The Last-Chance Saloon

Today: Paris

Call Eurostar (0990 186186) today and in a couple of hours you could be on your way to Paris for pounds 99. Trains leave from London Waterloo every hour and take three hours to get to Paris. Today being Saturday, you have to stay over in the French capital only tonight to be able to take advantage of the cheaper fare rate, compared with having to pay a further pounds 150 if you want to come home today.

Tomorrow: Thailand

Trailfinders (0171-938 3366) can arrange a seven-night stay for two in Thailand for pounds 1,024 per person. This price includes a KLM return flight to Bangkok, via Amsterdam, that leaves Heathrow at 2.20pm and gets into the Thai capital at 11.40am on Monday. From there, a Thai Airlines flight will take you to the island of Phuket, where you will stay at the Dusit Laguna hotel. To get hold of the tickets, you can go to 48-50 Earls Court Road, London, to pick them up, or get Trailfinders to drop them off at Heathrow by motorcycle courier, which will cost you an extra pounds 30.

Monday: Alton Towers

For pounds 35 you can get an all-inclusive ticket to Alton Towers. One child up to four years old travels free with each paying adult. If you call Midland Mainline (0345 125 678) by 6pm tomorrow you could be on your way at 7.25am from London St Pancras. You can arrive back in London at 7.44pm.

Tuesday: Australia

Travelbag (0171-287 5556), can arrange a seven-night stay in Melbourne for pounds 859.80 per person, based on two sharing. The Emirates flight leaves Heathrow at 1.45pm and goes via Dubai. There is a stop from 11.30pm until 2.45am when a second flight departs for Melbourne, arriving in Australia at 12.25am. From the airport, you take a cab to the three-star Batman Hill hotel. The return flight departs at 7.20pm on 26 August, and arrives at Heathrow at 12.15pm the next day.

Wednesday: West France

If you fancy stretching your legs, try the Cycling For Softies (0161- 248 8282) three-night break in Poitiers. For pounds 485 per person, based on two sharing, you can spend the nights of 18, 19 and 20 August, in hotels in the north of the Poitou-Charente region of France. The price includes a gourmet meal each night and train connections, including Eurostar, from London Waterloo

Thursday: Greece

Thomson (09905 02555) has a last-minute offer to Kos, for pounds 394 per person, based on two sharing for seven nights. The flight leaves Manchester at 8.30am. In Kos, accommodation will be allocated by a Thomson representative. Whichever resort you are allocated, the accommodation is self-catering. This price includes insurance and transfers. The return flight arrives back in Manchester at 3.35pm on 26 August

Friday: New York

For a hedonistic weekend break in The Big Apple, Flightbookers (0171- 757 2301), has flights available on American Airlines departing from Heathrow at 10am, which get into JFK airport at 12.50pm. From there you will have to make your own way, eg by cab, to the Riverside Hotel, which is at The Ramada Milford Plaza, 270 West 45th Street. You then have four nights to experience as much of this city as you can. The return flight leaves New York at 9.15pm on Tuesday and arrives back in London at 9.15 the next morning. The cost is pounds 380.40 per person based on two sharing.