20 last-minute getaways

Impromptu breaks often end up being the most fun, so why not pack your bags and visit these places?

Scilly Isles
When city life becomes too much and you need to retreat, the Scilly Isles provide a great option. Located 28 miles off the southwest tip of Cornwall, the beach-fringed islands are great for unwinding. Fly from Southampton, Bristol, Newquay, Exeter or Land's End
(islesofscilly-travel.co.uk) or alternatively take a helicopter ride (islesofscillyhelicopter.com) or ferry (scillonian.co.uk) from Penzance. For a luxury break stay at Star Castle (star-castle.co.uk) on the island of St Mary's. This Grade I listed fortress dates back to 1593.
Visit simplyscilly.co.uk

Gothenburg
Find cutting-edge design shops, quirky hotels and sleek restaurants just a two-hour flight away in Gothenburg. This compact, lively city on the west Swedish coast can be explored in a weekend. Stay at the futuristic Avalon hotel (avalonhotel.se), with its clear-sided rooftop pool, and book a table at Michelin-starred restaurant Fond (fondrestaurang.com). Gothenburg has a large student community, which explains the high concentration of bars and clubs. Most can be found along the Avenyn, including fashion hang out Push (push.se). If you have time, drive along the western archipelago where you can take part in an oyster safari (evertssjobod.se). Visit goteborg.com

Manchester
Manchester may be known as the rainy city but that doesn't have to hamper shopaholics. By rail you can be at Manchester Piccadilly from London Euston in just over two hours. With a sprawling city centre teeming with high street giants and two indoor shopping centres, there's an option for every stylish shopper. Visit Market Street for Primark, Selfridges, Topshop and Zara. There's also Manchester Arndale Shopping Centre (manchesterarndale.com). Alternatively travel to the west of the city for the Trafford Centre (traffordcentre.co.uk). There are more than 230 stores to suit your budget, from Prada to Primark. For post-shopping food, why not check out Gaucho Grill (gauchorestaurants.co.uk) for posh nosh or Kro
(kro.co.uk) for cheaper eats.

Cotswolds
An hour-and-a-half west of London, the Cotswolds is a popular country retreat for British celebrities including Kate Winslet, Liz Hurley and Jilly Cooper. Whether you want to make the most of the outdoor activities or just amble through the beautiful villages, it's a relaxing place in which to spend time. Keen walkers could try paths between Chipping Campden and Broadway (six miles) or Cheltenham and Painswick (17 miles). Those looking for a ramble with less effort could start in the grounds of Berkeley Castle, which is tucked away in secluded meadows and gardens.
For details visit berkeley-castle.com

Belfast
Northern Ireland's latest shopping centre, Victoria Square, situated in the heart of the city, is a great example of old and new styles blending perfectly together. With a dazzling glass dome and a viewing gallery where you can look across the Belfast rooftops, there are 98 shops, an 8-screen cinema and 12 restaurants (victoriasquare.com). After a day's shopping, treat yourself to a stay at a chic hotel. Try one of Belfast's five-star hotels, The Merchant Hotel or the ever-popular Fitzwilliam Hotel (book through luxurybelfast.com).
Visit gotobelfast.com

Cornwall
Just four hours from Paddington, Cornwall provides the perfect relaxing break. With fresh seafood on the county's doorstep, it's a haven for foodies. Head to Padstow where Rick Stein (rickstein.com) celebrates his love of the region with four restaurants. Continue southwards along the coast to Watergate Bay where you'll find Jamie Oliver's restaurant Fifteen Cornwall (fifteencornwall.co.uk). In nearby Newquay is Viner's Bar and Restaurant (vinersrestaurant.co.uk). The countryside retreat is owned by Kevin Viner, Cornwall's first chef to be awarded a Michelin star.

Isle of Man
For a relaxing break, take a short flight from City Airport or Gatwick to the Isle of Man. Begin with a quick trip to Douglas and the free-entry Manx Museum (gov.im/mnh) where you can learn about the history of the island. The glass-enclosed Sound Visitor Centre, on the Isle of Man's southern tip, is also worth a visit. Finally, climb aboard the MV Karina (iompleasurecruises.com) for a boat trip around the island. For ticket costs and timetables look at the blackboards on Villiers Steps on Douglas Promenade.

Lake District
It takes four hours to reach the heart of the Lake District by rail from London. But it's worth the trip to revel in the unspoilt beauty of the country's largest National Park. After exploring the mountains, meadows and lakes, rest your head at one of the region's many boutique hotels. Voted Small Hotel of the Year at the Cumbria Tourism Awards, Overwater Hall (overwaterhall.co.uk) is an elegant 18th century country house set against the dramatic backdrop of Skiddaw and the Uldale Fells. For seclusion that's within walking distance of Lake Windermere, try out The Samling Hotel (thesamlinghotel.co.uk). For a romantic retreat book the award-winning Gilpin Lodge (gilpinlodge.co.uk) which promises tranquility and rooms with outdoor spa baths.
Visit golakes.co.uk

Berlin
Just a two-hour plane hop from London, this all-night party city is packed with charming basement clubs and swanky late bars. Techno music and electronic beats dominate the sound systems: try Icon (iconberlin.de), Tresor.30 (tresorberlin.de) or Golden Gate (goldengate-berlin.de). If you like your music a little more mellow, check out Sophienclub (sophienclub-berlin.de) or Sage Club (sage-club.de). Entry prices depend on the night and the DJs or live acts performing.
Go to visitberlin.de

Barcelona
Actor Nicolas Cage recently described Barcelona as a "celebration of the sun", claiming its sun-worshipping inhabitants were inspired to create works of art that look "alive". This is certainly true of the organic Sagrada Familia (sagradafamilia.cat), Gaudi's giant unfinished cathedral, that's been under construction since 1882. It's a must-see along with Gaudi's Park Güell and Casa Milà. Art fans should take the cable car from the beautiful port up to Montjuic, to visit the Miro Foundation (fundaciomiro-bcn.org) with heart-stopping views across the city. Stroll along the tree-lined La Rambla in the evening to soak up the atmosphere and see the city's performing artists. Flights from Heathrow take two hours.
Visit barcelonaturisme.com

Amsterdam
Imagine a journey to the land of cycling, canals and clogs with no traffic jams and no airport check-in desks. Rail and sail expert Dutch Flyer (www.dutchflyer.co.uk) has made it possible. Just hop on a National Express train at Liverpool Street station to Harwich International port where Stena Line ferries sail to the Hook of Holland. From there it's a 90-minute train ride to Amsterdam. It's easy to hire bikes: Central Station, Leidseplein and Dam Square are all major rental hubs — at just 8 a day. Cycle to the canal neighbourhood and visit the house where Anne Frank lived in hiding for more than two years (annefrank.org). Then head on to the Van Gogh Museum (vangoghmuseum.nl) for an insight into the master painter.

Lyon
Gastronomic and liquid delights are the main lure for visitors to France's third largest city. Stroll through the famous markets and sample the many lively bouchons (Lyonnais family restaurants). Lyon is nestled in the heart of the Rhone Valley, where the River Saone meets the mighty Rhone, but wine lovers jest there is a third river — "Le Beaujolais". Colourful stalls line banks and overflow with cheese, patisseries and flowers, and an eclectic mix of antiques and bric-a-brac. Take a walk through the traboules (passageways) which date back to the Renaissance. To enjoy this UNESCO World Heritage Site to the full, take the funicular to the top of the Fourvière hill and visit the gardens of the basilica of Notre-Dame de Fourvière. Visit lyon.fr