Cheeky Greek saver
LAND 40 per cent off a Greek getaway with Aegan Air. Book by Wednesday for jaw-dropping discounts on direct flights from all destinations to Athens, Thessaloniki, Heraklion, Rhodes and Kalamata.
It means you will have more cash in your pocket on a stroll through Plaka, the historic heart of Athens, or hanging out on a rooftop bar in the city. See aegeanair.com. THE Christmas decorations may be down but there is still lots of sparkle ahead. We have selected a year’s worth of dazzling shows to make sure you feel aglow on your holidays.
Nature’s best
The Northern Lights, all winter
Nature’s very own light show, the aurora borealis, brightens our darkness with greens and yellows all over the frozen north at this time of year.
In the UK, if you are lucky, it can be seen from Northumberland Dark Sky Park. You can stay in a Landal Forest Lodge – it costs from £329 for a lodge that sleeps four. See hoseasons.co.uk.
Up your chances in the Arctic Circle with a specialist company such as Aurora Zone, staying in northern Finland, surrounded by snowy forest. Its four-night Rovaniemi Arctic Circle Wilderness Lodge trip costs £1,375, with flights, activities and half-board accommodation.
If the skies are cloudy you can always fork out a further £376 to go up in a flightseeing private jet. See theaurorazone.com.
Art sparkle Copenhagen, February 1-24
Danes are renowned for design, so expect something special for the Copenhagen Light Festival, taking over the capital’s winter streets.
Districts from Nordhavn to Orestad will be lit up, with 40 light and art installations on old buildings, squares and canals. Enjoy the festival independently or join one of the guided tours. See copenhagenlightfestival.org.
Meanwhile, Cities Direct offers a two-night break in Copenhagen, including flights and hotel, from £199. See citiesdirect.co.uk.
Rhine on fire Germany, May to September
The river Rhine is a Unesco World Heritage Site because of its castles, vineyards and romantic villages. The best bit, between Koblenz and Bingen, comes alive every summer in a series of Rhine in Flames events. Cruise boats are lit up for glittering, stately parades, while fireworks, light shows and beacons respond from the land.
Burning fortresses are reflected in the Rhine’s waters, accompanied by the thunder of firecrackers echoing off the hillsides – and plenty of good Rhine wine.
Events run on different parts of the river and details are at rhein-in-flammen.com. River Cruise Line has eight-day cruises from £820, full board. See rivercruiseline.co.uk.
Shining solstice Austria, June 22
The Austrian Tyrol has marked the longest day with bonfires since the Middle Ages. Local clubs climb mountains, build mighty bonfires and light them once the sun sets.
One of the best places for it is St Johann in Tyrol, next to Kitzbuhel. Here, bonfires bring the ridges and peaks to life, and guests should take the Harschbichl lifts for a super view.
A seven-night stay at Hotel Park in St Johann costs from £726, including half-board accommodation and flights. See tui.co.uk.
Explosive fun Plymouth, August 14-15
The British Firework Championships bring two nights of breathtaking pyrotechnics to the Plymouth waterfront, where Sir Francis Drake’s ships set off back in 1588 to disperse the Spanish Armada.
It is one of the biggest firework displays in the country as companies across the UK compete co to be crowned the best. Holding a display d like this in midsummer means a late start. st More details on visitplymouth.co.uk.
Come to visit and stay in Pentillie Castle on th the banks of the river Tamar, just outside town. D Doubles cost from £115, including breakfast. Se See pentillie.co.uk.
Old fave
Blackpool, August 30-November 3
The Th famous Blackpool Illuminations, which etch out o the tower, Pleasure Beach and golden mile, are ar a proper British seaside spectacle.
It is not just the lasers, neon, fibre optics, se searchlights and floodlights that make this sp special – there are performances too, and set p pieces made out of wood studded with winking lig lights that seem to move.
The Illuminations are a family favourite, at attracting some 3.5 million visitors who splash