Hill, the Museum of Fine Arts, and the Antique Picture Gallery, with the most extensive Spanish collection outside of Spain.

This article was written by Frank Johnson  

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For more information on international travel and discount airfare to Budapest, visit www.cfares.com, your source for cheap airfare on the web.

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