City breaks offer a fantastic opportunity to discover new places and scratch that travel itch without breaking the bank. Immerse yourself in a different culture, enjoy an alternative vista and discover newfound interests.
The UK has an abundance of beautiful, vibrant and colourful cities, we are totally spoilt for choice! We can enjoy the stunning coastal scenery, historical architecture, sweeping countryside and futuristic cityscapes – we have it all.
With lots of us penny-pinching, as prices of everyday essentials climb, foreign holidays may seem a little out of reach to lots of us but it doesn’t mean we can’t feed our desire for pastures new, affordable breaks in the UK are still seeing huge popularity as we roll into 2023.
Glasgow is the largest city in Scotland – a port city on the River Clyde in Scotland’s western Lowlands. It’s famed for its Victorian and art nouveau architecture, a rich legacy of the city’s 18th–20th-century prosperity due to trade and shipbuilding. Today it’s a national cultural hub, home to institutions including the Scottish Opera, Scottish Ballet and National Theatre of Scotland, as well as acclaimed museums and a thriving music scene.
A great city to spend a few days in, Glasgow enjoys a wealth of entertainment and activities to suit every taste and budget – perfect for an action-packed weekend away with friends, a romantic couples getaway or a fun-filled family break.
I took a guided walking tour, which included stops at some of the key landmarks including Glasgow Green, one of the oldest public spaces in Europe. It is a sprawling park spanning over 130 acres and has been an important part of Glasgow’s history since 1650. Today, it is full of activity – you can watch people walking their dogs, playing football on the green or simply enjoying the scenery. There are also some interesting monuments to explore as well as a small museum that focuses on local culture and history. The Riverfront walking paths are also worth exploring for stunning views across the city and for observing the locals.
Glasgow is a beautiful city to explore, with unique Scottish culture and history throughout. With 48 hours to fill, you can discover the city while indulging in
exquisite unique restaurants, bars and cafes, fill your days with adrenaline-inducing activities or simply relax in the beautiful parks and gardens. The nightlife is also buzzing in Glasgow, with music venues, comedy clubs and great food to choose from. You could also take a leap into Scottish culture by visiting traditional pubs that have been around for centuries. Music lovers will enjoy various music festivals throughout the year as well as concerts at iconic venues such as Glasgow’s Royal Concert Hall.
Have I persuaded you? I thought so, now you need somewhere to stay and I have just the place…
The newly opened Aparthotel Adagio Glasgow Central, is conveniently situated in the city centre, close to the business centre and on the banks of the River Clyde, Glasgow Central Station is a 5-minute walk away, and St Enoch’s underground station is 2 minutes away so great public transport links and if you are travelling by car, Jamaica Street NCP is the closest car park and offers reasonable rates – £22 approx for up to 24 hours.
The hotel is within walking distance of Argyle Street and St Enoch’s shopping centre, as well as the famous Buchanan Street which is the ultimate destination for shopaholics and home to glamorous department stores, designer boutiques and famous brands.
The hotel offers 162 rooms, all with fully equipped stylish kitchens, luxurious ensuite bathrooms and plush bedrooms – it has all the feels of an upmarket hotel but with the added bonus of being able to pack the full-size fridge with your own food and drinks and enjoy them at your leisure – there is even a small shop in reception just in case you need to restock! Speaking of reception, just like a hotel, it is manned 24 hours a day so there is always somebody available to assist you should you require it, I should also mention, beyond reception is an entirely delightful lounge in which you can enjoy one of the many board games on offer, relax with a drink on one of the colourful sprawling sofas or try your hand at table football.
I asked the (very obliging) reception staff if I could possibly have a room on a lower floor, I hate lifts, it’s just not my thing, thankfully this team are well versed in customer service and nothing seemed any trouble at all, my bags were seamlessly transported to
a spacious second-floor room with all the aforementioned amenities. I really enjoy aparthotels, what they don’t offer in terms of restaurant/food service, is reflected in the price and lends a huge amount of freedom to your stay – if you want to cook a pizza at 3 am you absolutely can without being charged extortionate room service prices.
Our stay was just a weekend break, but I can see that for somebody spending a little more time in the city, maybe for work, this is the perfect place – the room even boasts a small office space and of course, there is always free wifi. There is also a laundry room, a gym, and the option to enjoy breakfast from a small but perfectly formed buffet of continental meats and cheeses, bread and muffins, fruits and yoghurt – there are also hot English breakfast items, we tucked into bacon and eggs with hot buttered toast and a big pot of coffee – well, it was the weekend!
I can’t recommend Aparthotel Adagio Glasgow Central enough, its central location, welcoming and attentive staff, and well-appointed accommodation at a reasonable price, ticks all the boxes for a wonderful stay in a colourful and charismatic city. All that’s left to do is pack a bag and hit the road – tell them I sent you.
- 5 DIXON STREET G14AL GLASGOW
Tel: 1416113740- hb472@adagio-city.com
Words By Joanne Brook-Smith