Three trips worth taking, picked every Friday, plus a 48-hour plan for every city worth the journey.
23–25 October
Until Sun 25 Oct
Amsterdam Dance Event: the world's biggest club and electronic music week, in its 30th edition.
23–26 Oct
Bram Stoker Festival: Dublin's gothic Halloween festival, with free outdoor events.
Until 1 Nov
Halloween at Tivoli: pumpkins, lanterns and scare houses in the historic gardens.
Full write-up on FridayPast weekends
Christmas marketsMulled wine, carols and lights in the old town18 weekends
Winter sunBlue skies when home is grey6 weekends
Food and drinkCities worth the trip for the table alone25 weekends
By trainWeekends you can reach without flying16 weekends
Romantic weekendsCandlelight, views and long dinners16 weekends
Beaches and coastSand, sea air and harbour lunches17 weekends
Castles and historyFortresses, ruins and Roman stones16 weekends
Wine weekendsVineyards, cellars and the regions behind the bottle19 weekendsBelgium48-hour guide
Two days of Winter Wonders in Brussels: the Grand-Place tree and light show, chalets from the Bourse to Sainte-Catherine, Magritte, Sablon chocolate and proper frites.
Germany48-hour guide
Two days in Germany's most famous Christmas market city: the Christkind's prologue, the imperial castle, Dürer's house, three-in-a-roll sausages and fresh Lebkuchen.
Germany48-hour guide
Two days in Cologne in market season: the cathedral and its new ticket rules, five markets within walking distance, the Rhine and a round of Kölsch.
France48-hour guide
Our flagship two-day Paris route: the islands, the great museums, Montmartre at dusk, plus where to stay, what to eat and what to book before you go.
United Kingdom48-hour guide
Two days in Leeds: a giant Victorian market, free museums, a ruined abbey by the river and some of the north's best pubs and South Asian food.
United Kingdom48-hour guide
A two-day Cardiff route: a Gothic fantasy castle, shopping arcades, free museums at St Fagans and Cathays Park, and a waterfront walk round the Bay.
Closures, new rules and openings that change a weekend plan.
In the order they open.
Southbank Centre Winter Market
Bristol Christmas Market
Christmas Market at Schönbrunn Palace
Christmas Village Stephansplatz
Cardiff Christmas Market
New reels every weekday: 48-hour routes, food worth the trip and what’s on this weekend.
