9 European city breaks you can enjoy for just £38…

IJMUIDEN

As you dock in IJmuiden, expect serenity and adventure away from the chaos of Amsterdam.

Lovers of water sports will find everything from kitesurfing and paddleboarding to blo-karting here, (think go-karting along the sand, with a sail). Those looking to lie on the beach with a good book won’t be disappointed either.

What to see: The 19th century Fort IJmuiden holds UNESCO World Heritage status. History buffs can also visit a former WW2 German bunker.

What to do: Aside from beach day after beach day, take a trip to the nearby town of Beverwijk and explore the largest covered market in Europe.

Eat: Seafood is the name of the game here, and none do it better than the Michelin-starred Puur Zee. It’s pricey, but worth it.

Drink: Makai is right on the beach front and oozes that laidback, surfer vibe. Sink one of their craft beers as you watch the sunset over the water.

Stay: Sleep tiny house style at Basecamp Ijmuiden, which offers boutique, uber sustainable holiday homes and ultimate beachside vibes.

THE HAGUE

Driving time from IJmuiden port: 58 mins

The Dutch seat of government is known the world over for the grand mansions and embassies that line its streets.

Yet this palace-packed city is also crammed with culture, with world-famous artwork and shopping boutiques topping the bill of tourist attractions.

What to see: Scheveningen beach is the most popular stretch of sand in the Netherlands and is a hotspot for anyone looking to swim, surf, snack, stretch their legs and sun their skin.

What to do: Shop ‘til you drop in De Passage – the UNESCO-listed, 19th century arcade bursting with luxury boutiques, department stores and artisan producers.

Eat: Bloem is a cosy café framed by foliage and serving up the most tempting of sweet treats. Their High Tea offers a little of everything.

Drink: The only tiki bar in town sums up that quintessentially Dutch attitude to life: relaxed, fun and a little off-the-wall. Their rum-based cocktails will loosen you up.

Stay: Where else, but Hotel Des Indes. The Hague’s most historic hotel has played host to everyone from Tsar Nicholas II and Winston Churchill to Anna Pavlova.

BRUSSELS

Driving time from IJmuiden port: 2 hours 40 mins

Yes, those hot Belgian waffles dripping in syrup and dusted with sugar are a major draw. But a Brussels city break is bursting with new discoveries to be made.

Art nouveau architecture gives way to quirky street murals; world-famous galleries rub shoulders with underground performance venues, and a bustling city opens out onto urban parks. The devil is in the differences here.

What to see: Stroll through Brussels and you can’t miss the huge, comic book-style murals, with plenty of local hero Tintin. Download a map so you see them all.

What to do: If you only do one thing in Brussels, make it the Bozar. The city’s cultural centre is the place for art, live music, cinema and epic architecture.

Eat: In this city, you’re going to want to eat waffles. For the best around, head to Maison Dandoy – this family business have been baking in Brussels for 180 years.

Drink: Overlooked by tourists, the Chasseurs Ardennais Market is where fruit veg, cheese and deli stalls rub shoulders with mobile wine bars.

Stay: B&B Maison Flagey gives you the opportunity to stay in an authentic art nouveau mansion. A relaxed retreat just two miles from the heart of Brussels.

FRANKFURT

Driving time from IJmuiden port: 5 hours 4 mins

One of Germany’s most popular cities is the hub for the biggest Autobahn interchange, train station and airport in the country.

Not that Frankfurt’s lacking in culture because of it. You’ll find some of the largest music, book and car festivals in the world here, along with high-end shopping, medieval architecture and a veritable hive of activity day and night.

What to see: If music’s your thing, check out concert series Music Sneak – essentially a blind date of gigs, where acts are only revealed as they walk onstage.

What to do: Apfelwein is the name of the drinking game in Frankfurt – combine it with a tour of the city’s major sights on the weird and wonderful Ebbelwei-Express.

Eat: Discover the best of Frankfurt café culture on the upper Berge Straße. For arguably the best sushi in the city, head to Berger Streetfood.

Drink: Fans of gin should head to Logenhaus Bar – a historic villa brimming with vintage antiquities and some 80 varieties of the spirit.

Stay: The hotel. The myth. The legend. Roomers is a seductive sleeping spot termed ‘the epitome of burlesque elegance’ amid the Frankfurt metropolis.

BERLIN

Driving time from IJmuiden port: 7 hours 20 mins

Germany’s capital dates back to the 13th century and boasts a wealth of historical attractions.

But there’s more to this sprawling metropolis than its past – a city break to Berlin will uncover epic foodie fare, cultural festivals, parks and waterways and, of course, a world-famous night-time offering as Europe’s clubbing capital.

What to see: The East Side Gallery. What was once the Berlin Wall is now decorated with 101 iconic murals and is a popular spot for a beer by the river.

What to do: Head to Mauerpark on Sunday for the biggest flea market in Berlin. Make sure you don’t miss weekly outdoor singing session, Bearpit Karaoke, either.

Eat: If it’s authentic German cuisine you’re after, Kumpel & Keule offers modern creations based on traditional German butchery, plus homemade schnapps.

Drink: Glitter, furry walls and flashing Madonnas combine to deliciously tacky effect in Roses, an unrestrained dreamland for LGBTQ+ drinkers and dancers.

Stay: Thanks to its enviable location and decadent, Manhattan-townhouse vibe, Hotel Zoo Berlin is a winner for clubbers, couples and families alike.