Getting away from the hustle and bustle of your stressful everyday life has probably never been easier. There is a wide range of options available to pretty much anyone in a place close to an airport like Birmingham, and all it takes is to reach out and make use of them. Nowadays, you don’t even need to do a great deal of preparation before your trip as long as you have an active connection to the Internet and some money saved up. It doesn’t matter if you like exploring other cultures, chilling out at a club, or simply walking down the streets and taking in the local environment – just leave your car at the valet parking at Birmingham Airport and see what the continent has to offer!

Amsterdam

Probably the most popular place for many tourists travelling around Europe, Amsterdam has a unique spirit and a lot to offer for those who like to explore on foot or bicycle. On that note, be prepared to go through a chaotic stream of cyclists all over town as you attempt to make your way through Amsterdam’s streets. It gets tricky if you’re an architecture lover, as you’ll often want to stop and appreciate the various structures all over the place. It may be best if you just set some time aside for that specifically, instead of trying to fit it into your schedule as you’re walking around. It will make things much easier for you throughout your whole trip in general.

Amsterdam has a lot to offer in terms of museums and other cultural experiences as well, so make sure to set some time aside in your trip for that if you don’t want to miss out. The locals tend to be quite friendly too, and you’ll always have lots of opportunities to have a great chat with someone on whatever topics you can imagine. You can find people from all walks of life around here, and there is no shortage of interesting conversations and perspectives on life to explore, especially if you’re more into connecting with others.

Dublin

Another place rich in culture and atmosphere, Dublin is a town that has a little bit of everything and also draws large crowds from all over the world. Like Amsterdam, you’ll appreciate the layout of the place much more if you’re an avid walker, otherwise you should mentally prepare yourself for a bit of an exhausting trip. Don’t worry though – local transport is still more than adequate and can allow you to get around pretty easily.

Renting a bike is a viable option as well, as there are plenty of connections around town that can facilitate a good trip on two wheels. Just make sure that you coordinate yourself well around the locals, as even though Dublin is a popular tourist destination, not everyone may be patient with slower and less experienced riders. On the bright side, if you’re good with your bicycle, you should be able to have a pretty good time around here, as Dublin is well-suited for avid cyclists. Just don’t let that discourage you if you don’t fall in that category, and you should be fine.

Düsseldorf

Germany is a country everyone has to visit at least once, regardless of their origin, and Düsseldorf is easily one of the most iconic towns in the whole area. While most people flock to Berlin as their first choice, they tend to miss out on a lot that a place like Düsseldorf could potentially offer them. It’s a unique combination of German culture and a very international atmosphere, with people from all over the world living here for work, studies, or just for that adventurous kick that the city predisposes to.

Getting around is very easy with local transportation, something the Germans are quite proud of. You can also rent a bike and make use of the plentiful bicycle lanes, or even go on a Segway tour that will take you through most of the city’s important parts in several hours. Keep in mind that the last one can be a bit exhausting for those who like to take their trips at their own leisure and pace though, so if you’d prefer to explore what Düsseldorf has to offer in a more relaxed way, you may want to look for other options.

Vienna

If you’re looking for an experience that will enrichen your cultural perspective and show you as much art as you can handle in one spot, there are few places in the world better than Vienna. After all, it’s known to many as the cultural capital of Europe, and it’s the home to a large number of museums dedicated to art, history, and a wide range of other things that might be beyond most people’s imagination – such as tobacco!

However, don’t be fooled – Vienna still has plenty to offer to those with a wilder side who just want to have a good time meeting new people, hanging out at clubs and events, and generally enjoying themselves in a more social way. There’s no shortage of places to chill out at, both night and day, and the locals can be very friendly and welcoming to tourists – they’re used to large crowds of them anyway.

Don’t be surprised if you meet someone from your country of origin around here either, as Vienna draws people from all over the world for purposes like studying and work, creating a very rich multicultural environment that welcomes everyone. It’s not rare for people to come around for a short visit and end up deciding that they want to stay for longer, and don’t be surprised if you start to get the same cravings yourself as well.

Madrid

Last but most certainly not least, Madrid is where you should go if you are looking for a good mix of culture and entertainment. Another place with a very unique culture and atmosphere, Madrid offers captivating architecture and wide, open spaces for all your photography needs. The local cuisine is great as well, although you might want to be more careful in your exploration in this regard – there is no shortage of tourist traps around here, unfortunately. Once you’ve hit the right spot though, you’ll be in a world of delight if you’re a fan of a good meal.

For the art lovers, there’s also the unique opportunity to view a Picasso original at the Reina Sofia Museum. Seeing the Guernica in person is something that simply can’t be compared to any representation of the painting in another medium, and it’s a moving experience that everyone should have in their lives at least once. And that’s not the only example of an important piece of art that you can see with your own eyes in Madrid, either.

Everyone needs to get away from all the stress around them every once in a while, no exceptions. If you’re feeling stuck in your current position in life and want to give yourself a refresh, just leave your car in the hands of Birmingham Parking, walk over to the terminal with your ticket in hand, and prepare for a week or two of indulging yourself in complete bliss. You deserve it, and you most certainly need it too.