Next month — April 18-20Munich, Germany: 74.98 pounds round trip
Fly Easyjet from London Stansted to Munich.
Tourists with only a weekend to spend in Munich should start at one of the city’s more popular attractions — the Nymphenburg Palace, Park and Pavilions. Explore many of the staterooms, the fresco-ceiling banquet room and the Gallery of Beauties in the lavishly decorated baroque palace.
Enjoy a walk around the landscaped park, seeking out its secluded pavilions — Amalienburg with an intriguing circular hall of mirrors, Badenburg with a heated tile pool that was unique for its time, the Oriental-themed Pagodenburg and the gloomy Magdalenenklause.
Another popular Munich attraction is the Schleissheim palace complex, which consists of three unique residences. The new palace’s highlights include the great hall, Victorian Hall and the State Gallery of European Baroque Painting.
The late-Renaissance old palace houses exhibits from the Bavarian National Museum and a collection of popular religious art, while the Hunting Palace houses a valuable collection of porcelain.
According to Munich’s tourist information office, the city’s most popular open-air market, Victuals Market, is the place to find fresh fruits and vegetables, cheeses, spices and fresh-squeezed juices. It also serves as a venue for traditional festivals. At the market, pick up a handmade straw puppet — an unique souvenir for a youngster.
Next to the market, stop at the Schrannenhalle, a rebuilt grain hall, for a Bavarian meal at one of the fine restaurants inside.
Three months — June 13-15Copenhagen, Denmark: 62.99 pounds round trip
Fly Easyjet from London Stansted to Copenhagen.
Families may wish to begin their exploration of this old city at Tivoli Gardens, a popular amusement park in the center of the city. The park dates to 1844 and offers visitors 32 restaurants, along with amusement rides, pantomimes and concerts.
Make a quick stop at the tourist information center across from Tivoli to buy a CPHCard that provides access to more than 60 museums and attractions, transportation and restaurant discounts, along with a helpful guide to attractions.
The guide recommends several places not to be missed, among them the city’s most popular attraction — the frequently photographed “Little Mermaid” statue.
Two must-see museums are the National Museum, which provides a comprehensive look at Denmark’s history to the present day, and the National Gallery, which holds a large collection of sculptures, drawings, and Danish and international paintings.
At noon, stop by the royal couple’s winter residence, Amalienborg Palace, to watch the changing of the guard.
From there, make the small trek to Stogert, Denmark’s major shopping street, to enjoy some afternoon shopping or watch street performers.
After a long day of walking, recover with a leisurely boat tour of the old canals that pass many of the city’s famous sites.
Airfare prices include taxes and are courtesy of each airlines Web site. Prices were verified as of Monday afternoon when Stripes UK went to press. Deals are not guaranteed to be available; restrictions may apply.
