There’s nothing more exciting than planning a holiday or a big trip away – but it can be hard to narrow down your choices and decide where to go. It’s a big wide world out there, after all!
One of the biggest travel trends to have emerged for this year and beyond is the idea of exploring second cities, ensuring that you enjoy all the metropolitan buzz without having to deal with hordes of crowds.
Second cities are urban centres that aren’t the capital of a country or the biggest to be found, but which still have an essential role to play in terms of a nation’s governance, economics, trade, finance, education and transport.
From a travel perspective, you’ll often find that second, third and fourth cities have fewer people to contend with, are cheaper than the more popular tourist hotspots and offer a more authentic experience overall, making your trip even more unique and memorable as a result.
As for destinations, here are some of the top second cities to consider visiting this year. Which of these will you be travelling to?
Manchester
Manchester has an incredibly rich history, famed for being the birthplace of the industrial revolution of course but also for its political, scientific, musical, cultural and sporting heritage.
There’s always something going on in this gritty Northern city and something for everyone to enjoy but if it’s music you’re after, you really have come to the right place. Gigs galore can be found here any day of the week… so make sure you check out live music venues like the Whiskey Jar, Matt & Phreds and The Blues Kitchen, to name just three.
Brno
Forget Prague for 2025… it’s all about Brno from now on. Czechia’s southern second city is an absolute must-visit, with a huge amount to see and do.
Make sure you head up to the top of the Old Town Hall for some amazing views of the city, check out the quirky astronomical clock, visit the Museum of Romani Culture, explore all the public art on offer and visit the many, many churches that are dotted around and about.
Milan
Forgo Rome, Florence and Venice in favour of Milan and you won’t regret it. Art and culture can be found absolutely everywhere here, with grand cathedrals to see, incredible museums, fashion boutiques and lots more.
But the food is perhaps the main reason to go, with lots of traditional dishes to try, such as the risotto alla Milanese… an iconic treat that you have to sample for yourself. Cotoletta all Milanese is another one for the foodies among you, a veal cutlet covered in breadcrumbs and fried in butter. Delicioso!
So there you have it… just a couple of places to consider putting at the top of your second city bucket list for 2025. And, of course, if you need any help with airport transfers or are looking for a chauffeur service to show you the sights, get in touch with the Aspire Chauffeurs team today.