City breaks reach further afield

City breaks are growing in popularity and are becoming increasingly exotic as Britons prove more adventurous.

Favoured destinations such as Rome and Paris remain popular, but experts say there is a shift in approach to some of the more far-flung regions.

Holidays-Direct company head Neil Smillie says the advent of cheaper flights has led to a great degree of variety for holidaymakers.

Areas such as eastern Europe and the US, previously the preserve of the wealthy or long-time traveller, are now open to a wider market, and Mr Smillie expects the trend to continue.

"It is true to say that the world is getting smaller in terms of city breaks as customers continue to explore new places in shorter amounts of time," he commented.

"From America to the Baltics, we are seeing many more people taking their city break explorations further away."

Destinations in eastern Europe and Scandinavia are tipped to be the next regions that Britons explore.