Travel: For as little as...

pounds 39

take the train to Lille. This weekday return fare is valid up to 27 August. There are also return fares to Paris, Brussels and Disneyland Paris for pounds 49. Eurostar (tel: 0990 186186)

pounds 179

take a late-summer holiday and spend 14 nights at Parga on the Greek mainland, departing 29 September. This per-person price includes self- catering accommodation at the Nikos Studios (sleeps two), return flights from Gatwick and transfers. There are also similar deals to Skiathos for pounds 199. Lincoln Travel (tel: 0870 8456135)

pounds 270

learn to sail in Croatia. This one-week course, suitable for all levels, is based on the Adriatic Island of Murter, mid-way along the Dalmatian coast. Tuition follows the MCA (Mediterranean Cruising Association) syllabus, and after a week's training keen novices should qualify for their Competent Crew member certificates. The price includes a week's sailing with tuition, accommodation on board the boat with light refreshments provided. (Including return flights the price is pounds 495 per person.) The course takes place during September and October. Sunvil Activity Holidays (tel: 0181-898 2830)

pounds 369

take a four-night break in Budapest. This deal is valid for bookings made by 15 August for departures until 31 August and includes accommodation at the K&K Hotel Opera with breakfast and return flights. Thomas Cook Holidays (tel: 01733 418200)

pounds 429

spend the millennium in Ibiza. This party package includes return flights, transfers, four nights' b&b accommodation and guaranteed tickets for Es Paradis Millennium (payable locally). ATAB (tel: 0171-636 5000)

pounds 655

take a 15-day tour in the footsteps of The Phantom Menace. This Ancient Carthage & Camel Safari tour takes you off the beaten track to the lesser- known parts of Tunisia and features a three-day camel safari in the northern Sahara, a drive through the salt flats of Chott el Jerid, an overnight stay in a troglodyte village plus the ancient ruins and great mosques of Carthage, Kairouan and Sfax. This price, per person, includes flights, transport, accommodation with some meals and guides. Departures are from September to April. Explore Worldwide (tel: 01252 760100)

pounds 959

take a last-minute break to Florida to participate in Reef Awareness week. Activities include yoga, a film festival, moonlight sails, sand sculpture, art exhibitions, a diver photography competition and accompanied snorkel trips. This price includes luxury apartment accommodation in Key West for seven nights, return flights and car hire. Florida Vacations (tel: 01727 841568)

pounds 1,175

smear yourself in four-month-old mud. Fangotherapy treatment in the spa town of Abano-Terme in northern Italy uses mature mud to detox and relax. Taken from two lakes in the Euganei Hills, the mud is valuable for the rare type of algae it contains. The per-person price includes seven-nights' full-board accommodation at the four-star Grand Hotel, return flights, transfers, consultation with a doctor and five treatments. Thermalia (tel: 0171-586 7725)