Scandinavian city weekends can also be arranged.Scantours: 071-839 2927INCLUSIVE LONERS: The independent-minded traveller, who wants flexibility of transport and time but demands quality accommodation and the benefits of inclusive rates, will find all these in the portfolio of the 27-year-old Time Off.A total of 28 destinations includes several 'new' smaller cities. Instead, the population is heartwarmingly friendly, delighted to welcome Western visitors.No visa is required for Tallinn, but one may be needed for Riga and other Baltic cities. Three nights in Santiago cost pounds 257, or pounds 422 at the Reyes Catolicos, including b&b, direct Iberia flights from Gatwick and, as in all Mundi Color city packages, transfers by taxi or private car from and back to the airport (most operators leave out the return transfer).Mundi Color: 071-828 6021BALTIC BOOST: Scandinavian specialist Scantours combines Helsinki with the Baltic capitals on its four-night break costing pounds 420- pounds 500.Two nights are spent in Helsinki, the clean, cool Finnish capital, the other in either Tallinn, Estonia's capital, or Latvia's capital, Riga, two Hanseatic walled cities, fascinating both for their old quarters of narrow streets, cafes and churches, and for the barbed wire leftovers of the more recent Communist regimes, which they have kept as symbolic monuments to their freedom.No McDonalds or Benettons as yet, no great de-luxe facilities either, nor are the cities as yet geared up for highly organised tourism. Founded as a hospital for pilgrims by Ferdinand and Isabella in 1499, Reyes Catolicos is now a great luxury hotel, but still feeds some pilgrims each day for free.Mundi Color offers this as a weekend break, along with other Spanish cities such as Jerez, with its almost claustrophobic sherry culture, and the Moorish trio of Cordoba, Seville and Granada, or Alicante, Oviedo and Zaragossa. The hotel has several restaurants and bars, tennis courts, jacuzzi, gymnasium, a beach, several swimming pools and waterfalls.The price, from pounds 1,330 for four nights, includes meals, three Stretching and Relaxation Classes, two Oil, Salt and Mineral Massages, two Classical Massages, a Facial, Head and Scalp Massage, Reflexology Massage and Sauna Treatment, as well as fruit, vegetable or yoghurt cocktails.Superstar Holidays: 071-437 9277CITY BREAKSSPANISH FLIES: One of the most romantic European cities - perfect apart from its climate, which is the wettest in Spain - Santiago de Compostella has one of the greatest examples of Spanish Romanesque architecture in its 11th-century cathedral, which houses the ancient tomb of St James.Santiago also has 40 other churches, student cellars, beautiful squares, and possibly the world's oldest hotel, the Parador Hostal de Los Reyes Catolicos.

Prices are Fr280 (about pounds 35) per day, half- board (travel not included).La Croix du Reh: 010 33 5569 7537GERMAN ADVENT: A series of weekend shopping trips and festivals are offered by DER Travel at the end of November and the first two weekends in December.There is a choice of destinations: Augsburg, where the historic town hall is transformed into a giant Advent calendar from where 'Christmas angels' perform for the spectators below; Nuremberg, where Germany's oldest and best-known Christmas market is held in the Old Town; the picture postcard medieval town of Rothenburg; and Munich, which stages one of the country's most extensive markets.A three-night visit, with accommodation and breakfast and departures from London Heathrow, Birmingham, Manchester and Glasgow, costs from pounds 338.DER Travel Service: 071-290 1111RED SEA SOOTHER: Superstar Holidays offers a special anti-stress package at the Eilat Princess Hotel, Israel, either in a de-luxe double room or a suite, flying Club Class on El Al. Crafts are also covered - ceramics, porcelain decoration and woodwork - with the help of local experts. The ferry crossing for car and passengers, one night's bed and breakfast accommodation and a two-hour ride costs pounds 113, pounds 41 for additional nights.A cycling tour of Brittany staying at a Ferme Auberge guesthouse, with bicycle and detailed route maps provided, costs from pounds 222 for six nights' bed and breakfast, pounds 307 half-board, including the ferry crossing and supply of a bike.Ballooning in the Loire Valley ( pounds 229 for one night, pounds 66 for additional nights) and special fitness breaks in Normandy (from pounds 108 for the first night, pounds 76 subsequent nights) are also available, all including the ferry crossing for passengers and car.Stena Sealink Line: 0233 647033SCOTTISH ANGLE: Fishing breaks are a feature of La Croix du Reh hotel in Limousin, run by a Scottish couple, the McLaughlins, in their attractive house with lovely gardens in a sleepy old village at the foot of the Millevaches plateau. Gentle three-night cycling weekends (17-22 miles per day) are also offered in Normandy for pounds 139- pounds 149.InnTravel: 0653 628811LE WEEKEND SPORTIF: A hectic programme of themed and activity breaks across the Channel, neatly wrapped into mini-packages by Stena Sealink Line, should appeal to horse riders, balloonists and cyclists as well as fitness addicts.Three miles from St Omer, and fewer than 30 from Calais, the Chateau Tilques offers riding through the Audomarois Natural Park. The price of pounds 155- pounds 162 for three nights includes the ferry crossing. Picnic lunches en route are provided, and a taxi takes you back to your car at the end of the trip, which can be extended a night to explore more walks round the pretty village of Clecy. Accommodation is in local inns, to which luggage is transported each night.

Lots of activities at the hotel itself, including putting green and practice bays, with the nearest course at Valbonne and Mougins, 10 minutes away ( pounds 375- pounds 439).Other French golfing trips from Longshot: two-night, self-drive breaks to Le Touquet from pounds 129, three-night air breaks Chantilly pounds 216.British Airways Holidays: 0293 611311; Longshot: 0730 268621; Brittany Ferries (self-drive holidays): 01752 269926NORMAN CONQUESTS: Seven to 10 miles per day walking through the wooded gorges and hidden hamlets beside the River Orne in France's Suisse Normande are included in the InnTravel weekend programme of independent walks. The break costs pounds 345- pounds 395 and includes flights, car hire, accommodation and discounted green fees of between pounds 18- pounds 23per round, with pre-booked times.BA Holidays also offers a break based at the Sofitel Pullman Country Club in Sophia Antipolis - described as a futuristic or factory village, according to taste - 16 minutes from Nice. The hotel has its own 18-hole, par 72, 6,550-yard course built by Ronald Frean, with professionals from the Leadbetter Golf Academy. But new to British Airways Holidays golf programme is three nights in Provence, based on the Hotel Montpellier Massane, a few minutes from the lovely university town of Montpellier. The hot-air balloon excursion costs pounds 149.Crystal Holidays: 081-390 9900TEE FOR TOUR: Golfing breaks galore in autumn and winter, mainly to Portugal, the Costa del Sol and northern France. The ballooning (weather permitting) costs pounds 90, which includes the guide and insurance.Mundi Color: 071-828 6021HIGH DUCHY: As an addition to its short breaks to Luxembourg, Crystal Holidays offers a one-hour balloon flight over this small country, with a glass of champagne to celebrate the event and a certificate proving participation.The basic price for a two-night break is from pounds 199 to the end ofNovember, pounds 195 in December, three nights from pounds 246 and pounds 239 respectively, to include flights from Stanstead (Heathrow pounds 10 extra),hotel accommodation and buffet breakfast, and transfers betweenairport and hotel.