Travel on the cheap: Weekend escapes for under £100

Exquisite interior design and a stellar, riverside location await at The Swan Hotel & Spa in Newby Bridge, close to plenty of good walking routes. The hotel is currently offering 50% off rooms for stays until February 16, taking the price of a room down to £35 per night (£17.25 per person). [Photo: The Swan Hotel & Spa]

Big Time offenders: Big-time offenders, including economic offenders fleeing the country will now face legislative changes, even a new law, under which their assets in the country will be confiscated till they subject themselves to the law of the land, says Jaitley. Needless to say, all constitutional safeguards will be provided. A new law to confiscate assets of persons who have fled the country will be introduced. (Jaitley hints at Vijay Mallya)

You’ll feel like you’re heading abroad when you set sail for the Isle of Wight, where Bay is a quaint hut surrounded by countryside in Wootton, just a few miles from Newport. Two nights’ self-catering costs from £72.50 per person (£145) and Wightlink ferries are available from £53 per vehicle – making the whole trip cost £99 per person. [Photo: Blue Chip Holidays]

How about popping to Barcelona for a Valentine’s escape that uses up no annual leave? A trip with return flights costs from £90 per person thanks to the Travel Republic sale. Departing Stansted on February 11, and based on two adults sharing, you get one night at the 4* Ilunion Belart. [Photo: Flickr / Jorge Franganillo]

Kick back in the Cotswolds with a stay in back-to-nature bolthole The Fish Hotel. Set in a 400-acre private estate, you can try activities like archery, quad biking and hiking before bedding down in your Scandi-style bedroom. B&B starts at £85 per room, per night. [Photo: The Fish Hotel]

How about a break in the Italian capital for under £100, including your flights and hotel? Two nights’ B&B at the 4* Excel Roma MonteMario is from £91 per person, based on two sharing. The price includes return flights from London Gatwick on February 1. [Photo: Flickr / Moyan Brenn]

Sitting along on a private creek amidst 55 acres of farmland, you’ll feel like you have the world to yourself in this recently-opened shepherd’s hut – even though it’s conveniently located just 20 minutes from Colchester by car. Inside, there’s a king size bed, wood burner and locally sourced hamper treats. One night’s self-catering costs from £100 (£50 per person). [Photo: coolcamping.com]

Forget pricey Iceland and Norway – head to the Scottish Highlands and you could see the Northern Lights without even leaving the UK. The town of Nairn is known as one of the best places to witness the Aurora, where two nights’ B&B at the 4* Newton Hotel costs from £88 per person. Based on two sharing, it also includes one three-course dinner. [Photo: Flickr / Kris Williams]

Go back to basics and enjoy total seclusion in this bothy, which is close to the South West Coast Path and overlooks Bideford Bay in North Devon. There is no form of heating or electricity, but this rural retreat offers views aplenty. From £20 per night. [Photo: National Trust / Justin Seedhouse]

Explore Lisbon’s cobbled streets, vibrant nightlife and scrumptious Portuguese tarts during a city break that won’t cost the earth. Travel Republic has two nights’ room-only at the 3* Residencial O Paradouro from £98 per person. Based on two sharing this includes return flights from Stansted in February. [Photo: Flickr / mgkm photography]

For a right royal stay without the gilded price tag, book into Warwick Castle, where you can spend two days exploring and enjoying a candlelit dinner for Valentine’s Day. The price of £77 per person includes one night’s B&B accommodation in a medieval-themed Woodland Lodge, two days’ priority entrance to the castle, prosecco upon arrival and a romantic dinner accompanied by a string quartet. [Photo: Warwick Castle]

Feeling adventurous? Then try your hand at climbing high wires, bridges, ladders and tunnels – all in the treetops. The Vale Resort in Margam Park, South Wales, features a Go Ape course – complete with a zip wire – and breaks cost from £66 per person. The price includes one night’s B&B in 4* accommodation and up to three hours of monkeying around at Go Ape. [Photo: Go Ape]

A good music scene and plenty of wining and dining opportunities await in Riga, the capital of Latvia, which is peppered with pretty canals, Art Nouveau architecture and parks. Two nights’ B&B at the 4* Rixwell Gertrude is from £99 per person with Broadway Travel, including return flights from various UK airports. Valid until April and subject to availability. [Photo: Flickr / IVAN 63]

You don’t have to break the law to sleep in prison – this cell in Margate has been lovingly converted into a quirky bedroom complete with a bunk bed, hot water bottles and rustic tin mugs. The room, which sleeps two and is attached to a Georgian house, starts at £75 per night and is ideally located for exploring this seaside town. [Photo: Host Unusual]

Take afternoon tea in the beautiful Jacobean country house Redworth Hall Hotel, which is set within landscaped gardens close to the Durham Dales. The price of £59 per person includes one night’s B&B accommodation and afternoon tea. [Photo: Great Little Breaks]