WE mulled over a number of chic European city locations for our girls’ only short break to celebrate my sister’s birthday. Paris was discussed, then Rome, we toyed with Budapest, Krakov and Barcelona.

Then someone suggested York, having seen some of the stunning pictures of the historic walled city which were beamed across the world during the recent Tour de France. It turned out to be an inspired choice.

The others were flying in from Northern Ireland and the Channel Islands. For me, living just an hour’s drive away, there was a danger everything might seem overly familiar.

I needn’t have worried. Taking time to stop, explore hidden corners and seek out something new, while relaxing with friends and family experiencing it afresh, gave me a glimpse of another side of the city.

We wanted a taste of the history, culture, architecture and the sort of mouth-watering food we might have enjoyed in Paris or Rome. Busy working mothers, we also wanted to pamper ourselves with the sort of indulgent treats we rarely enjoy in our day-to-day lives.

York certainly didn’t let us down. Arriving early, we decided to start our day in style, with a Champagne breakfast at Bettys café in the heart of the city.

After that, we needed a little exercise, so headed for the Minster, where we climbed the stairs – all 275 of them – to the top of the central tower, to take in the view, from 200ft up, of the city we were about to explore.

Once standing at the city’s highest point, the panorama which unfolded beneath us was breathtaking. The others couldn’t believe that I, who lived so close, had never taken a tour of the building, the largest Gothic cathedral in northern Europe, parts of which date back to the 8th Century.

But I was soon to discover that the medieval stained glass collection here is of such international importance it has often been described as the English equivalent of the Sistine Chapel.

We could easily have spent the whole day there, were it not for the fact that we were eager to explore the delightful maze of medieval streets we had glimpsed from the top.

This is one of Europe’s largest pedestrian zones, a city made for walking. Whenever we asked for directions to any of the city’s many major attractions, everything seemed to be only about ten minutes’ away.

After a few hours, shopped out and foot-sore, we were ready for our next treat, a pamper session at North Yorkshire’s only fivestar hotel, the stunningly renovated former headquarters of the North Eastern Railway.

At the vast yet elegant Cedar Court Grand Hotel, we retreated to the opulent spa located in the underground vaults, where the gold used to be stored, to enjoy a series of luxurious treatments.

A world away from the busy city streets outside, we donned swimsuits and fluffy white robes to wander around this sumptuous, tranquil crypt, dipping in and out of a low-lit 14-metre pool, sauna, relaxation lounge, whirlpool and steam room.

It was just a short walk along the ancient city walls from here, back to Hotel du Vin, where we were staying. A fantastic location, in the tranquil area known as the Mount, but just a stone’s throw from the city centre, this was the perfect place to relax before heading out for the evening.

We were looking forward to our meal out in York’s newest restaurant, the Star Inn the City, again, just a short walk away, on the banks of the River Ouse.

Run by one of Yorkshire’s top chefs, the award-winning Andrew Pern, of the famed 14th Century Star Inn at Harome, this new venture has proved an instant success. Within 24 hours of opening in November 2013, it took 5,000 bookings, so we were relieved to get a table.

With just a few hours to fill the next morning, we stumbled across the perfect girls-on-ashort- break treat.

York’s Chocolate Story offered not just a fascinating and inventive tour through the history of York’s most famous chocolate making families and their creations, from the Chocolate Orange to the Kit Kat, we got to meet a real-life chocolatier and make and taste chocolate like the professionals too.

And what girl doesn’t love chocolate? If we hadn’t had to head off for home, we may even have been tempted to stay for an evening workshop, including a chance to sample various ‘choctails’.

But that, perhaps, would have been a celebration too far…

Travel facts

  • For more information, visit visityork.org
  • The York Pass offers free entry to over 25 York attractions and tours yorkpass.com
  • The Star Inn The City, starinnthecity.co.uk
  • Hotel du Vin & Bistro, hotelduvin.com/locations/york/
  • Cedar Court Grand Hotel & Spa, cedarcourtgrand.co.uk
  • The Chocolate Story, yorkschocolatestory.com