Time traveller

APRIL
PARIS

We’re not sure who wrote I Love Paris, but Mr Google assures us it’s a man called Cole Porter, who we’ve certainly heard of and remember reading that he once lived in the French capital – so far so good. You’ll have to throw the dice to see what weather you’ll get in April, but if the gods are smiling on you, temperatures will be nudging the 20s and there will be a freshness in the air you’ve not sensed since you last opened a bottle of Lenor. You’ll beat the crowds, the often oppressive summer heatwaves, and soak up the sights and sounds of one of the best cities on the planet. Why not borrow a Mini and “do a Jason Bourne” through the city streets?
Fly to Paris (Beauvais) from 14 destinations across the Ryanair network including Milan

MAY
RIGA

Riga is perfect in May. Forget the fact that it was once all Soviet-era deprivation and food queues and forget the reputation it has as a destination for stag dos. Yes it’s a city of revelry – amazing bars, clubs and cafes – but it’s full of art and architecture too and if you want a place to combine culture and clubbing Riga is it. May, which is low season, is when the city is breaking out of its cold spell with lots of sunshine which makes it even better – you’ll have it all to yourself. Walk the city on a tour of former Soviet sights including the monstrous Academy of Sciences, and the Monument to Latvian Rifl emen. If it all gets too much wait for nightfall and fi nd the best European DJs who hit Riga about this time.
Fly to Riga from 12 destinations across the Ryanair network including Bristol & Bremen

JUNE
BASEL

Whether your team’s in Euro 2008 or not, it doesn’t matter. This beautiful – if snooty – Swiss city gets our June vote simply because it’s the place to soak up football this year. Sure, the competition is taking place across the whole of the country and neighbouring Austria, but Basel, with its red-sandstone architecture, lush riverside setting and some decent early summer temperatures that help fusty locals shrug off their reserve, make this a must. Basel’s also a terrifi c spot for culturevultures, and hosted the European Cultural Month in 2001, along with Riga in Latvia. But forget all that, because this is where two quarter fi nals and the semis will be held.
Fly to Basel from fi ve destinations across the Ryanair network including Alicante and Dublin

JULY
BUDAPEST
Often described as “the Paris of Central Europe”, grand and lovely Budapest is at its very best during the height of summer. Straddling a curve of the Danube, it is at once old-fashioned and a bang-up-to-date city with excellent facilities for visitors. With one of the highest tallies of sunshine in Europe, Budapest summers are the stuff of dreams, and there is a seemingly endless programme of openair events. Traditional mineral baths are also in abundance, and are just the thing for unwinding after a hot afternoon. Plus if you’re a Formula One nut, arrive at the end of the month and soak up the fumes – the Budapest Grand Prix takes place on 3 August.
Fly to Budapest from seven destinations across the Ryanair network including Frankfurt & Dublin

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