It was Toni Terry who started the trend earlier this month, jetting off to Dubai for some winter sun after ‘revelations’ that her husband, Chelsea captain John Terry, had being doing the dirty with a lingerie model behind her back. Everyone knows that footballers’ wives are slaves to new crazes, so perhaps it was no surprise that WAG Queen, Cheryl Cole, jumped behind the reins of the bandwagon and urged it on at full pace to Los Angeles, after it transpired that her own beloved beau, Ashley (…also of Chelsea FC), had been sending saucy pics of his top striker to a rival chavette. Who would have thought it?

Although the public at large might enjoy a laugh at the predictable messes that these material girls get themselves in for with their no-good but filthy rich husbands, the truth is we’ve all picked a wrong ‘un down the line – and usually discovered our mistakes the hard way. And whilst we don’t want to give too much credit to Cheryl and co., their idea of dealing with heartbreak via a holiday has got to be their greatest contribution to society they’ve made thus far (except for maybe this video). So to celebrate the unlikely occasion of WAGs starting a new travel trend Urban Travel Blog have decided to come up with their own list of great getaways for all the jilted Romeos and Juliets out there. From the self-indulgent to the spiritual, with plenty of single shenanigans in between, here are our seven best holidays for getting over your ex-boyfriend or girlfriend… they’re almost worth getting dumped for.

Self Love Island

A spa on Hvar: the holiday the boyfriend can't spoil

No, not that type of self love (…although it can’t hurt). In this instance we mean take the chance to treat yourself how your ex should have been treating you, if they weren’t too busy making whoopy with their new colleague from work. Now is the time to book yourself a single room at the Spalmaris Spa resort in Hotel Podstine on the almost Arcadian island of Hvar in Croatia. When you’re not busy getting rubbed down by some Slavic sexpot or getting the princess treatment with a Mediterranean Royal Pedicure, you can always rub bronzed shoulders with Europe’s yachting elite in Hvar harbor. Where better to be revitalized and single?

Retail Remedy in Rome

Expensive? Frankly my dear...

Spending money on yourself is a good way of reaffirming your self worth in the face of your unceremonious jilting. Especially if it’s with your partner’s credit card, or you’re draining the joint account. Why not head to Rome for a splurging spree – it may not have quite the associations with fashion as Milan does, but you’ll find all the same designer names, plus amazing markets such as Porta Portese and Campo de Fiori. Guys should remember not to use up all your ex’s credit on the first day… after all you’ll want to save a fair few euros for buying champagne for the sultry Italian of your dreams at Bloom club. Whilst girls would be well-advised to die their hair blond and wander around with a map in their hand looking helplessly lost (and single) … the dark handsome strangers will be lining up to whisk you away in their Vespas.

Mead in Manhattan

There’s nothing like a good drinking session to get over an ex… or at least numb the pain for a few blessed beer-soaked hours. If mead is your favourite medicine then ‘hop’ on a plane to New York and sign up for a tour of the Chelsea Brewery, one of the few still operating in Manhattan. Meet Market Adventures organize single tours of this sacred site, giving you an alcohol-fuelled chance of continuing the fun long after last orders has been called on your quest for the Holy Ale.

Photo Therapy

Prague's breath-taking scenery cures all ills

What you need in a time of emotional crisis is – pun intended – something to focus on. If that thing happens to be a stunning Czech model so much the better. Sign up for a week learning the art of photography with Aclass and not only will you pit your lenses against the amazing architecture of Prague and Brno – two of Europe’s most beautiful cities – but you’ll also learn how to direct a fashion shoot with a Pantene model and Miss Czech finalist, amongst other good lookers! Alternatively, for a one-day experience that will get your shutters in a flutter why not try your hand at photo dating in London?

Art Break City

…a much healthier destination than Heartbreak City for the spurned singleton is balmy Barcelona. Pack your paintbrushes and head over to the Catalan capital where Swiss-born art therapist Cora Egger will teach you how to easel the pain away in her specially-designed LOM studio. According to her studies (and she holds several diplomas in the field) painting can be a very effective tool for externalizing all manner of traumas and drawing a portrait of your ex (presumably so that you can savage it afterwards) can prove surprisingly beneficial. If it doesn’t work then there’s always Barcelona’s sunny beaches, raucous nightlife and plenty of cheap Cava to fall back on…

A Drop In The Ocean

Ex-girlfriend equals ex-problems

Nothing will seem more insignificant than your ex when you’ll battling the might of Atlantic ocean armed with only a 2m piece of plastic. Enrol at the Berbere surf camp in Morocco and not only can you spend every day receiving expert tuition at arguably the world’s most sexy sport, but you’ll be surrounded by amazing scenery and the local customs of the indigenous Berbere people. And if you don’t fall in love with Mother Nature and the ocean, then there’s always those superfit surfing instructors to sidle up to.

