For some years now a number of the airlines labelled “low-cost airlines in Europe have been taking part in a fares war trying to offer the lowest air fares to a huge number of cities throughout Europe. It’s not unusual to read that one of the leading budget carriers such as Easyjet or Ryanair is offering return flights from the UK to France, Spain or Germany for £1 (approx $1.45). There might be airport landing fees and taxes to be added to that, but it remains an absolute bargain if you’re looking to see a number of cities throughout Europe. The downside of these cheap flights is that they frequently make use of to the smaller municipal airports rather than the better known biginternational ones. This sometimes means that a flight that is advertised to a big European city actually lands some 50 miles away. In fact there are a number of plus-points with this situation, the regional airports often offer a much quicker service on luggage and check-in because they’re catering for a lot less flights. The downside is that transportation to and from these airfields can be patchy at best and an extremely popular option is to hire a car from the airport. The following are some of the great cities that we’ve visited whilst making use of cheap floghts from the low cost airlines. We are confident that you’ll enjoy a visit to any of these fine areas, without doubt they have plenty to offer the visitor to their shores.

Glasgow, Scotland

Glasgow was once a particularly ugly industrial monster but it has seen a Renaissance and has become a fascinating, architecturally divine city attracting huge numbers of tourists throughout the year. The chic West part of the city is home to the fourth oldest university in the United Kingdom. Perched on a hill amidst the Medieval region of Glasgow, the students add greatly to the vibrant, fun loving and cosmopolitan atmosphere of the area. The budget carriers use Prestwick Airport some 51 km (35 miles) to the north east of the centre of Glasgow and you will find a good road between the airport and Glasgow city centre. It’s a popular sightseeing area, so it is advisable to rent a car in Glasgow in advance of your journey. An uncrowded 30 minute drive from the airport terminal along the M77 motorway takes you to the centre of the city. Glasgow is an ideal base for an adventure in the Trossachs National Park. Just 13 mile (20 km) drive out of the city and you might find yourself enjoying stunning countryside aback a pony, whereas a 30 mile (50 km) drive east using another excellent motorway will find you in Edinburgh , the city of festivals complete with Princes Street shopping, Holyrood Palace, Edinburgh Castle and the seaside.

Florence, Italy

Undoubtedly one of the most stunningly beautiful locations in Europe, Florence is served by Pisa Airport, which is 50 miles (84 km) west of the city. Rent a car at Pisa airport and you’ll be in position to explore Pisa’s leaning tower, majestic Florence and some of Europe’s most picturesque countryside, that of the majestically beautiful Tuscany. It therefore will not come as a huge surprise that Florence is high in the popularity stakes when considering European cities. Once you arrive at the city of Florence you will discover that a large proportion of the centre is pedestrianized protecting its many ancient statues and architectural treasures from the vibrations and pollution associated with busy roads. As a result you are overtaken by a feeling of peace and quiet as you meander from one monument to the next. You don’t have to walk too far before experiencing the ghastly, ear piercing roar from the scooter riders of Florence. Other than the Ponte Vecchio the remainder of the bridges leading to city centre are noisy, polluted places, thus giving us a further reason to stay within the ancient alleyways and peaceful sanctuaries of Florence’s beautiful piazzas.

Tours, France

Tours, set amongst the famed Loire Valley chateaux with not a solitary chateau to its name! The ideal centre for exploring the Loire Valley renowned for its wonderful array of palatial residences, the city boasts quite a few of its own charms. Although the small airport is but a few miles out of town, it’s pretty much essential that you hire a car in the Loire Valley in order to explore some of the most stunning towns and villages in the whole of France. A host of cultural treasures will be found along the banks of the Loire. A UNESCO site, the Loire Valley offers scenic countryside, historic villages and lots of flamboyant castles. Formerly the “Retreat of Kings” back in the days of the Renaissance and the middle ages, the Loire Valley was a firm savourite of the French monarchy. Originally constructed as working fortified castles, the buildings were converted into the palatial chaeaux that you can see today. Visitors from around the world are drawn to the historic towns that are situated along the banks of the Loire. Towns such as Chinon, Tours and Orleans have lots to see and do whilst the most popular chateau is maybe that on the Chambord Estate. Throughout the area you will discover small, family owned vineyards offering a variety of great wines at very low prices. Look out for the word “degustation”, which means sampling I guess, and as long as ‘Le Patron’ is not enjoying a long leisurely lunch you will be made very welcome and he will be more than willing to lead you through a tasting of all his wines. Naturally, it is strongly advised that you take a tee-totaller as your driver, some of these tasting sessions can become extremely alcoholic!.

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