FOR AS LITTLE AS...

pounds 70

visit Dublin for St Patrick's Day, on 17 March. Departing from Birmingham, this return flight is valid for students and those under 26. Accommodation can be arranged from pounds 8 per night. STA Travel (tel: 0171-361 6161).

pounds 195

departing the first week in May, you can take a two-week holiday in Greece. This deal, based on two sharing, applies to a variety of self-catering apartments on the islands of Crete, Kefalonia, Zakynthos, Rhodes, Kos, Kalymnos and Corfu, and includes return flights and transfers. Olympic- Odyssey Holidays (tel: 0181-343 9090).

pounds 299

take a shopping break in Washington, DC. This three-night break includes direct return flights from London and hotel accommodation close to the White House with shuttle-bus connections to the giant Potomac Mills factory- outlet mall. This per-person deal is valid until 25 March and is based on two travelling. Funway Holidays (tel: 0181-466 0222).

pounds 339

celebrate the long-awaited arrival of spring in Budapest on a four-night break. The Spring Festival takes place in the Hungarian capital between 12 and 28 March and features opera, concerts and ballet. This per-person deal is valid during festival time and includes four-night's b&b accommodation at a four-star hotel with return flights. Cresta Holidays (tel: 0161-927 7000).

pounds 424

per person, take an Easter break to Loutro in Crete. Greek Easter festivities on this remote island include a church ceremony and procession, followed by the burning of an effigy of Judas and a beach barbecue with whole-roast goat. Departing on 6 April, this two-week break includes return flights, transfers, hotel accommodation with breakfast. Based on two travelling. Sunvil Holidays (tel: 0181-568 4499).

pounds 495

take a trip to Kuala Lumpur and motor your way around Malaysia. This fly-drive package is priced per person, valid from 1 April, and includes return flights from London or Manchester, two-nights hotel accommodation, and eight-days group A car hire. Quantas Holidays (tel: 0990 673464).

pounds 589

per person, take a late, ski break to Vermont, where the season often lasts until late May. Vermont is the host of the US Snowboarding Championships in March and offers excellent facilities for boarders, along with a wide choice of winter sports for non-skiers. A seven-night breakincludes return flights, transfers and room-only accommodation in a four-star hotel. Ski Independence (tel: 0990 550555).

pounds 799

departing 20 March, take a nine-day Caribbean cruise. The Majesty of the Seas cruise takes in Haiti, Jamaica, Grand Cayman and Mexico, departing from Miami. This package is priced per person and includes return flights, transfers, all meals and entertainment, five-star hotel and cabin accommodation. The Cruise Line (tel: 01273 835252).

pounds 999

take a nine-day tour of Costa Rica and Nicaragua. This tour takes in the cloud forest of Monte Verde, Ometepe Island and Granada before moving on to explore Nicaragua. The price, per person, includes return flights, half-board lodge-style accommodation, transport and guides. The Travel Collection (tel: 01306 744315)

pounds 1,425.

see the solar eclipse in Iran. The five-day tour departs 8 August, for the eclipse on 11 August, and includes tours of Tehran, Isfahan and a Zoroastrian Fire Temple from where you will view the eclipse. The per- person deal includes return flights, full-board first-class accommodation and all guided tours. Ancient World (tel: 07071 222950).