The significance of Schengen is that it is the village where France, Germany and Luxembourg all meet. Balloons carry 8-16 passengers, but you must be over 4ft 6ins.Who's going? A member of the CAA, Virgin Balloon Flights Ltd, Unit 1, Stafford Park 12, Telford, Shropshire (01952 200141), offer trips year round for pounds 135 per person.14SCHENGEN, LUXEMBOURGThe place to visit, if you are a good European, is Schengen, in the far south of the country (this being Luxembourg, the far south is not very far away at all). Worth it for the traditional after-flight champagne toast and commemorative certificates alone. Book before 25 Mar to catch its offer of two flights for the price of one: a mere pounds 80 for return flights for two.13HOT-AIR BALLOONING"For a great buzz closer to home, try your hand at ballooning," suggests Victoria Choose from over 200 UK take-off sites for an hour's flight.
"Access to the area is by funicular from the top of the main - and only - street in the village," says Cathy. There are several reasonable hotels and restaurants, as well as a cinema and thermal baths.Who's going? Ryanair (0541 569569) flies to Carcassonne, from which Bareges is a pleasant drive through the mountains. Simon advises the crafty bargain-seeker to keep an eye on the FO advice (0171-238 4503), "but aim for a beach break at the much- underrated city of Tel Aviv - and its historic neighbour, Jaffa".Who's going? Pullman Holidays (0171-630 5111) has six flights a week from Gatwick to Tel Aviv, and can organise holidays such as an all-inclusive week at the Centre Hotel, Tel Aviv, for pounds 330.12BAREGES, FRANCEThe small spa of Bareges, in the Pyrenees, is the gateway to around 75 miles of pistes, which spread acress the Col du Tourmalet over to La Mongie. Hundreds of holidaymakers were flown home from the Red Sea resort of Eilat.
And at any time of the winter, Harriet recommends a visit to "find out how appallingly miserly the great bard was".Who's going? Grasmere tourist information centre (015394 35245; Sat & Sun 10am-3.30pm). A Virgin Value ticket (0345 222333) from Euston to Oxenholme costs pounds 25 return; from there, Grasmere is a 15min local train ride and a 32-min bus journey away.11EILAT, ISRAELTourism chiefs in Israel at the end of 1998 watched aghast as the Foreign Office kept changing its travel advice, during and after the airstrikes against Iraq. From 23 to 25 Jan, a Weekend Book Fair takes place; from 8 to 13 Feb, the Wordsworth Winter School is in session. "It's so lovely." recalls Simon, "that you even stop noticing the drunken Finns on duty-free binges."Who's going? Regent Holidays of Bristol (0117-921 1711) offers a three- night break in Tallinn for a mere pounds 199, incl twin room and flights.10GRASMEREWordsworth's home, Dove Cottage, takes advantage of the coachload lull in January and February to host some literary events. Street-sign makers have replaced "Lenin" with "Freedom" and "Marx" with "Friendship", and Estonia is now ready for visitors. The capital has pastel-shaded houses and winding lanes, topped by the spires of rejuvenated churches.
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