Here is a sampling of airfare offerings gleaned from the Web site Skyscanner.net. Be sure to check with the airline for the latest update on security and delays.
Next weekend — Oct. 13-15Costa Daurada, Spain: 96.40 pounds round trip
Fly Ryanair from London Stansted to Reus.
Great for family vacations, Costa Daurada offers something for everyone. Family visits should start with the PortAventura theme park with hosts Woody Woodpecker and friends. The park offers 100 daily shows and 30 rides through five exotic lands with plenty of restaurants to refuel in. If wet rides are more your style, visit the Aquopolis in La Pineda with its kamikaze slide, black hole, wave pools, river rapids and Aquamania triple slide.
For a change of pace, visit the Meravelles Caves of Benifallet and explore the many figures among the stalactites and stalagmites and other formations. Or visit the medieval town of Montblanc to explore the 1,500 meters of town walls with 32 towers.
Next month — Nov. 10-12Zagreb, Croatia: 42.19 pounds round trip
Fly Wizz Air from London Luton to Zagreb.
The city center of Zagreb is divided into two parts: the Gornhi grad and the Donji grad, both offering tourists plenty to see and do.
The Gornhi grad, or upper town, with its gaslamp-lit cobbled streets, is home to the presidential palace, Parliament, many museums, galleries and St. Mark’s historic church. Ilica, the main shopping street, is located in Donji grad, or lower town, along with many restaurants, cafes and theaters. While in lower town make a visit to the Museum of Arts and Crafts with furniture, ceramics, silverware, glassware, textiles and clocks displayed in chronological order.
After all that walking, sit and enjoy an Ozujsko Pivo, a high-quality Croatian beer, at one of the many cafes or restaurants along the city’s main pedestrian-only square, Ban Josip Jelacic.
Six months from now — April 13-15Eindhoven, Netherlands: 42.26 pounds round trip
Fly Ryanair from London Stansted to Eindhoven.
Bring an empty suitcase and the credit card because Eindhoven is definitely the place to shop till you drop.
Covered shopping center De Heuvel Galerie offers large department stores, a selection of boutiques and specialty shops. If you are looking for secondhand buys, antiques, collectibles and art, visit the pedestrian-only shopping area De Bergen. Visit the trendy boutiques of Hooghuisstraat for exclusive children’s fashions.
On Saturdays visit the city center market to browse the small-arts and collectibles for sale or Woenselse market, a short walk from the city center for produce, household goods, trinkets and more.
Take a break from shopping and visit the Philips First Incandescent Lamp Factory of 1891 and see how light bulbs used to be made at the oldest Philips factory.
Airfare prices are courtesy of the Web site www.skyscanner.net and are subject to change depending on availability. Prices include estimated taxes.
