Places to whisk your other half off for under £100

With many of us feeling the need to tighten belts and ease up on expenditure in these economically gloomy times, it still matters to arrange for a little beam of sunlight to cut through the grey mist every so often. And getting away from home for a couple of days is one very effective way of introducing some much needed levity and fun into the routines of life. For everyone on a tightened budget, this might seem like a wishful daydream, but there some great offers to be found out there which will get you out of the house (relaxing by spending the weekend catching up on piled up housework is a curious way of recharging your batteries for the week ahead).

One thing to get used to right from the start – if your destination involves flying, forget the more prestigious airlines. For £100, you’re going with Easyjet or Ryanair. And don’t even try to leave on Friday and come back Sunday – this is the most expensive way of taking a weekend break. As a general rule, you’ll save a lot more money if you fly out on Saturday and come home on Monday, so book Monday off work. And one final point: don’t expect to live in five-star grandeur in your European hotel – your budget means that you’re going to have to make do with basic. Which, when you think of it, isn’t really a big deal – you’re only going to be sleeping there, and only for two nights.

Bergamo, Italy

How about a stay in the beautiful, walled town of Bergamo in Italy? The Ciccio B&B is usually very reasonable (around £44 for a double) and you can see some amazing sites for free. Like, for example, the stunning Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiori, which was begun in the 12th century. Or take in the panoramic views from the Rocca, a fort constructed to keep the Milanese at bay (Bergamo is about 15 miles from Milan). And hop on one of the very incredibly trains and take a look at the breathtaking Lake Como.

If you’d rather not use up precious hours going to and from the airport and sitting in a metal cylinder as it flies through the air, there are some excellent breaks available in the UK. Check out the beautiful Best Western Studley Castle, an imposing medieval castle standing proudly in Shakespeare’s birthplace, Stratford-upon-Avon. It has a welcoming bar, a superb restaurant, and a steam room and sauna for staying guests. It’s the idea place for a weekend in the Bard’s home town.

Stratford-Upon-Avon

Or, you might like to consider the Georgian grandeur of The Royal Terrace Hotel if bonny Scotland tickles your fancy. It’s located on a quiet, tree-lined street just a few minutes walk from Edinburgh city centre’s main shopping area. In the summer, you can sit in the gorgeous gardens for a spot of outdoor dining or evening aperitifs and it, too, has a steam room and sauna. And a gym. And a heated swimming pool.

You could decide to home in on London, and you won’t be disappointed if you checked in to the swanky Corus Hyde Park Hotel. A completely renovated and refurbished traditional building, the Corus has a gleaming but inviting bar and a relaxed brasserie serving tasty food. Perfect for rounding off a stroll though the nearby park or a movie in the West End.

If you prefer rolling hills and lush countryside, there are few places to match the wonderful Cotswolds. Try a couple of nights at Heythrop Park in Chippingdom. This Grade II listed building was originally built in the 18th Century, but it’s been lovingly restored and tastefully modernised so that its aristocratic charm has been carefully preserved. Sip a G&T in the luxurious bar before taking a meal in the restaurant, then stroll through the beautiful gardens. You’ll find a modern gym and an indoor pool, too, so you can work away any excess weight you might have accrued the evening before.

Amsterdam

A romantic, unusual option is a mini-cruise weekend break to Amsterdam from Newcastle. You’ll spend two nights on board a modern cruise ferry, being generously fed and pleasantly entertained as you sail to and from Holland. You sail overnight in an en suite cabin for two and then take a coach trip to the centre of Amsterdam the following morning. Either stay on the coach for a guided tour of the city, or go and explore on your own. You’ll be heading for home again later in the evening. The basic price is £89, but if you want breakfasts (or breakfasts and dinners) you’ll have to breach the £100 limit – the cost rises to £107 and £147, respectively. Check the bargainshortbreaks.com website for further details.

Provided you’re clear that you’re simply taking a short break to interrupt the tedium of yet another weekend of running the vacuum cleaner, getting the shopping, dusting the shelves and doing the laundry, you won’t be disappointed. You’ll be retuning to work on Tuesday morning with a bounce in your step instead of bags under your eyes. And it really will feel like a proper rest – we all know that weekends seem to vanish in the blink of an eye when you’re at home. You go to bed on Friday evening and all of a sudden it’s 6.30am on Monday morning. When you take a cheap break like the ones suggested here, you’ll genuinely feel like you’ve had a little holiday.

If you’re after Hollywood A-list luxury, these little breaks are not for you; they’re ideal for couples who just want to take in a little sightseeing and have a pleasant meal in the evening. Leave that Hoover in the cupboard under the stairs this weekend; go for a cheap jaunt instead.