City Breaks

Unknown
  • 5.0 (3)
  • PLACES & TRAVEL
  • EVERY TWO MONTHS

Travel podcasts for city break fans. All the historical and cultural background you need to enjoy your visit.

  1. 1 APR

    Introduction to Stratford-Upon-Avon

    Ok, so Stratford-upon-Avon is not actually a city, but as a town which punches well above its weight historically and culturally, we’re giving it an honorary place in the City Breaks collection.  This is the introductory episode, with a little geographical and historical context and an idea for a first get-your-bearings walk around Stratford.  It will introduce you to Stratford's Tudor gabled houses, riverside setting, swans and boats and, of course, give a flavour of Stratford as Shakespeare's home town, where he was both born and buried and where he bought the town's second biggest house as a retirement pad.  So, with no more ado and as the great man himself might have said, shall we wend? Reading Suggestions Stratford-upon-Avon Quick Trips by Cynthia Atkins A-Z of Stratford-upon-Avon by Will Atkins Secret Stratford by Nicholas Fogg Shakespeare The Biography by Peter Ackroyd Links for this Episode Visit Stratford-upon-Avon  Guided walks around Stratford  City Breaks: all the history and culture you'd research for yourself if you had the time! Check our website to find more episodes from our Stratford-Upon-Avon series or to browse our back catalogue of other cities which are well worth visiting: https://www.citybreakspodcast.co.uk We love to receive your comments and suggestions!  You can e mail us at citybreaks@citybreakspodcast.co.uk And if you like what you hear, please do post comments or a review wherever you downloaded this episode.  That would be very much appreciated!

    30 min

  2. 4 MAR

    Paris Episode 24 Vincennes and St-Germain-en-Laye

    Both Vincennes and St Germain-en-Laye make excellent days out from Paris, or even half days as both can be reached by public transport in less than half an hour.  Each has a magnificent castle to visit, plus a range of other cultural, relaxation and shopping possibilities.  So this episode tells you how to get to each place, following up with what there is to see and do there, plus – bien sûr! – a few of the interesting historical snippets which will inform your visit.   Links for this post Château de Vincennes Vincennes Tourist Office Château de St Germain-en-Laye St Germain-en-Laye Tourist Office Espace Vera Debussy’s Birthplace   City Breaks: all the history and culture you'd research for yourself if you had the time! Check our website to find more episodes from our Paris series or to browse our back catalogue of other cities which are well worth visiting: https://www.citybreakspodcast.co.uk We love to receive your comments and suggestions!  You can e mail us at citybreaks@citybreakspodcast.co.uk And if you like what you hear, please do post comments or a review wherever you downloaded this episode.  That would be a big help!

    28 min

  3. 3 FEB

    Paris Episode 23 Fontainebleau and Vaux-le-Vicomte

    This Paris episode covers two of the most beautiful châteaux in the Paris region.  Both are easy to reach on public transport and both have fascinating stories to tell.  We cover how to get there, what you can expect to see and make sure we cover the most interesting tales – François I’s show-off gallery, Napoleon’s refurbishment to impress the Pope and the party-to-end-all-parties which went ended in disaster and ruination.   Reading Suggestion Francis I, The Maker of Modern France by Leonie Frieda    Useful Links Château de Fontainebleau      Château de Vaux-le-Vicomte        City Breaks: all the history and culture you'd research for yourself if you had the time! Check our website to find more episodes from our Paris series or to browse our back catalogue of other cities which are well worth visiting: https://www.citybreakspodcast.co.uk We love to receive your comments and suggestions!  You can e mail us at citybreaks@citybreakspodcast.co.uk And if you like what you hear, please do post comments or a review wherever you downloaded this episode.  That would be a big help!

    27 min

  4. 7 JAN

    Amsterdam Episode 12 An Amsterdam Anthology

    Our Amsterdam Anthology rounds off the series by offering some different perspectives on the city. Here, you’ll find Amsterdam seen through the eyes of writers, some from the past, many contemporary: travel writers, journalists, novelists and an author of short stories.  Between them they provide lots of different ways to get to know – or reminisce about! – the city and, we hope, plenty of inspiration for further reading.   Reading Suggestions  My Dam Life by Sean Conlan  Amsterdam Stories by Nescio Amsterdam by Ian McEwen The Coffee Trader by David Liss The Miniaturist by Jessie Burton The House of Fortune by Jessie Burton Tulip Fever by Deborah Moggach   City Breaks: all the history and culture you'd research for yourself if you had the time! Check our website to find more episodes from our Amsterdam series or to browse our back catalogue of other cities which are well worth visiting: https://www.citybreakspodcast.co.uk We love to receive your comments and suggestions!  You can e mail us at citybreaks@citybreakspodcast.co.uk And if you like what you hear, please do post comments or a review wherever you downloaded this episode.  That would be a big help!

