Long weekends for most people are a city break away, a visit to a friend in another location or a local getaway that’s not too far from home. Sometimes though you just need that little bit more from your weekend getaway, and there’s no better way to unwind than getting outdoors. It may still be wet and windy in Europe at the moment, but here’s some summer travel inspiration so that you can have a mini-getaway that won’t cost you an arm and a leg.

Kite-surfing in Tarifa, Spain,

Almost everyone who goes on holiday to Spain spends some time on the beach. Some want to do nothing more than sit back on a sun lounger with a good book, others prefer a more active beach day of football, volleyball and swimming along the coast. If you are in this latter category try an alternative beach activity and sign up to some kite-surfing lessons in the windswept Andalusian town of Tarifa. One of the most popular places in the country for the sport, Tarifa is the southernmost point in Europe and takes the winds in from the Atlantic across the Straits of Gibraltar. And if you’ve had enough of beaches and kitesurfing you can always hop on the ferry from Tarifa over to the historic Moroccan city of Tangier.

Stay with: Eva in Tarifa

Homestays in Spain

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Scope out the vineyards in Porto, Portugal

If adventure sports like kitesurfing aren’t quite your thing but you still love the great outdoors, some vineyard hopping may be the way to get out in the countryside without feeling too far from home. Vineyards from the world’s best-known wine producers around France and Italy can become a well-worn tourist trail but try a lesser-known destination such as Portugal for a more authentic look at wine production. The city of Porto in the north of Portugal produces the famous port wine and is located at the mouth of the Douro River, where much of the country’s wine production takes place. Rent a car for the weekend and find the local suppliers who will be only too happy to sell you some samples to take home.

Stay with: Luis in Porto

Homestays in Porto

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Stroll the waterside walkways of Ghent, Belgium

Belgium can be a bit overlooked in terms of outdoor holidays and many tourists only make it as far as Brussels or Bruges for a weekend city break. Other cities such as Ghent and Antwerp have just as much charm however and a great place if you are looking for a city break where you can unwind. Try a long weekend in Ghent and stroll along the network of waterways that cut through the city, admiring the distinctive Flemish architecture as you go. And if you’re thirsty after all that walking, the Belgian Trappist beer here is second to none.

Stay with: Christophe in Ghent

Homestays in Ghent

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Take a city cycling holiday in Amsterdam or Copenhagen

Everyone knows that Amsterdam is a fantastically cycle-friendly city and for a long weekend in a new city or place, cycling is a quick, easy way of taking in the sights without breaking the bank. Holland isn’t the only country that welcomes cyclists however, the Danish capital of Copenhagen is another city that is made for bikes, with separate cycle lanes, parking spaces and an overall respect for cyclists on the roadway that will leave even a novice feeling secure on the roads. Cycle to the Tivoli amusement park or make your way to the protected hippie commune of Christiania, an autonomous neighbourhood in the east of Copenhagen.

Stay with Taco in Amsterdam

Homestays in Amsterdam

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Or for a more experienced cyclist, ride the trails of northern Italy

Cycling around a city is all well and good but if you want to really clock up the miles on your bike you’re going to have to leave behind the cities for your long weekends away. The Dolomite Mountains of northern Italy are ideal for a getaway and easy to get to for a short break away. Fly to Verona and make your way to the forests and sparkling waterways of Lake Garda or alternatively arrive in Bergamo and cycle north to charming villages that dot the banks of Lake Como.

Stay with: Michele in Lake Como

Homestays in Verona

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Climb every mountain in Austria

Anyone who has been hiking for any length of time will tell you that it’s so much more than a brisk walk uphill for a few hours. Hiking in the countryside lets you relax your mind, unwind and see the landscape in ways you never have before- and all you need is a decent pair of shoes to get going! Grab a friend and take the Von Trapp family’s advice and climb every mountain (well maybe not every mountain) in Austria and when you’re done, chill for the evening in the opulent capital Vienna and rest your weary legs.

Stay with: David Albert in Vienna

Homestays in Austria

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Walk the forest trails of Corsica

The island of Corsica to the north of Sardinia in the Mediterranean is often overlooked by travellers in favour of the glamorous French Riviera but a getaway to this French island will not leave you disappointed. Corsica is highly mountainous and mostly rural which makes it such a great spot for lovers of the outdoors. If you're not quite up to mountaineering, the forest trails on the lower slopes are ideal for a weekend getaway and are a great family-friendly activity. Check Visit Corsica for a full list of forest trails, but the most famous, with a variety of trail levels and landscapes, is the Forêt Vizzavona in the centre of the island.

Stay with: Christelle in Ajaccio

Homestays in Corsica

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Visit volcanoes in the Azores

If rugged windswept islands are your thing, you will love the grouping of Portuguese islands collectives known as The Azores. Situated to the west of Madeira in the Atlantic Ocean, the Azores are a windswept tropical paradise that will be a haven for anyone who likes to get out and about. Surfing, whale-watching and other water sports are popular in this island destination but for something a bit different, discover the many active volcanoes both above and below ground that shape the landscape of the Azores. Cave trails and volcano walks can be found throughout the islands as well as several thermal spas, including the nineteenth-century spa complex of Carapacho, whose warm, sulphur-rich waters are said to have numerous health benefits.

Stay with: Carolina in Ponta Delgada

Homestays in The Azores

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Go spelunking in Slovenia at the Skocjan Caves

Spelunking or cave exploring to you and me is a great activity to do on holiday and most likely isn’t something you can easily do at home. Head to the famous Skocjan Caves complex which is located close the Italian boarder, about forty minutes’ drive from the town of Trieste. The caves are home to the world’s largest underground canyon and go on for some six kilometres beneath the earth’s surface. Tours of the caves take place with a guide and while some people may prefer to travel solo, it really is worth having an expert there to tell you what you’re are looking at.

Stay with: David in Ljubljana

Homestays in Slovenia

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Roller blade your way around Berlin

Image courtesy of Sebastian Michalke.

A city as big as Berlin is hard to see in a weekend but if you want to stay out and about, you need to find a quicker way to get around on foot. You can rent bikes, but if you want to do it like the locals get yourself a pair of roller blades and head out into the city. The Tempelhofer Park is a great spot for rollerblading: the former airport space is now a public park and the aircraft runways are the perfect place to roll around without fear of colliding with any city traffic. Bring a picnic and stay for the day.

Stay with: Ruth in Prenzlauerberg

Homestays in Berlin

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