09 Aug 2018
Get more from your annual leave with Flightgiftcard's recommendations for exploring multiple European destinations in one trip
Brits love to travel, but limited annual leave allowance and an overwhelming choice of destinations can make holiday planning difficult. Why not cross borders this summer and tick off a few more places from your bucket list?
Here, cross-airline gift card brand, Flightgiftcard, provides a round-up of five of the best twin-country trips in Europe that take less than 10 days.
- Charming Baltic cities: Lithuania & Latvia
Flight times: 2.35hrs Vilnius to Riga (Air Baltic)
Vilnius, the capital of Lithuania, has the largest Unesco-listed Old Town in Europe, with highlights including the Gate of Dawn and gothic St. Anne's Church. Wander the maze of cobbled streets, taking in the impressive baroque buildings and orange-roofed houses.
Escape the city with a day trip to Trakai, 28km west of the capital, a small-town set on a narrow peninsula between three lakes, and see the spell-binding castle and unique wooden houses built by the Turks in the 14th century.
Neighbouring country Latvia, can be reached by a short flight, with capital city, Riga, bursting with art nouveau architecture and bustling markets; it's also a cultural centre with many museums and concert halls.
Riga blends tradition and cutting-edge cool, combining centuries-old Gothic spires with a lively night time scene.
- The world's happiest nations: Denmark & Sweden
Flight times: 0.50hrs Copenhagen to Gothenburg (Scandinavian Airline System)
Two of the happiest countries in the world are also conveniently located close together. Starting in Copenhagen, enjoy a cycling tour in the bike-friendly city centre and watch the ships at Nyhavn harbour. Also visit the Freetown Christiana commune and try a smorgasbord of typical Danish cuisine, including open sandwiches of herring and prawns served on rye bread.
Just 50 minutes' flight away is the Swedish town of Gothenburg, known for its canals,leafy boulevards, and popular theme park, Liseburg. Stroll the streets and take in the characteristic ochre-coloured buildings, harbourside cafes and museums for a dose of culture.
- Live like a local: Germany & Switzerland
Flight times: 0.55hrs Munich to Zurich (multiple airlines)
Munich is the capital city of Bavaria in south Germany, famous for its Oktoberfest beer festival. Soak up the atmosphere of the historical inns by sampling some local beers and visit famous cliff-side castles, including Neuschwanstein, Blutenberg and Hohenschwangau for a hit of history.
Cultural and contemporary, the Swiss city of Zurich is less than an hour away and is regarded as one of the world's most liveable cities. As a global banking and financial hub, this wealthy metropolis has also emerged as one of central Europe's hippest destinations thanks to a thriving culture of street art and live music.
Live like a local by wandering the winding lanes and enjoy a coffee at one of the many cafes lining the picturesque Altstadt (old town), set along the banks of the Limmat River.
- Cafés and culture: Austria & Slovenia
Flight times: 0.50hrs Vienna to Ljubljana (Austrian Airlines)
The Austrian capital, Vienna, is crammed with historical delights thanks to a legacy shaped by artists and intellectuals, including Mozart, Beethoven and Sigmund Freud.
Visit the Schonbrunn Imperial Palace and Hofburg Plaza, then head to the Museums Quartier district to see the city's world-renowned art collection, including works by Gustav Klimt.
A visit to Vienna wouldn't be complete without sampling the famous desserts. Opt for the Schokoladentorte and you won't be disappointed!
Just 50 minutes' flight away is Slovenia's capital city, Ljubljana; famed for its pastel pink houses and curved Ljubljana River, lined with outdoor cafes. Ljubljana has many museums - including the National Museum of Slovenia - and is regarded as one of Europe's greenest and most liveable cities thanks to an abundance of parks.
- Outdoor adventures: Norway & Faroe Islands
Flight times: 1.20hrs Bergen to Faroe Islands (Atlantic Airways/Scandinavian Airlines)
Bergen, Norway's second city, is known as “the gateway to the fjords.” The city is surrounded by mountains, including the country's longest and deepest fjord, Sognefjord.
Hike up Floyen Mountain (or take the hillside tram) for panoramic views and to explore the walking trails, with difficulty levels set from beginner to advanced. Check out the colourful wooden houses on the city's old wharf and try typical Norwegian cuisine, including Smorbrod open sandwiches, and of course, fish!
From here, take a short flight to the majestic Faroe Islands; a cluster of 18 rocky, volcanic islands connected by road tunnels, ferries and bridges. The islands' mountains, valleys and grassy heathland, plus steep coastal cliffs, make this a hiking and bird-watching paradise.
The capital of Tórshavn is the largest city on the Faroe Islands, with a busy harbour, 18th century churches, tiny Old Town and rows of brightly painted wooden houses.
-Ends-
Notes to Editors:
Flightgiftcard & Hotelgift co-founders, Loes Daniels & Jorik Schroder, are available for interview or comment upon request.
For further press information contact:
Jo Kendall | Julie Aguilera Rooster PR
T: +44 (0) 20 3440 8930
E: flightgift@rooster.co.uk | Hotelgift@rooster.co.uk
W: www.rooster.co.uk
About Flightgiftcard & Hotelgift:Flightgiftcard is the world's only flight gift card brand. Hotelgift is the number one hotel gift card brand.
With no catch and no limitations, Flightgiftcard and Hotelgift's monetary value provides giftees complete freedom to book wherever and whenever they want.
Both gift card options can be redeemed, via the Flightgiftcard and Hotelgift website, for flights with over 300 airlines, and over 110,000 hotels worldwide.
With short and long-haul flights to 980 destinations across the globe, recipients of a Flightgiftcard will find flights to suit all budgets and requirements.
Flightgiftcard & Hotelgift offers a choice of three simple options to deliver the delight:
- A customisable, digital gift card that can be emailed to the recipient, or printed for hand delivery.
- A luxury printed gift card with a handwritten message (shipping takes 2-4 working days).
- A recorded video greeting that can be sent alongside the ecard.
Flightgiftcard launched in February 2018 in the UK following the success of sister brand, Hotelgift.
Set up in the Netherlands in 2014 and operating in the UK from July 2016, Hotelgift launched officially in the UK on 21 November 2017.