Baths are just the ticket . Soak away your stresses at this historical bathouse with its photogenic exterior , where you can also hit the sauna or get a scrub down .
Get there : Fly to Tbilisi from Manchester with Turkish Airlines ( turkishairlines . com ) and Pegasus Airlines ( flypgs . com )
Siena , Italy Many who hear of Siena do so because of the ‘ Palio ,’ a horse race that ’ s held on 2 July and 16 August each year . Pitting riders representing the 17 contrade ( city wards ) of Siena , adorned in the colours and emblems of their district , the race takes place at Piazza del Campo – the city ’ s main square . This Italian institution attracts thousands of spectators , as the piazza transforms into a fan-shaped racetrack complete with sloping surface and tight turns . The winner is determined by the first horse to cross the line , with or without their rider , sparking wild celebrations for the victorious neighbourhood that last long into the night .
If you can visit during Palio week it ’ s definitely an added bonus and a chance to immerse yourself in a centuries-old tradition , but Siena is a destination to be enjoyed year-round . Away from the Piazza del Campo you can take in Siena ’ s old-world streets and appreciate the glorious architecture including the Gothic-style Duomo di Siena ( Siena Cathedral ).
Siena ’ s location , surrounded by the countryside of Tuscany , also makes it a great base for exploring the region ’ s vineyards , rolling hills and scenic towns and villages .
Get there : Fly to Florence from Liverpool with Lufthansa ( Lufthansa . com ) and fly to Pisa from Manchester with Ryanair ( ryanair . com ), easyJet ( easyjet . com ) and Jet2 ( jet2 . com )
Liechtenstein Nestled in the heart of the Alps , sandwiched between Switzerland and Austria , is the picturesque microstate of Liechtenstein . One the world ’ s two double-landlocked nations , sharing the mantle with Uzbekistan , Liechtenstein is a land steeped in natural beauty . With majestic Alpine peaks wherever you look , a walk around this microstate is quite possibly its greatest attraction . Head there in spring , summer or autumn for the best hiking opportunities , whether that ’ s through green fields or wandering around the principality ’ s miniscule towns and cities ( the capital , Vaduz , has a population of just 5,450 ).
Winter is ski season in Liechtenstein and is centred around its resort of Malbun to the east . With 23 kilometres of slopes and a distinct lack of crowds , you can ski , snowboard and sled your way through the Alps in an alternative to nearby Swiss and Austrian alternatives . Aside from sharing a national anthem melody with the British , Liechtenstein has its own cultural offerings and its compact size makes it easy to navigate .
The aforementioned Vaduz is where you ’ ll find Vaduz Castle , official residence of the Prince of Liechtenstein , as well as the highly-rated National Museum , Kunstmuseum and Postal Museum .
Get there : Fly to Zurich from Liverpool with Lufthansa ( lufthansa . com ) and from Manchester with Swiss ( swiss . com ), take the train from Zurich to Buchs SG train station ( sbb . ch ), then either take a bus ( liemobil . li ), taxi or walk across the border
Wroclaw , Poland Some of you may never have heard of Wroclaw . Fewer will know how to pronounce it . Vrot-swaaf , as it ’ s spoken , doesn ’ t necessarily have the ring of an enticing city break , yet it is a fantastic alternative to a Krakow that attracts north of 10 million visitors per year .
Known as the “ Silicon Valley of Poland ,” Wroclaw ’ s charm doesn ’ t so much stem from its wealth of tech companies and startups as it does from its charming Old Town , home to more than 100 bridges and an abundance of historic landmarks . The Cathedral of St John the Baptist is one of the city ’ s enduring icons and serves up the best views of Wroclaw from one of its twin towers , whilst Market Square is at the heart of it all , showcasing traditional Polish architecture across its multicoloured canvas . If nightlife is your thing , Wroclaw has one of Poland ’ s best after-hours scenes and is teeming with many fantastic restaurants , bars and nightclubs that cater to locals , visitors and a large student population that spans the city ’ s 10 universities .
Speaking of its educational institutions , Wroclaw ’ s hidden gem is undoubtedly Aula Leopoldina . Part of the University of Wroclaw , it has historically been used as a venue for academic lectures , scientific debates and cultural events . Named after Emperor Leopold I , who founded the university in 1702 , Aula Leopoldina has a beautiful interior designed in Italian baroque style , decorated with frescoes .
Get there : Fly to Wroclaw from Liverpool and Manchester with Ryanair ( Ryanair . com ) wirrallife . com 65