If you’re lucky enough to be headed away on holidays anytime soon then why not check out one of our picks for some of the strangest stays imaginable. You’re guaranteed a great story if nothing else, and best of all – all five are in Europe so only a short distance, and hopefully a cheap plane ticket, away.

Jail Hotel – Switzerland

Feel like a total rule-breaker with a short spell behind bars. The Jailhotel Löwengraben in Lucerne, Switzerland was built in 1862 and used as a prison until 1998. Nowadays, you can pay to stay instead of planning your escape. Be warned – if you’re looking for luxury this is not the spot for you. Facilities are basic to say the least, but it’s a story to tell the grandkids one day (this one time, in jail…) and a relatively cheap base to explore the gorgeous Swiss town of Lucerne.

http://www.jailhotel.ch/

Jumbo Jet – Sweden

Aviation enthusiasts – why not spend the night in a Boeing 747 named Liz? She lives at Stockholm’s Arlanda airport, so a stay there is the perfect way to start, or indeed round off, a trip to Sweden. There are 27 rooms on offer, the priciest of which is the Cockpit Suite where you can play pilot to your heart’s content.

http://www.jumbostay.com/

Trojan Horse – Belgium

Play Greek soldier at La Balade Des Gnomes in Belgium, where you can stay in a Trojan horse. Fairytale fans will be in heaven in this architectural triumph, with ten bedrooms all inspired by the stories that sent you off to magical dreams as a child. One room even comes complete with a little sailing boat waiting on the water.  Big kids should make like Alice and head for this fairytale wonderland.

http://www.labaladedesgnomes.be/

Glass Igloo - Finland

No bikins and suncream required for this sojourn. Instead, wrap up tight and book your stay in an Igloo village. Winter travellers to Hotel Kakslauttanen, located above the Artic Circle in Santa’s home ground of Lapland, can make themselves at home in either a traditional snow igloo or futuristic glass creation. Warm up with a bevvy from the on-site ice bar. Magical.

http://www.kakslauttanen.fi/en/

TV Tower – The Netherlands

Is too obvious to say you’ll get a great reception? The Euromast TV tower, built in the 1960’s, accepts guests to one of two suites named ‘Heaven’ and ‘Stars’. The tower commands the best views of Rotterdam you’re likely to get, and adventure enthusiasts will be in heaven, (even if they’re staying in ‘Stars’), as you can abseil or rope-slide down the buildings 100m height.

http://www.euromast.nl/