In Britain, the upkeep of 72 lighthouses in England, Wales and the Channel Islands is overseen by Trinity House (Tower Hill, London, EC3N 4DH; phone 020 7481 6900, www.trinityhouse.co.uk), which was granted its charter by Henry VIII in 1514.

At 13 of these sites, visitors can stay in cottages that were once the homes of lighthouse keepers. Many have a minimum stay of two or three nights. 

Examples — three nights at Beacon Cottage, which is by Start Point Lighthouse in Devon and...

Based on Tom Blofeld’s series of books about Swampy, a two-foot-high marsh boggle, the 50-acre adventure park BeWILDerwood (phone 01 603 783900), in England’s Norfolk Broads, is aimed at children from four to 14.

Follow Swampy’s footsteps on a short boat journey through a marsh, along an aerial walkway through trees across a “broken” bridge with invisible glass and through a maze.

Open from March through October. Free for children under three feet tall; £7 (near $9) for...

With its self-guided cycling and hiking tours in 2010, Discover France (8502 E. Via de Ventura #124, Scottsdale, AZ 85258; 800/960-2221 or 480/905-1235) is including the use of Garmin GPS units.

Thirty-plus itineraries from four to 14 days are offered, with baggage transfer and emergency support. Example — the six-night “Alsace Wine Country” bicycle tour, from Strasbourg to Colmar, costs €898 ($1,170) per person, double occupancy, for two-star hotels and €1,125 ($1,591) for three- and...