Itching to get away? Craving sunshine? We hear you, which is why we’ve rounded up the best whirlwind weekend breaks to book right now, without losing a big chunk of your annual leave. Jet off Friday, be back at work Monday – what’s not to love?

MARRAKESH, MOROCCO

Short moan: Muddy’s had to turn the heating on IN JUNE. If you’re also feeling the cold, a little jaunt to the pink city should put you right, because it’s 31˚C and sunny right now (and most of the time tbh). What’s more, the flight’s less than four hours and everything you could need for a mega city break’s right on your doorstep.

Tick off top tourist attractions Jamaa El Fna Square, the souks, Jardin Majorelle and the Yves Saint Laurent Museum (the designer owned the famous gardens in the 80s), across the road is 33 Rue Majorelle where you can snap up colourful kaftans, unique jewellery and soft leather slippers from over 60 Moroccan designers. When things get a little too scorchio, jump in a cab to Nikki Beach Club in the city’s swanky Palmeraie district and recline on a poolside cabana. At night, book a table at Comptoir Darna, an exotic restaurant where you can sip cocktails while bellydancers twirl around the floor by candle-light.

STAY: Legendary La Mamounia has been a magnet to everyone from Winston Churchill to, erm, Louise Redknapp. Not only are its gardens filled with roses and orange blossom, interior swathed with velvet and four restaurants always buzzing, it’s also got a spa, pool and afternoon tea. Riad Star, a 13-bedroom oasis in the heart of the Medina, is a classy option if you’re on a budget.

FUNCHAL, MADEIRA

Stuck out in the Atlantic, this curiously exotic Portuguese island is roughly double the size of the Isle of White and famous for its wine and, randomly, footballer Christiana Ronaldo (the airport’s named after him, fact fans). Its buzzy capital Funchal channels the mainland, think charming black and white stone pavements, bakeries and red tiled roofs, yet there’s palm or banana tree at every turn and the vibrant farmer’s market is more like the Caribbean thanks to stalls laden with exotic local flowers, spices and fruits like guava, papaya and prickly pear.

Boat excursions line the port offering dolphin and whale-watching (apparently it’s one of the best places in Europe to spot them), and don’t miss a ride in the city’s cosy cable car, which carries you effortlessly up to the botanical gardens and the city’s famous (mad) wicker basket toboggan ride.

STAY: Savoy Palace is one of Funchal’s largest, most glamorous hotels. Reminiscent of a rippling concrete wave, its sumptuous bedrooms are cocoons of luxury, with soft white logoed linen and spacious sea view balconies. A spacious spa (the biggest in Portugal apparently) even has a Champagne and nail bar.

LILLE, FRANCE

Paris is going to be a petit bit crowded this summer, what with the Olympics taking place and all, so for an alternative dose of French chic, heat and foodie treats, visit Lille instead. You can reach France’s most underrated city by Eurostar in under two hours, which is a major bonus.

When you’re there, things to tick off the must-do list include strolling around the colourful markets, dining at NŪ Restaurant (for the amazing views as well as the tasty food), visiting the Palais des Beaux-Arts and shopping in the boutiques of 17th-Century Vieux Lille.

STAY: Mama Shelter still the best budget-yet-stylish stay in the city, with blush pink and grey rooms and funky extras like an outdoor terrace for drinks, plus an awesome breakfast included.

MILAN, ITALY

Milan might seem like a wild card, but when you consider temperatures are currently topping 28˚C (it’s 14˚C in the UK as Muddy types this, sob), Italy’s fashion capital suddenly makes an awful lot of sense. Also, it’s cheap to fly to and has a phenomenal amount of iconic Italian sites to see, including a huge Duomo (Gothic cathedral), which is even grander than the one in Venice, La Scala opera, beating anything you’ll see in Verona and medieval square, Piazza Dei Mercanti, which is equally as gorgeous as Rome’s Piazza Navona.

When you’ve had your fill sightseeing, enjoy a Bellini or three in Camparino In Galleria, one of Milan’s oldest bars which dates back to 1867, and it would be rude not to go window shopping at Gucci, Roberto Cavalli, D&G, Prada and Valentino in Via Monte Napoleone.

STAY: Rest your sightseeing weary head at sleek four-star Zambala Luxury Residence, which is right in the heart of the action and has bedrooms with lots of extras, including a little kitchen. 

PRAGUE,  CZECH REPUBLIC

A beautiful summertime destination with loads more to offer aside from cheap beer and a tan (temps hover in the mid 20s, though it’s expected to top 29˚C next week). Spend your 48 hours exploring the narrow cobbled streets lined with chocolate-box houses, crossing the Charles Bridge over Vltava River and wandering around the ancient hilltop castle. At night, hunt out speakeasy-style bars like Bonvivant’s for cocktails and tapas away from the crowds.

