Next month — April 11-13Warsaw, Poland: 85.71 pounds round trip
Fly Easyjet from London Luton to Warsaw.
Exploration of Warsaw should start along the royal route that links the post-World War II rebuilt royal castle with the palaces of Lazienki and Wilanow.
Children and adults will enjoy taking a gondola ride or feeding the swans in the park pond that surrounds Lazienki palace.
Further along the route is Palace Wilanow, a baroque residence where tourists can explore the royal apartments and visit the Polish Portrait Gallery. Visitors can see effigies of Polish monarchs, renowned artists and other honored Polish people at the portrait gallery.
The palace’s 111 acres of lush lawn, garden beds and water features offer visitors a serene locale for walking and escaping the busy city.
While a weekend in Warsaw does not afford enough time to explore the city’s 30 museums, the tourist information center suggests visiting two of its most popular: the National Museum, which houses more than 780,000 items ranging from maps to coins, and the Museum of the Polish Army, with its collections of arms.
Also recommended are the Frederick Chopin Parlor — dedicated to the composer’s life and works — and the Historical Museum of the Capital City, with exhibits of paintings, sculptures, photographs and more housed in a block of town houses.
Three months — June 5-8Gran Canaria, Spain: 104.28 pounds round trip
Fly Thomsonfly from London Gatwick to Gran Canaria.
The third-largest island of the Canary Islands, Gran Canaria offers plenty of fun in the sun for the whole family.
Spanish Fiestas’ travel guide asserts that tourists must visit the city of Las Palmas. Take a ride on the yellow open-top tour bus offering commentary on the many interesting attractions as well as information on the island’s volcanic past.
Visit Vegueta, the historic quarter, to find art galleries, museums and chapels, or visit the nearby neighborhood of Triana to shop trendy boutiques and enjoy tapas and drinks in outdoor cafes.
Although Las Palmas has a fine beach with a busy promenade, most tourists venture to the south and Playa de Ingles to sunbathe.
The largest resort on the island, Playa de Ingles has plenty of attractions to keep visitors busy day and night. Holidaymakers can spend the afternoon relaxing on the golden beach or partaking in a host of water sports. Be aware that the nearby dunes of Maspalomas is famous for their nude beaches. Get your exercise by walking the dunes or complete the journey by camel.
In the evenings, head to the Kasbah and Metro Centre complexes for late-night clubbing and bar-hopping. The Yumba Centre houses a large selection of restaurants, shops and entertainment venues for singles and families. After enjoying dinner, take in a cabaret drag show at La Belle.
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.