Medicinal Meditation

If you need a complete a mental rehab, how about locking yourself up in a Thai monastery – for a minimum of 10 days – where orange-clad monks will half starve you to death whilst encouraging you to achieve 8 or 9 hours of meditation per day? Just outside Chiang mai, the 15th Century shrine of Wat Rampoeng offers meditation lessons along with a set of rules that makes Her Majesty’s guests at Whitemoor seem privileged, on your painful path to enlightenment. If that particular brand of catharsis doesn’t sound like your cup of tea then you could opt for the opposite Thai treatment… Bangkok’s finest ladyboys are just down the road.

So that just about covers our vacations and travel breaks for the broken hearted. The next time you find yourself in Dumpsville, don’t mope about on the sofa; take some time off work and jump on the ex tourism trend. New environment, new skills, new people… being single could be the best thing that ever happened to you. And you never know, some time away might from home might just have the ex begging to get back with you… especially if he’s a pathetic weasel like John Terry. Just say no Toni!

Imagine you’ve been around for over two thousand years and people still come from all over the world to see you and take your picture. That’s what happens with the pyramids of Egypt, the Great Wall of China and Rome. Unlike its counterparts from the ancient world however, Italy’s capital city is still crammed full of inhabitants who are busy getting on with their contemporary lives, taking the (packed and slow) bus to work every day, whilst crumbling ruins and millenia-old monuments rise up at the side of the road at every corner. Like all modern metropolises Rome has plenty to offer in terms of restaurants, nightlife and entertainment, but there are very few cities in the world where the sense of history, of world-changing events, bloody spectacles and political intrigue are so palpable that the visitor’s imagination can’t help but stir.

Anti-war protests by the Colosseum

The Romans sometimes act like they still rule the world, no matter how long ago Caesar and his cohorts hung up their scutums; but thankfully they are also very happy to help and make sure you love your stay in their city. The savvy traveller should therefore make the most of the locals’ pride and let them show you around. Then, you can choose which level of Rome you want to discover and how far you want to dig into time and history, from the Pantheon temple and early-Christian catacombs, to contemporary street art exhibitions, a night out at one of the biggest squats in Europe and more deep-fried food than you care to imagine.

Best of the Beaten Track

There are a few Roman attractions that require an entire day’s perusal, such as the Vatican Museums, which host centuries of artistic and historical treasures. Admission is free on the last Sunday of every month, when of course the queue is massive and the museum closes at noon – so set the alarm clock and be prepared.

State-of-the-art security at the Vatican

As for the other obvious touristic spots, you won’t be able to avoid them. It’s hard not to notice the vast Colosseum or the Altare della Patria, the Homeland’s Altar, the only spotless white marble building in an otherwise red-brown city centre (a white elephant that the locals actually hate). You may want to enter for the complete experience, but admiring these giants from the outside whilst slurping on an Italian ice cream can prove equally satisfying. Since you’re in the vicinity, walk up Via XX Settembre and get to Trajan’s Forum (not to be confused with the principal Forum Romanum), a large commercial district built by the Emperor Trajan and possibly the world’s first shopping centre. Interestingly the word ‘fornication’ is thought to have originated from the naughty deeds perpetrated by Romans under the arches (‘fornices’) of this forum!

Hipster’s Guide

E.U.R. is an acronym for Esposizione Universale Roma, Universal Roman Exhibition, and it’s a large district on the East End of the city, commissioned in 1935 by Mussolini. Its hard, straight-lined architecture is clearly inspired by the Roman Empire, and it was supposed to host the fascist regime’s 20-year celebrations which, oops, never happened.

Prenestino - a bastion of alternative culture

On the opposite edge of town, as well as the opposite end of the political spectrum, stands Forte Prenestino, a 32 acres wide squatted ex-military fortress, that did celebrate its 20th year of full activity in 2007. If you’re in Rome on May 1st don’t miss their Non-Labour Day 24-hour long party.

By the end of the day, head for a drink and some nibbles at Necci’s bar in the Pigneto area, the favourite place of late film director Pier Paolo Pasolini. Don’t worry if you’ve never heard of him or the Italian Neorealist movement, you’ll immediately connect with the potato puffs and the thick slices of frittata that come with your glass of wine.

Experience & Events

Fancy watching a movie but see no point in staying indoors on a warm Roman night? Go to one of the many arena cinemas which pop up around the city during the summer, in squares and parks, where the locals love to watch the season’s blockbusters and occasional arthouse stuff.