STAY: You can’t beat the Four Seasons Prague for five-star service, food and spa. On a budget? Contemporary Design Metropol Hotel is steps from Wenceslas Square and has a rooftop sun deck and bedrooms with all the city views, if you want to sightsee horizontally, which we do. 

BUDAPEST, HUNGARY

Summer is THE time to visit Hungary’s capital. Split in two by the cool waters of the Danube, it’s a cornucopia of al fresco fun, from riverside strolls and picnics in the shaded parks to festivals and outdoor swimming pools and beaches.

As you’ve only got a couple of days, Muddy recommends taking in St Stephen’s Basilica, catching the funicular up to the hilltop castle, strolling through the historic Jewish Quarter and popping down to open-air bar Pontoon for a Danube-side spritzer and live music. Or for dramatic 360˚ city views, go for bites, beats and bubbles at the Sky Bar at Aria Hotel Budapest.

STAY: Párisi Udvar Hotel Budapest roots you in the middle of the city, strolling distance from the city’s cultural, architectural and culinary treats (and all of the best bars). Plus, the hotel is heart-stopping at every turn; Moorish and Parisian in equal parts, paved with marble, dripping in gold.

BERLIN, GERMANY

Parks, lakes, beach bars, festivals, open-air concerts, oh my! Berlin’s a hot destination year-round, but it’s practically sizzling in the summer. The city’s food and wine scene is currently off the scale, so start your whirlwind weekend with a Dov’s fork & walk tour around Prenzlauer Berg neighbourhood, devouring everything you can from traditional Kettwurst street food (the tastiest hotdog ever) to craft bakeries with the best cinnamon rolls, all washed down with local Bier.

Tick off Brandenburg Gate, obvs, and on Sunday explore Schonhauser-allee (Berlin’s equivalent of Chelsea), rich with old World War II buildings mixed with Nineties constructions, you’ll find unique one-off pieces in the cute local boutiques.

STAY: There’s nothing like opening your eyes in a bright pink bed at NHowBerlin to jolt you awake, especially when you know that Flo Rida, The Weeknd, Skrillex and Cher – yes, Cher – might have stayed in your bed. Say what? The hotel boasts two onsite recording studios and has a steady stream of stars through the door (if only we could turn back time).

SEVILLE, SPAIN

You’ve only got a couple of days in this magnificent city, so let’s cut to the chase: visit the world’s largest gothic cathedral, which dominates the centre of the city and spend a few hours seeing the world-famous art collection, tomb of Christopher Columbus, top of the giralda and patio de los Naranjos, filled with 66 oranges trees and a central fountain.

Seville’s Royal Palace is another city highlight and if it seems familiar it might be because it was a filming location for Game of Thrones. Not everything under ‘sightseeing’ is from hundreds of years ago, though. Metropol Parasol (locals call it las setas, the mushrooms) is made up of six colossal interconnected wooden structures on four levels, with an aquarium below, street stalls at ground level and viewing platforms and cafés on top. Hungry? Scoff tapas at El Rinconcillo, which has been serving up tasty bites like cod chunks in batter for 350 years.

STAY: A dip in the rooftop pool at Hotel One Shot Palacio Conde Torre is a great way to refresh after a day’s sightseeing. Situated in the old town, this converted 18th century palace is a total bargain, spotlessly clean and even the most basic economy rooms have luxuriously soft linen, desks, rain showers and wood floors.

LISBON, PORTUGAL

Just over two hours flight from Heathrow, Europe’s most westerly capital is weekend break heaven, though be sure to pack trainers as boy is it hilly. Stretching from the Parca do Comércio plaza on the waters edge up to Castelo de Sao Jorge on the tallest hill, with townhouses covered in beautiful coloured ‘azulejo’ handmade tiles, cool art galleries and museums such as Museu Nacionale de Arte Contemporanea do Chiado (amazing for modern art) in between. When It comes to dining, hunt out Barrio de Avillez, the brainchild of Jose Avillez, Portugal’s most famous Michelin-starred chef. Read Muddy’s full Lisbon city review here.

STAY: Characterful Heritage de Liberdade Hotel, lies within walking distance of the main city sights, has a tasteful mix of traditional and contemporary design with an inviting lobby of elegant floor-to-ceiling windows, original Portuguese tiled walls and a cute old wooden reception desk, a former herbal dispensary kiosk.