It doesn't always have to be a big vacation. Sometimes a weekend is enough to recharge, take a deep breath, and gather new impressions. Whether you stroll through historic old towns, indulge yourself in a small boutique hotel, or hike through blooming vineyards – a weekend trip brings a breath of fresh air into everyday life and makes life a little bit richer.
We'll show you how to get the most out of a two- or three-day weekend trip – with carefully curated travel ideas that combine enjoyment, culture, and nature. Our weekend trip collections are your treasure trove for spontaneous getaways and planned short trips. Get inspired, discover new favorite places, and embark on little adventures right on your doorstep – or just a short train or flight stop away.
Why a weekend trip is sometimes more relaxing than two weeks of vacation
It's this sense of ease that comes with a weekend trip. No months of planning, no messy suitcases—just a few days out of the rut and into a new environment. Often, it's the little escapes that stay with us the most:
- An early morning coffee overlooking the Lake Constance.
- A walk through the autumnal forests of the Spessart.
- A candlelit dinner in a small trattoria in South Tyrol.
A weekend trip is like taking a deep breath between two long days at work – it gives us new perspectives, awakens the senses and lets us feel again what is good for us.
Browse here for inspiration for your weekend trip
Planning a weekend trip? The best travel ideas for two or three days
Gourmet tour through Franconia: Wine route for a weekend on the Silvanerstraße
Unforgettable Spreewald vacation: Highlights in Lübben, Lübbenau and Burg
Getting to know Lake Bled in Slovenia and the city of Bled
Where should we go? Inspiration for your next weekend trip
Want to escape everyday life but don't know where to go? No problem. Our weekend getaway collections feature numerous ideas—sorted by theme and compiled with meticulous attention to detail:
✨ Cities you can experience in 48 hours – from charming to cosmopolitan
???? Pure nature for the weekend – Hiking trails, national parks and quiet retreats
🍷 Gourmet tours for gourmets – Wineries, regional cuisine and slow food
(I.e. Wellness & Romance – Hideaways for couples and wellness oases
🚗 Road trips & car tours – Panoramic routes for a long weekend
Each of these categories contains carefully selected tips, personal recommendations and practical information on arrival, accommodation and activities.
Our personal favorite places for a 2-3 day break
When we travel, we do so with all our senses. And that's precisely what lies at the heart of our weekend trips: places that touch us. Regions that surprise us. And moments that last. Some of our favorites?
- The Wachau in spring – when the apricots are in bloom and the wine is young and sparkling.
- Regensburg in autumn – where medieval alleys and the idyllic Danube create an incomparable atmosphere.
- The Baltic Sea in winter – because the sound of the sea and clear air are good even in frost.
In our articles you will find exactly these moods – with travel tips, stories and recommendations that make you want to set off.
How to find your perfect short trip
Our weekend trips are more than just lists of destinations—they're invitations to experience them. You can browse the collections, filter by your travel theme, or simply go with the flow. You might find a destination you'd never considered—but that's perfect for you right now.
✅ Filterable by region, travel theme and season
✅ With personal tips for accommodations* (advertisement), cafes, activities
✅ Practical: Information on arrival by Flight* (advertisement) or rental car, packing tips and time management for short trips
Discover & plan now: Your next weekend break is waiting
Sometimes adventure begins with a simple click. Browse our weekend getaway collections, save your favorites, and plan your next getaway. Whether alone, as a couple, or with friends—there are so many places waiting to be discovered.
👉 Be inspired by our personal travel tips
Pack your bag, grab your camera – and treat yourself to a weekend trip full of impressions, relaxation and the joy of discovery.
Because life is too short to wait for the next long vacation.
Questions and answers about a weekend trip
How do I find the perfect destination for my weekend trip?
Choosing the right travel destination largely depends on what you're looking for: Do you want to relax, discover new things, or simply enjoy good food and drinks? We recommend first considering how far you actually want to travel. For two or three days, a destination within three hours' drive is often the best option – whether by car, train, or plane. Then the question arises: nature or city? Culinary highlights or cultural discoveries? In our weekend trip collections, you'll find just such ideas – sorted by theme, region, and preferences, so you can easily find your next travel destination.
What shouldn’t be missing on an enjoyable short break?
