5 Exciting European Weekend Escapes for this Fall

If you’re entertaining the thought of a less than ordinary autumn weekend, you’re not the only one. Whether you’ve recently returned from your holidays or it’s just been too long, a weekend getaway is a marvelous opportunity for top-notch entertainment and exactly what you need to keep going.

Here’s a list of weekend events to satisfy your wanderlust and inspire you to get moving. There’s something to cater to every taste, but apologies in advance: It might be quite hard to choose!

See the Epitome of Speed near the Black Sea

 A city most of us got to know from the 2014 Winter Olympics, Sochi stretches almost 90 miles along the coast of the Black Sea. In fact, it’s one of the longest cities in the world, second only to Mexico City. Sochi boasts a beautiful promenade, colorful churches and fascinating architecture.

Don’t worry about the climate – this Russian resort town is the warmest city to ever host a Winter Olympics event. It also offers a chance to see the Black Sea, the largest concentration of anoxic water in the world.

If you are a car enthusiast, don’t miss the Formula One Russian Grand Prix, taking place in Sochi between the 9^th and 11^th of October. This clash of speed, strategy and engineering sees drivers race up to 200 miles per hour on the Sochi Autodrom, the third-longest F1 circuit in the world. If you’re new to the world of Formula One, here’s a great introduction that will help explain why loyal fans travel the world religiously to witness this type of racing first-hand.

Walk the Pages of a Book in Dublin

The Irish capital is one of the most affordable destinations in Europe and a stone’s throw from London. Dublin, which translates to “Black Pool” in Gaelic, houses the largest urban enclosed park in Europe; the infamous Guinness Factory and Storehouse and majestic St. Patrick’s Cathedral, founded in the 12^th century.

Dublin is a UNESCO City of Literature, thanks to its rich literary and linguistic heritage, and the city boasts four Nobel Prize laureates among its dozens of prominent poets and authors.

This October, from Friday the 23^rd to Monday the 26^th, the Dublin City Council organizes the Bram Stoker Festival, possibly the best way to get in the Halloween mood. Honoring celebrated Dubliner Bram Stoker, this spooky festival seeks to inspire thrills and chills and awake the gothic heart of the city in a series of diverse film, art and literary events spanning four days and nights.

Don’t miss the opportunity to take part in a candle-lit tour of Marsh’s Library in the dead of night or visit the family-friendly pop-up theme park Stokerland.

Witness a Battle of Wits in the Mediterranean

The Mediterranean archipelago nation of Malta is an ideal destination for a weekend getaway, as it packs history, architecture and nightlife in a tiny gem of a country with a surface area of 122 square miles. Head to Malta to enjoy a sunny trip to the beach even in October – after all, it is considered to have the best climate in the world!

The long list of nations that have inhabited it from as early as the 10^th century BC resulted in 320 diverse monuments, most within walking distance from each other – no wonder that Valletta, the capital, is a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site.

From the 20^th to the 31^st of October, Portomaso Casino will host Season 12 of the European Poker Tour. Watching poker games has never been more popular, with live streaming gaining significant momentum in recent years. If you’re not already a fan you’re probably missing out: More than 100 million people play poker worldwide, making it a more popular sport than tennis, billiards or golf.

See for yourself what the poker craze is all about by watching (or joining) the world’s top players in Malta have a scout or read online to get yourself familiar.

Catch up on Contemporary Culture among the Canals

The labyrinthine city of Venice is quite easy to get lost in, so don’t forget to bring a good map. It will help you navigate the 118 tiny islands, 400 foot bridges and 170 canals of this Italian gem. Arguably one of the world’s most romantic cities, Venice is also the setting for three action-packed James Bond films.

Head there before the 22^nd of November for a chance to also get lost in contemporary art. In 2015, Venice Biennale celebrates an impressive 120 years since its first embodiment. It still brings together the world’s leading expressions of art, music, dance, theatre and architecture.

The Giardini houses the works of 136 artists from 53 countries, offering their interpretations of this year’s central exhibition theme: All the World’s Futures. According to The Guardian, this year’s most exciting art hails from Eastern Europe, with Armenia emerging as the winner of the Golden Lion award. Read up on the endless sights, sounds and interactive installations at the official website and plan your weekend carefully.

Feel the Rhythm in Berlin

The cosmopolitan German capital is arguably one of the most fascinating cities to visit in Europe. Berlin features rich history, diverse events, vibrant street art and excellent nightlife in a colorful mosaic David Bowie has described as the “greatest cultural extravaganza that one could imagine.”

The city is home to almost 3.5 million residents, dozens of renowned museums, three active opera houses and more bridges than Venice to help cross its 180km of navigable waterways.

This November, Berlin will also become a worldwide capital of jazz music, as it welcomes the sounds of Jazzfest Berlin for the 51^st year. From the 5^th to the 8^th of November, the annual festival will take part at the Berliner Festspiele arts center, aiming to reflect the influential genre’s continued development. With artists of 30 different nationalities, Jazzfest Berlin promises to satisfy your musical cravings while exploring the future of jazz.

If you like world music, don’t miss the Divan of the Continents concert, featuring many traditional instruments from around the world. Read more on the official website.