    31 min

  5. 10/12/2025

    Amsterdam Episode 11 Food and Shopping

    This episode in two halves starts with food in Amsterdam; the street snacks you’ll want to try, the Dutch specialities to look out for in restaurants and a brief introduction to the city’s favourite ethnic cuisine, namely Indonesian.  If you don’t know your drop from your rijsttafel, help is at hand.  After a brief word on bier and jenever (Dutch gin) and a look at the Heineken Experience and the city’s Brown Cafes, it’s time for shopping: a tour of the best markets and a visit to the two best areas for wandering, browsing and maybe making a purchase or two.   LINKS FOR THIS POST Kaaskamer Amsterdam Foodie guide to Indonesian restaurants I love Amsterdam post on pancakes  Van Wonderen Stroopwafel   Het Oud-Hollandsch Snoepwinkeltje  Café Chris   Café Hoppe   The Heineken Experience  I am Amsterdam post on the best breweries to visit in Amsterdam   Bloemenmarkt    Waterlooplein Flea Market    Previous Episode   Tulips and diamonds   Next Episode coming very soon.   City Breaks: all the history and culture you'd research for yourself if you had the time! Check our website to find more episodes from our Amsterdam series or to browse our back catalogue of other cities which are well worth visiting: https://www.citybreakspodcast.co.uk We love to receive your comments and suggestions!  You can e mail us at citybreaks@citybreakspodcast.co.uk And if you like what you hear, please do post comments or a review wherever you downloaded this episode.  That would be a big help!

    30 min

  6. 05/11/2025

    Amsterdam Episode 10 Tulips and Diamonds

    Tulips and diamonds: both figure centrally in the story of Amsterdam.  The Netherlands is known as the ‘flower shop of the world’ and a visit to Amsterdam’s flower market a must for any visit.  Equally, you will surely want to explore Amsterdam’s heritage as the ‘City of Diamonds’.  This episode brings a little background history on both topics, plus ideas for three places to visit to find out more.   Reading Suggestions  The Tulip by Anna Pavord    Tulip Fever by Deborah Moggach    Links for this post The Tulip Museum  The Diamond Museum   Royal Coster Diamonds    City Breaks: all the history and culture you'd research for yourself if you had the time! Check our website to find more episodes from our Amsterdam series or to browse our back catalogue of other cities which are well worth visiting: https://www.citybreakspodcast.co.uk We love to receive your comments and suggestions!  You can e mail us at citybreaks@citybreakspodcast.co.uk And if you like what you hear, please do post comments or a review wherever you downloaded this episode.  That would be a big help!

    22 min

  7. 01/08/2025

    Amsterdam Episode 09 Van Gogh, the Man and the Museum

    This episode covers everything it's good to know before you visit the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam: a brief biography of Vincent himself, followed by tips on what to look out for in the museum dedicated to his work.  To finish, there are ideas for 3 more arty venues to visit in Amsterdam if you want to investigate the city's modern art and street art offerings.     Reading Suggestions  Van Gogh The Life by Steven Naifeh and Gregory White Smith The Letters of Vincent Van Gogh Van Gogh The Complete Paintings by Ingo F. Walther and Rainer Metzger    Links for this post Van Gogh Museum   Stedelijk Museum  NDSM Loods  Straat Museum  City Breaks: all the history and culture you'd research for yourself if you had the time! Check our website to find more episodes from our Amsterdam series or to browse our back catalogue of other cities which are well worth visiting: https://www.citybreakspodcast.co.uk We love to receive your comments and suggestions!  You can e mail us at citybreaks@citybreakspodcast.co.uk And if you like what you hear, please do post comments or a review wherever you downloaded this episode.  That would be a big help!

    28 min

  8. 25/06/2025

    Amsterdam Episode 08 Rembrandt, Vermeer and the Rijksmuseum

    This episode revolves around Amsterdam's top art gallery, the Rijksmuseum.  It starts with a little history,  explaining how art came to be of such importance in Amsterdam's  Golden Age in the 17th century, then continues with some biographical details on the two top artists from the era, Rembrandt and Vermeer.  It finishes with pointers to some of their best-known works, plus ideas for other highlights to look out for when visiting the gallery.   Reading Suggestions Tulip Fever by Deborah Moggach   Vermeer by Christopher Wright  Rijksmuseum guidebook      Links for this post The Rijksmuseum   Rembrandt House Museum    Old World Voyages blog    Essential Vermeer  Simon Schama, Great Gallery Tours, the Rijksmuseum  City Breaks: all the history and culture you'd research for yourself if you had the time! Check our website to find more episodes from our Amsterdam series or to browse our back catalogue of other cities which are well worth visiting: https://www.citybreakspodcast.co.uk We love to receive your comments and suggestions!  You can e mail us at citybreaks@citybreakspodcast.co.uk And if you like what you hear, please do post comments or a review wherever you downloaded this episode.  That would be a big help!

    25 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
3 Ratings

About

Travel podcasts for city break fans. All the historical and cultural background you need to enjoy your visit.

Information

  • Creator
    Unknown
  • Years Active
    2018 - 2026
  • Episodes
    250
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2026 All Rights Reserved
  • Show Website
    City Breaks

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