FOR AS LITTLE AS...

pounds 11.95

northern France is within your reach. This price will get you to St Malo, Caen, Roscoff or Cherbourg from various south coast ports for a return day-trip - as long as you travel before 23 May. Enjoy France, then enjoy the duty free on the way home. Brittany Ferries (tel: 0990 900800).

pounds 149

you can grab the cheapest available holiday in Sunset Holidays' Canary Islands brochure. This price will get you seven nights' self- catering in Tenerife or Fuerteventura, departing from Gatwick in mid- December. Sunset Holidays (tel: 0181-218 3300).

pounds 153.50

including all passenger taxes, it will be possible to fly from London Luton to Perugia in the heart of Italy's Umbria, starting from 1 June. Perugia is equidistant between Florence and Rome, and ideal for tours of northern Italy. Debonair (tel: 0541 500146).

pounds 213

British tourists with an unnatural loathing of Cornwall can travel to the German city of Stuttgart to view next August's eclipse. This price is for a two-night break (10 and 11 August) with flights in a luxury hotel based on two sharing. Stuttgart, which lies right in the path of the eclipse, is much more likely to enjoy clear skies than the UK. German Travel Centre (tel: 0181-429 2900).

pounds 308

per person, two people can join in the lavender harvesting for seven nights on the Croatian island of Hvar this June. Self-catering accommodation comprises small pavilions in pine forests, overlooking a rocky Mediterranean beach. Price includes return flights from the UK to Split. Note that Croatia is unaffected by the Balkans war. Holiday Options (tel: 01444 244499).

pounds 319

A golf-playing parent can enjoy his or her favourite pursuit for a week in rural Shropshire this summer, while the children are hard at it, engaging in multi-activities - from treasure hunts to circus skills to abseiling. Children go for between pounds 219 and pounds 289 per week, depending on their age. Family activity holidays run from 24 July-28 August. Prices include seven nights' accommodation, all meals and activities, plus an Alton Tower visit. Manor Adventure (tel: 01584 861333).

pounds 398

you can be among the first people to fly direct from London to Shanghai in China. The first-ever 11-hour, non-stop service between the two cities commences on 22 May, operated by Virgin Atlantic. There will be two flights a week in both directions. This price is available for bookings up to 30 June, for travel up to 12 July. You must stay a Saturday night. Virgin Atlantic (tel: 01293 747747).

pounds 518

you can spend a fortnight in Penang in Malaysia, offering easy access to both beaches and the exotic old Chinese city of Georgetown. This price includes return flights on Malaysian Airlines and 14 nights' room-only accommodation at the Bayview Resort, through May and June. Bridge the World (tel: 0171- 209 9494).

pounds 745

British Airways Holidays is offering seven nights' accommodation at the Treasure Island resort and return flights from Gatwick to Grand Cayman, during the time of the "Batabano"- the Cayman Islands' annual festival of the sea. The party begins on 1 May, and this price is for departures on 28 April. BA Holidays (tel: 0870 2424245).

pounds 1,980

per week, you and 29 mates can stay in Britain's largest self-catering property, Colehayes Park, part 16th century with 19th century additions, set in 20 acres of grounds on the eastern slopes of Dartmoor. The property is available during the summer holidays as well as at Christmas and the New Year. Helpful Holidays (tel: 01647 433593).