The film White Screen was not a commercial success

On the first of May, youngsters from all over the country come to Piazza San Giovanni in Laterano to (get drunk and) attend the traditional concertone, the Big Gig, organised by the Municipality. It lasts all day long and after a sequence of 20 or so Italian pop-rock musicians, culminates with an international mainstream attraction. For the Romans it’s like going to church. Even if it’s not your thing, you end up going at least once in your life.

The town of Marino, on the outskirts of Rome, throws a weekend long Wine Fest to promote the local produce every September. The main attraction is a fountain that spills wine instead of water, especially for the occasion, and anyone can help themselves.

Pillow Talk

All that luxury and decadence from the past may have you demanding the Imperial treatment. If that’s the case, and you boast the wallet of Crassus or Pompey, choose a 5 star option like SAS Radisson with its award-winning interior decor and pool parties, or else opt for the amazing view of Piazza della Repubblica from Boscolo Exedra. Still trendy, but a bit more affordable is Ripa Hotel; it’s not right in the City Centre but perfect for exploring Trastevere. For a much more relaxed (as in cheaper) stay try the likes of Zolilla B&B and other conveniently located places near Central Station Termini, like Alessandro Palace. Alternatively select from a range of Rome apartments in all the central districts in the city.

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Fork Out

In Rome, there’s no need to formally sit down to have a meal to die for. Roman street food can keep you full and happy for a whole holiday if you wish. This is the home of pizza al taglio, not round but rectangular, cut into pieces to eat on the go. You can find plenty of top quality pizzerias all around town like Pizza Luigi, Doppio Zero, Forno di Campo de’ Fiori, and the list goes on.

How to fit a square pizza in a stomach-sized hole?

But no matter how good, no one can live on pizza, and that’s what the fried stuff is for. Try Supplì, fried rice balls with a mozzarella filling; or battered cod (yes, a bit like fish and chips), which is found at its best at Filettaro. And of course it would be madness to leave Rome without having had an ice cream, and you can’t go wrong with Giolitti, while coffee lovers will get a real kick from the espresso granita (frozen and grated coffee) at Tazza d’Oro, which comes with an almost illegal amount of thick whipped cream and could wake up a hibernating bear. Finally, if you’re aiming to impress your date, take them to a restaurant where Italian food doesn’t mean checked tablecloths and loud waiter. La Rosetta’s menu offers a modern take on traditional fish dishes like “spaghetti alle vongole” (pasta with clams, parsley and a touch of white wine).

Drop In

Rome’s nightlife is odd and, without any good tips, you may think that the Eternal City’s party was over centuries ago. In the summer most people prefer to just hang out outside instead of spending the evening in pubs and clubs. When it’s cold, the best of said clubs are sometimes hard to find. But here we come to the rescue. At Brancaleone, which is more a cultural centre than a club, you’ll find some serious electronic music from international DJs, a generally packed, and very dark, dancefloor and an upstairs chill-out area with a café and exhibitions.

Rockin Roman style in Micca Club

More electronic music, though in a more polished environment, is what you get at Goa Club, while on Saturdays all the indie kids head to Circolo degli Artisti to see gigs by the likes of Kaiser Chiefs and CSS and dance to the rock DJs until late. The top night out on the gay scene is Muccassassina, at Qube. Be warned, concepts such as “personal space” and “privacy” mean nothing there. For vintage fans, it’s worth checking out Micca Club, a refurbished dugout turned into a totally stylish club devoted to 60′s music, burlesque shows and Sunday flea markets.

Getting There

Many, albeit not all, roads lead to Rome. You can choose the cheap Ryanair way to Ciampino airport and then take a coach to Termini station, or fly directly to the main airport of Fiumicino through all the main airlines, including EasyJet (no Virgin, sorry). From there, the Leonardo Express train will take you to one of the main city stations, or you can get a cab for the fixed price of €45. Americans can search for flights to Rome on the 1-800 Fly Europe website.

More Juice

On Qype you can find many guides and reviews written by travellers in a variety of languages. The official Municipality’s website for toursim has weather and plenty of cultural and practical info. For more tips by local experts – especially bars, restaurants and culture – you’ll find Spotted by Locals an invaluable source.

Hard Copy

The Eternal City has been depicted in all possible ways from HBO’s Rome to Federico Fellini’s La Dolce Vita and of course, Dan Brown’s Angels and Demons – yes, you can take the tour. In the non-fiction field, there is a variety of guides like Lonely Planet and Rough Guides. At the newsagent, ask for the local edition of Time Out and while in hip shops and bars look for 06 free press, an overall good listings magazine (it’s tiny, so look hard!).

Soundtrack to the City

Rome – Phoenix
Piangi Roma – Baustelle & Valeria Golino
Ostia – Zu
Nun ce Prova – Cor Veleno feat. Roma
L’orchestra di piazza Vittorio – L’orchestra di piazza Vittorio