‘Book through one provider’ – and six other unwritten rules for a relaxing city break

Choose your break buddy carefully
It’s all about chemistry. If you’re a culture vulture, it’s probably not a good idea to head off with someone whose idea of fun is lying horizontal by the pool all day. If you fancy yourself as a bit of a foodie, maybe that friend who’s on a neverending juice cleanse is not your best travel companion. So make your interests clear way before you travel – preferably before you even book. If it helps, put together a shared Pinterest board or book in a phone call or cup of tea with your potential travel companion to make sure you’re on the same page. Trust us – it will help prevent any little holiday tiffs.

Don’t try to cram too much in
Now this is an important one. Trying to do too much is a surefire way to turn a dream trip into a serious slog – it’s meant to be a holiday after all, not an endurance test. So before you start planning, tell yourself that you don’t have to see every single church, flea market or monument that’s listed in the guidebook. Instead, draw up a shortlist. What are the three things that you would be absolutely devastated to miss while you’re there? Make sure there’s space in your itinerary to spend a decent amount of time at those three places and everything else will fall around that. It’s also worth checking TripAdvisor to see what other travellers have said about queuing times.

Take to two feet
Exploring a city on foot is one of the most rewarding activities around, and with the slow travel movement gaining momentum, more and more people are choosing to see new destinations the old-fashioned way. Plus, there’s no danger of getting stuck in a stressful traffic jam or falling off your Segway. Book out one whole afternoon and simply wander around. Who knows what you might discover along the way.

Book through one provider
Planning a holiday is exciting and it’s sometimes tempting to take a kneejerk approach; booking a hotel room here, and a train journey there. But combining everything and booking through one provider will make the process far less stressful. Opting for a package city break with a provider like Jet2CityBreaks also means you’re covered against any niggles, from last-minute cancellations to unforeseen delays. They’re fully Atol- and Abta-protected, offer a 24/7 UK-based customer helpline and trips can be secured with just a £60pp deposit. So whether you’re after a sun-smattered hop to Palma, or a history-drenched jaunt to Krakow, booking it all together is the very best way to keep your blood pressure in check.

Don’t be afraid to change the plan
As the old adage goes, even the best-laid plans can go awry; but embracing this could mean you’ll have a much more relaxing – and potentially exciting – trip. If you get chatting to a local market stall holder or tour guide, and they recommend, say, a beautiful wildflower walk just 20 minutes outside of the city, or a lesser-known museum crammed full of fascinating artefacts, allow yourself the flexibility to explore that, even if it’s at the expense of the highest-rated attraction in your guidebook.

Take tours with the locals
It’s all too easy to follow the swelling crowds on a tour of a city’s most famous sites – but you’re not really getting under the skin of the place. Ideally, you need someone who knows the city streets like the back of their hand. Sites such as ToursByLocals, Withlocals and CityUnscripted are a great way to connect with clued-up local guides who know the ins and outs of their city better than anyone else. So whether it’s hole-in-the-wall tapas tours in Barcelona or street art showarounds in Pisa, you’ll find someone with fascinating stories to tell and an infectious passion for their hometown.

Check for events in the area
Local events can make or break your trip. Before you book, check online for any citywide activities that might have an impact on public transport and openings, such as marathons, parades, concerts or national holidays – after all, you don’t want to arrive somewhere and be confined to your hotel room. On the other hand, there may be events that you’d like to attend and plan your trip around, such as food festivals, open-air theatre shows and music festivals. It’s also worth checking the local tourist board website, as they can be a goldmine of helpful information and tips. Trip made.

With more than 30 destinations to choose from, including stunning Naples and iconic New York, Jet2CityBreaks has something for everyone. Book your hassle-free city break now