Trollhättan, Sweden:162.84 pounds round trip
Fly Golden Air and Sterling from London Gatwick Airport to Trollhättan.
Explore this city along the Gota River starting with the Trollhättan Waterfalls. At 3 p.m. on Saturdays in June and every day in July and August, the Vattenfall power company releases 300,000 liters of water per second into the old river gorge, creating a picture-worthy sight.
Next, visit the Innovatum Science Center, home to many interactive exhibits that make you think like an engineer. Spend an afternoon touching and examining exhibits on natural sciences, energy, media and industrial history.
Vacationers interested in cars can visit the Saab Car Museum and walk among the displays of old models, concept cars and innovations. Factory tours of where many Saab sedans and wagons are made can be pre-arranged by e-mailingsaab.carmuseum@se.saab.com.
Take the Innovatum Aerial Cableway for a 400-meter trip to see parts of the town and Trollhätte canal below. For more about the canal’s history, visit the Canal Museum, which includes boat models, or take a canal tour boat and watch other water vessels maneuver through the four locks.
To see how the power of water is turned into electricity, take a guided tour in English of one of Sweden’s oldest buildings, the Hydropower Station Olidan.
Three Months — Aug. 15-17Grenoble, France:76.44 pounds
Fly Ryanair from London Stansted to Grenoble.
Near the junction of the Isère and Drac rivers, Grenoble is a gateway to the French Alps. There are more than 200 ski resorts, many offering skiing year-round, within a two-hour drive.
The mountain lakes offer beautiful sites for exploration on foot or by car, and fishing in the lakes and in some rivers is allowed most of the year for a fee. If just relaxing is your style, visit the many spas in the area.
Antique heaven can be found in the old town, the Notre Dame district, where jewelry, books and furniture can be found. Interesting shops, bars and numerous restaurants line the narrow streets.
No trip to Grenoble in December would be complete without a visit to the Christmas market at Place Victor Hugo, popular for its mulled wine, singing and lights. Browse the market stalls for chocolates, spiced bread, teas, decorations, candles, nativity sets and hundreds of small gifts.
According to the Grenoble Tourist Office, there are more than 90 events scheduled during the market.
Airfare prices include taxes and are courtesy of each airline’s 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.
