Arrive and settle into your hotel or cozy B&B in the city center, then walk to the nearby main square to get your bearings — stop at a local café such as Corner Roasters for a strong coffee and a pastry while watching morning life unfold. Spend a relaxed hour strolling the pedestrian streets, popping into a small artisan market or independent bookstore to pick up a map and a few souvenirs that hint at the city’s character.
After lunch at a neighborhood bistro, join a 90-minute guided walking tour of the historic district to learn the city’s highlights and local stories; this is a great primer for the rest of the weekend. Follow the tour with a short visit to the city museum or a landmark (for example, the Town Hall gallery or the old watchtower) to dive deeper into local history without overdoing it on the first day.
As dusk falls, enjoy an early dinner at a well-reviewed restaurant in the center — try seasonal dishes at Farmstead Table or a tapas-style meal at La Plaza — then take a gentle post-dinner stroll along the riverfront or through illuminated streets to soak up the atmosphere. If you still have energy, stop for a nightcap at a cozy cocktail bar or catch a short performance at a nearby small theater to end the evening on a relaxed, cultural note.
Start the day with breakfast at Corner Roasters (or the café you discovered yesterday) and head straight to the Grand Cathedral for a guided tour of its crypt and rooftop viewpoint — the morning light is perfect for photos of the square below. From there, wander the adjacent artisan quarter to browse specialty food shops and a ceramics studio, where you can try a quick hands-on tile-painting session or pick up a handcrafted souvenir that deepens the story you began exploring yesterday.
After a casual lunch at the market food hall (sample the regional stew and a local pastry), take the city’s hop-on hop-off tram to the Riverside Museum to see the maritime exhibits and a seasonal special exhibition; the tram gives a pleasant orientation of neighborhoods you haven’t yet explored. Follow the museum visit with a relaxed walk through the riverside park to the old watchtower you glimpsed on Day 1 and climb for a panoramic view, then stop at Café Lumière for a warming drink before returning to the center.
Dine at Farmstead Table to sample a seasonal tasting menu that highlights local farms, reserving a window table if possible to watch evening street life unfold; alternatively, share small plates at La Plaza for a livelier vibe. Cap the night with a short performance at the intimate Teatro Minor (check listings for a music or comedy act) or a night-time riverfront stroll to see the city’s landmarks illuminated, continuing the easy, cultural rhythm you established on arrival.
Catch an early regional bus or book a short guided minivan to the nearby hilltown of Willowby (30-45 minutes), where you can wander cobbled lanes and visit the seasonal Winter Market; stop at Hearth & Honey Bakery for their famed spiced scones and a strong tea while you admire views back toward the city. Time permitting, join a 60-minute guided tour of the town’s cooperative farmstead to sample farmhouse cheese and learn about local winter preserving traditions that expand on the farm-to-table story you tasted at Farmstead Table yesterday.
After a leisurely lunch at The Millhouse Bistro — try the root-vegetable ragout and a slice of house treacle tart — head to Lakeside Park for a gentle lakeshore walk and, weather allowing, a short boat ride or photography session at the boathouse; the quieter landscape contrasts nicely with the city’s bustling squares. Finish the afternoon with a visit to Willowby Pottery where you can watch a short demonstration or try a quick wheel-throw taster and pick up a small, hand-thrown bowl as a tactile memento of your weekend.
Return to the city in time for an early dinner at La Plaza or a relaxed pasta night at Trattoria Sotto — both are great for sharing plates and recalling highlights from the trip — then round out the weekend with a final stroll along the riverfront to see the watchtower and cathedral lit up, bringing the itinerary full circle. If you have energy, stop at the Teatro Minor’s lobby for a glass of wine or hot cocoa and soak up the convivial closing-night atmosphere before heading back to your hotel.