TRAVEL: FOR AS LITTLE AS...

pounds 49

fly return to Derry. Ryanair launches its new route from London Stansted to Northern Ireland. This fare includes tax and is valid for midweek travel. If you want to travel at the weekend the price rises to pounds 69 return. Ryanair (tel: 0541 569569).

pounds 99

spend seven nights on the Greek island of Mykonos. This deal, per person, is for self catering accommodation with a swimming pool in the San Stephano resort and also includes return flights from Gatwick. Hotel accommodation with breakfast is available from pounds 129 per person. Argo Holidays (tel: 0171-331 7070).

pounds 179

take an overnight trip to the land of the midnight sun. Fly to Tromso (200 miles north of the arctic circle), in northern Norway where between 21 May and 23 July the sun never sets. This return flight travels out and back the same night, departing at 9.55pm and returning at 6.25am. On arrival in Tromso, guests will be met by a guide and taken by coach to the cable car which ascends 1,260ft (378 metres) to the top of Mount Storsteinen. An "arctic drink" will be served under the midnight sun and guests will be presented with a "polar certificate". Scandinavian Travel Service (tel: 0171-559 6666).

pounds 229

spend seven nights in Sri Lanka. This deal, per person, departs on 17, 24 and 31 May and includes return scheduled flights, transfers and accommodation with breakfast at the Tropical Villas Hotel. This deal is based on two sharing. Tradewinds (tel: 0870-751 0004).

pounds 329

take a long weekend in Jordan. This four-night break to the beach resort of Aqaba departs 28 May for the Bank Holiday weekend and is based on two travelling. The deal includes three-star hotel accommodation with breakfast, return flights and transfers. For those who prefer to stay in Amman the price is pounds 379. Aquatours (tel: 0181-398 0505).

pounds 445

walk the hills of Portugal's northern Costa Verde. This seven-night holiday is based in Ponte de Lima, a small market town north of Oporto, and the gentle walks take in the hilltop shrines and old chapels overlooking the Lima Valley. The per-person price is based on two travelling, and includes return flights, half-board hotel accommodation and guided walking tours. Waymark Holidays (tel: 01753 516477).

pounds 679

eat Italy and then walk it off. This eight-day tour takes place among the wooded hills of the Alto Mugello. Guests will be taken out every morning to pick local produce before spending the afternoons in the kitchen learning about the gastronomic traditions of Tuscany and Emilia-Romagna, along with tasting the different dishes. The per-person price includes return flights, half-board guest-house accommodation, route plan and maps. Headwater (tel: 01606 813367).

pounds 799

departing 5 June, spend nine days on a classic tour of northern India. The trip spends two days in Delhi before moving on to the Taj Mahal, the bird sanctuary in Fatehpur Sikri and winding up in the pink city of Jaipur. The per-person price includes return flights, transfers, half- board accommodation, sightseeing tours and guide. Bales Worldwide (tel: 01306 876881).

pounds 1,490

take a 35-day journey through Central Asia. This tour, departing 19 July, passes through Tadjikistan, Uzbekistan, Kazakstan, Kyrgstan and China. Group members need to be fit and the price includes all land transport, accommodation guides and equipment. Flights can be arranged at an extra cost of pounds 600. Encounter (tel: 0171-370 6845).