Country coupling is growing in popularity and is set to be a top travel trend of 2020. Visiting two countries in one holiday is such an exciting way to travel, especially in Europe where there can be such a difference in cultures just a few miles apart. But, beyond that, many travellers are also choosing completely different environments for their country split - think mountains one week, seaside the next, or even a city break followed by a rural escape.
Here are a few suggestions for your next break:
Copenhagen and Malmö
Image Credit: Pug Girl
Mix the Danish capital and the Swedish city of Malmö for a long weekend break. The Øresund Bridge links the 16km gap between the two countries together by rail and road; a typical car journey takes around 10 minutes. A day trip to one of these Nordic cities from the other is more than feasible.
Basel Metropolitan Area
Image Credit: Lars Steffens
The greater metropolitan area of Basel covers Switzerland, France, and Germany. This trinational area sits on the upper part of the River Rhine and is French and German-speaking. The excellent travel links and Schengen Agreement make it very easy to explore parts of all three countries during a mini-break.
Niagara River Gorge
Image Credit: Ken Lund
The Rainbow Bridge, known for the rainbow that can be seen from it over the Niagara Falls, is a 440m-long bridge linking the United States and Canada. You can connect your journey between the two countries and see a world-famous landmark at the same time.
Vienna and Bratislava
Image Credit: Sandor Somkuti
The Austrian and Slovakian capitals are within easy reach from one another; just an hour’s car ride takes you to the centre of the other, or alternatively you can make the trip more leisurely by going by boat along the River Danube. Indeed, if you follow the river downstream further, you’ll arrive in Budapest, the capital of Hungary. Bratislava is ideally located to visit three countries.
Spain and Morocco
Image Credit: Peter Collins
Explore the Spanish town of Tarifa before crossing the Strait of Gibraltar and discovering Morocco's Tangier, just under two hours away by car and ferry. Two countries, two continents, one holiday!
Tallinn and Helsinki
Image Credit: einalem
Estonia’s capital of Tallinn, known for its technological innovations and startups, is a two hour ferry ride away from Helsinki, Finland’s capital. Explore the Baltic and Soviet history and architecture then move on to experience more Nordic influences.
Kotor and Dubrovnik
Image Credit: brendan aanes
The city of Kotor in Montenegro is a little under two hours by car from the Croatian city of Dubrovnik, famous for its appearances in the Game of Thrones series. Kotor’s Old Town and mountainous scenery are in distinct contrast to the beautiful beaches surrounding Dubrovnik.
Where will you be jetting off to next?
Title Image Credit: Becks (Image Cropped)