A successful gourmet trip begins with choosing charming accommodations—perhaps a small boutique hotel serving regional cuisine or a winery with guest rooms. We pay attention to details like breakfast with homemade jam, candlelit dinners, or a café with a view for the afternoon. It's also important to leave enough time to enjoy the experience without stress—it's better to have fewer itineraries, but with more dedication. One culinary highlight per day is often enough to make the trip unforgettable.
How do I plan a weekend trip without it turning into stress?
The key to a relaxing weekend is slowing down. Don't plan too many activities, but rather focus on one or two highlights per day. Leave enough time for spontaneity between itineraries – a visit to the market, a relaxing break at a sidewalk café, or a detour to a viewpoint are almost always worthwhile. We also recommend arriving early and departing late as possible – this way you can make the most of your weekend without having to rush.
What time of year is best for a weekend trip?
Both spring and autumn are ideal seasons for short trips because many destinations are less crowded and the weather is still pleasant. In spring, blooming landscapes and the first terrace cafés beckon, while autumn delights with wine festivals, colorful foliage, and mild temperatures. Winter also has its charms—for example, for wellness trips or leisurely city tours with Christmas markets. In summer, you should visit particularly popular places as early in the day as possible or opt for lesser-known alternatives.
How do I find good restaurants and culinary experiences locally?
We like to research beforehand on blogs, in regional gourmet guides, or through recommendations from locals. Hosts in small hotels often share their personal favorites—a tip we never turn down. Local markets, delicatessens, and wine shops are also great places to find inspiration. For truly indulgent moments, it's worth booking a special dinner or tasting in advance—be it in a wine region, a country inn, or an innovative city restaurant.
What should I pack for a relaxing weekend?
You need less for a weekend than you think. One well-thought-out outfit per day is perfectly sufficient—ideally comfortable yet stylish enough for dining out. A small backpack for day trips, a good book or magazine for breaks, and a water bottle for the road are especially useful. If you like to take photos or jot down your experiences, your camera or travel journal are a must. And depending on the season, don't forget sunglasses, a scarf, or rain gear.
How can you make a spontaneous short trip a success without long preparation?
A spontaneous weekend trip can be just as fulfilling as one planned long ago – provided you know where to look. We like to use our collection of weekend ideas to find a suitable destination at short notice. Often, it's the simple things that surprise us the most: a small town with good food, a walk along a river, or a winery with a tasting. If the accommodation and the transport are just right, you don't need much extra fluff. Sometimes just a place with atmosphere, good food, and the right person by your side is enough.
What type of accommodation is best for a relaxing wellness weekend trip?
For a truly relaxing wellness weekend, it's not just the location that counts, but above all the atmosphere and amenities of the accommodation. Hotels or resorts that pursue a holistic wellness concept are ideal – meaning they not only offer a spa area, but also value healthy cuisine, tranquility, and personal attention. Adults-only hotels or smaller hideaways with views of the countryside, direct access to nature, and high-quality treatments are particularly recommended. If sustainability is important to you, it's worth looking into certified wellness hotels. In our recommendations, we always make sure that, in addition to saunas, pools, and massages, little extras like yoga classes, herbal baths, or relaxation areas with panoramic views are offered – because these are the details that make the difference.
About the authors
Monika and Petar Fuchs have been traveling the world for over 20 years with a keen eye for delightful experiences, cultural highlights, and regional cuisine. Their weekend trips repeatedly take them to special places – from charming cities and idyllic landscapes to culinary gems. On their blog, TravelWorldOnline, they share well-founded travel tips, personal impressions, and genuine recommendations. Their experiences are based on authentic experiences, meticulous research, and a passion for travel.
More things to know
- Cape Town Tips for Gourmets and Slow Travelers
- Time out in the monastery in Stams Abbey in Tyrol
- Enjoy a break for the soul in these monasteries
- A temporary getaway - three monasteries in Austria
Source: own on-site research. We organized some of the weekend trips ourselves; others were supported by the local tourism authorities. We are very grateful for this. However, our opinions remain, as always, our own.
Text: © Copyright Monika Fuchs as well TWO
Photos: © Copyright Monika Fuchs and TWO
Video: © Copyright Petar Fuchs and TWO
