Departures: 'Real holiday' review

HERE is a selection of the latest brochures, aimed at the independent traveller, which you are unlikely to find at your high-street travel agent.

Cycling for Softies (061 248 8282): Inclusive cycling holidays to nine regions of France. For example: an 11-day 'Gentle Tourer' holiday based in north- west France costs from pounds 587 to pounds 617 per person depending on season. The price includes half-board accommodation, cycle hire, all transfers and return air travel from Gatwick or Heathrow.

Sunvil Holidays (081-568 4499): Three new programmes have been published this week by this highly regarded independent travel company: Specialist Greece, Specialist Cyprus and Fly Drives & Islands. Specialist Greece features destinations exclusive to Sunvil, such as Maltas in Corfu, Chrani in the South Peloponnese and Folegandros in the Cyclades. Seven-night packages to Lemnos, for example, using Sunvil's direct flight from the UK, cost from pounds 276 to pounds 899 depending on the grade of accommodation and season.