FOR AS LITTLE AS

pounds 1.60

per adult, you can take in some history by visiting the medieval Chateau de Falaise in Normandy, birthplace of William the Conqueror. The castle, initially built for defence purposes but then a family home, has just re-opened to the public following extensive renovation.

pounds 10

buy a ticket for the first ever "Days of Music" Jazz Festival in Cyprus, on 4-7 July. It's the dream of the late musician and thinker Nicholas Economou, who held the view that the island's best defence against military and cultural threats was to establish a common culture and channel of communication. Call the Cyprus Tourist Office on 0171 734 9822.

pounds 89

per person, head to the Costa Brava for a week. If you're looking for a cheap, no-frills holiday in two or three star accommodation in a well- known resort then this could be for you. The holiday is from First Choice who have a number of similar holidays in their new range, Sunstart. Brochures available in travel agents.

pounds 143

per person you can shop until you run out of francs in the Paris summer sales. Price includes return travel by Eurostar and three nights accommodation for the price of two. Those still terrified of the Chunnel will be relieved to hear that flights start from pounds 178. Tel: Paris Travel Service on 01992 456040.

pounds 275

you can fly from Gatwick to Prestwick and watch a day's play at the 126th Open Golf Championship at Royal Troon from 17 July. Cost includes travel , entry and a special souvenir pack. Tel: BAC Sport on 0171 456 7100.

pounds 449

go to the Maldives for a week. This is just one of the last-minute deals on offer from Kuoni; and, if things stay the way they are, you're going have to go abroad if you want any kind of decent weather at the moment. Tel: 01306 744173.

pounds 699

plus flight, you can take part in the 1998 Pilgrimage and Historical Journey to Sinai. The journey, in April, follows the route of the Exodus to Mt Sinai and St Catherine's Monastery, finishing with a couple of days camel trekking with the Bedouin. Guest lecturer will be the Rev John Moses, Dean of St Paul's Cathedral. Call Wind, Sand and Stars on 0171 433 3684.

pounds 877

you can pretend you're the next Tim Henman by spending a week at the Boca Raton Resort & Club in Florida. The training ground for some of the top players, such as Steffi Graf, it has a new $12m tennis and fitness complex. Personal tennis coaching is about pounds 40 an hour. Call BA Holidays on 01293 723111

pounds 1,985

you can take part in Tony Blair's drive to preserve the environment. The remote North West Frontier of Pakistan is home to some of the most ancient Central Asian civilisations and rare Himalayan wildlife. Call Discovery initiatives on 0171 229 9881.

pounds 2,835

per person (pounds 3,129 between 20 July and 15 August), you can go on a two- week Caribbean dream holiday. The first week is spent in the Coconut Creek hotel in Barbados, followed by a week aboard the elegant 55ft Dabulamanzi yacht. Holidays don't get much more extravagant. Contact Crystal Worldwide on 0181 241 5161.