How many weekends have you wasted, sat on a sofa feeling rough from one (or eight) Old Fashioneds too many the night before? Then, come Sunday evening, you’re more snowed under by the blues than ever – you just had 2 days to escape the urban helter skelter, but you did nothing.
The excuses go one of two ways: no money to do anything or not enough time to go anywhere. Both are flawed.
A weekend in London makes about as much economic sense as trying to fuel your Ferrari FF with red diesel – you’re still going to end up out of pocket. Drinking in the capital is a pricey game – especially once you take into consideration the takeaway, Uber, brunch, etc.
Edinburgh is only an hour’s flight away. Dublin: 1 hour 20. Paris: 1 hour 15. It takes more time to get from Shoreditch to Fulham on public transport.
So, rather than spending your next month regretting your weekend choices, buck the trend and get out of the city. Finish work at 5 (even better take a half day), fly at 7, land at 8.30, arrive at destination at 9 – just about the time you’d be ordering your third round in your local boozer. It should be a no-brainer.
Here are some great destinations within a 2-hour flight from London.
Paris
Flight time: 1 hour 15 minutes
Why? Because Paris is really close to London and a lot can be done over 48 hours in the City of Light. And if you’re in need of a country break but still want to get out of the UK, the first thing we’d recommend doing is taking a half hour train journey to Versailles to visit one of the most impressive and spectacular buildings in the whole of Europe.
What to pack: Paris is the fashion capital of the world, so dressing the part is a key component to the weekend going as planned. Keep it sharp, slick and stylish but never try too hard – the best of the best dressed gentlemen in Paris is that they always look as if dressing beautifully is the most natural thing in the world to them.
Dublin
Flight time: 1 hour 20 minutes
Why? Because everyone needs to get familiar with Ireland at some point in their life, and the weekend is the perfect time to do this. If you’re looking for a country escape but want to do that in Ireland, take a 40 minute car journey to the beautiful fishing town of Skerries on the coast and we guarantee you’ll get the respite you need.
What to pack: Go for something casual, wearable and something that won’t make you stand out like a sore thumb. The Irish are pretty relaxed and something that you’d wear for a big night out in London might be a little too smart for these guys, so stay understated and stylish all weekend. And don’t forget your wellies.
Amsterdam
Flight time: 1 hour 10 minutes
Why? Although Amsterdam may have a slightly sordid reputation due to its very lenient drug laws, we can assure you that this city has so much more to offer than just weed and women. The canals, for a start, are like nothing else we’ve ever seen and the city has such an incredibly strong sense of history that you’d be crazy to miss out on spending the weekend here.
What to pack: The Dutch are pretty stylish: especially in Amsterdam. In amongst the hipsters (and a fair few hippies), you’ll find some of the most stylish men on the street. Be sure to keep up with them by packing your suitcase full of stand-out pieces, like an amazing overcoat, and amazing accessories.
Florence
Flight time: 2 hours
Why? If you’ve been to Florence before, you’ll understand just how incredible this place is. Filled with incredible history, art and architecture, you’ll be sure to get your full dose of culture over 48 hours. And if you’re looking for a countryside escape, you can make the short drive to the Apennine mountains for a fully immersive Italian countryside experience.
What to pack: Keep it light, sleek and wearable. The Italians are all about ease and not trying too hard – so make sure you do the same. Stick to basics, light colours and fresh neutrals.
Barcelona
Flight time: 2 hours
Why? Barcelona is one of those cities where you can do absolutely everything you could dream of being able to do over one weekend, in the same place. You can start the morning on a fully fledged Spanish beach in the centre of the city, the afternoon wandering around museums and soaking in the city’s culture and the evening dancing in the centre with Spanish girls and a belly full of traditional tapas – all of very few other tourists in site.
What to pack: The Spanish are amazing at turning around trends, and so we suggest that you take the most stylish pieces in your wardrobe on the trip. Don’t try too hard though – that will show. Instead keep it casual but make an effort, because the Spanish can tell when you don’t.
Edinburgh
Flight time: 1 hour 20 minutes
Why? Edinburgh is potentially one of the most underestimated cities in Europe, and one with such amazing assets and culture that you’d be hard pressed to find anything that lives up to its standard. Picture a smaller, cleaner and more friendly London and you’ve got it. You can also be in the highlands near Aberdeen in less than 2 hours and the city itself is surrounded by incredible beaches, some within 10 minutes of the city.
What to pack: Keep it relaxed. No Scotsman likes an Englishman who tries too hard. We’re talking t-shirts and sweatshirts but with a bit of an edge, like an amazing overcoat, the perfect beanie or a new pair of shoes.
Prague
Flight time: 1 hours 45 minutes
Why? Because when a city like this is so close to London, you’d be crazy not to go. Prague is one of those extraordinary places where you are instantly immersed in the culture and surrounded by amazing people. The colours; the landscape; the buildings: everything about the city is so rich and strong that you we can promise you’ll find it hard to pull yourself away after just one weekend.
What to pack: Keep it smart: you don’t want to look scruffy in a place like this. Don’t try too hard but make sure that you’re making an effort at all points of the weekend. And yes, that means wearing a shirt during the day – unless you want to look like a rogue stag-do tearaway.
Berlin
Flight time: 1 hours 55 minutes
Why? Berlin is currently the hottest place to go, whether you like partying, culture or just spending time with some of the friendliest locals around. It’s meant to be the new New York of Europe in terms of its appeal, the art galleries, the food, the people and the places. Do not miss out on Berlin.
What to pack: Anything that will make you stand out – in the best possible way. Berliners are stylish to the ultimate degree and you need to make sure that you fit in and do the same. All-black is always a failsafe here too.
Oslo
Flight time: 2 hours
Why? Because Norway is one place that should be on every gentleman’s bucket list for many obvious reasons. Oslo is, in relative terms, pretty small. All of the major sights that you’d want to stop off at, such as the memorable harbour, are within walking distance of the city centre. If you want to get out of the city, take the 10-minute ferry ride to Bygdoy Peninsula for an unforgettable array of attractions.
What to pack: Wear what you would wear in London, just add a layer or two. Keep it stylish, neutral and simple and be sure to not wear anything too outlandish or obnoxious – you’re a gentleman.
Copenhagen
Flight time: 1 hour 50 minutes
Why? Copenhagen is vibrant, to say the very least. The art scene, the shopping, the galleries, the culture and the people truly are all incredible and we would never pass up the opportunity to spend a weekend here. You can take the train to Malmö in Sweden and be in a whole new country in 40 minutes flat, which in and of itself should set Copenhagen out from the crowd for you.
What to pack: Everyone in Copenhagen is ridiculously good looking and ridiculously well dressed, so make sure you maintain that by bringing your most stylish clothing and accessories with you for the weekend.