Posted on Wednesday, 20 June 2018

And the World Cup goes to… none of these countries. But what these nations do have is some rather alluring city break destinations. Cue unkind football jibes…

Iceland - Reykjavik

Among the city break options in Iceland, Reykjavik ranks as, well, the only one. This island nation's capital is also its largest city by far - and yet only has the population of Chester.

What it lacks in size it makes up for in trendy bars, off-the-wall design and creative people. It's also close to some stunning scenery: snow-capped mountains, sulphur baths (including the famous Blue Lagoon) and a wild coastline. Game of Thrones fans can visit numerous series locations - such as Grjótagjá, the cave where Jon Snow and Ygritte had their first dip. But after a while exploring Iceland, where there are just 3.3 people per square kilometre (it's 69 in the UK), you'll wonder: how did they manage to raise any football team at all, let alone a World Cup qualifying one?

London to Reykjavik - 3 hours

Morocco - Essaouira

Another Game of Thrones location, Essaouira is buffeted by crashing Atlantic waves and features a labyrinthine network of bustling alleyways. If you don't fancy the vastness of Marrakesh, Essaouira is a calmer alternative where you get virtually no hassle from hotel touts and pickpockets (unlike Marrakesh). The city boasts numerous cool, quiet riads (hotels with inner courtyards) that block out the city noise. Don't miss the bustling fishing port at the old fort.

London Luton to Essaouira - 3 hours 40 mins

Serbia - Novi Sad

Home to Serbia's largest music festival - Exit - you might bet that Novi Sad is a rather cool place. And you'd be right. The alleyway bars attract ample crowds on most nights, while by day the population likes to lounge in the city's charming parks. The mighty Petrovaradin Citadel dominates the scene, whose grumbling demeanour lightens each year as it plays host to Exit. Take a city break here and expect trendy art galleries, plenty of history - and a liberal atmosphere that other Serbian cities lack.

London to Belgrade 4 hours; Belgrade to Novi Sad by road - 1 hour

Poland - Gdansk

Just two hours out of London, Gdansk is straightforward to reach and offers a wealth of maritime history. Rich merchants built monuments to their success in the form of elegant gargoyle-adorned town houses, while monolithic red-brick churches rear up over the city. Bullet holes from WWII are everywhere, a reminder of the city's turbulent past. Today, Gdansk is vibrant and cosmopolitan - and quite unlike any other Polish city.

London to Gdansk - 2 hours

Panama - Panama City

OK, a city break in Panama city is about as 'on your radar' as Panama reaching the World Cup Final - but it's possible.

If you can accommodate a 13 hour flight for a trip here, you'll be well-rewarded. This vibrant, cosmopolitan city is renowned for its liberal "anything goes" atmosphere and is arguably more forward-looking that its neighbours.

The perfect setting for an espionage thriller, this moody, chaotic city is a centre of shady international banking and home to numerous casinos and sultry nightclubs. If you get tired of the intense hubbub, you can escape to a castor sugar beach in a jiffy.

London to Panama - 13 hours.

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