For As Little As ...

pounds 35

per person, you can stay at a three-star hotel at Gatwick airport on any Friday, Saturday or Sunday during July and August. This price includes 15 days' parking. Based on two sharing. Call Goldenrail on 0161 2385206.

pounds 59

per flight young people (under 26) can explore Europe by air, travelling on Lufthansa. This low price applies to all flights within their Zone One (Zone Two flights cost pounds 75) and is valid if you buy at least four flights at once. Call Campus Travel on 0171 7303402.

pounds 198

you can enjoy a three-night break in either Florence or Venice, staying in a three-star hotel, with flights from Gatwick. The strong pound makes Italian holidays cheaper than for years. Call Just Italy on 0181 7804466.

pounds 369

you can book a three-night break in Munich during the famous Oktoberfest, the largest beer-drinking binge on earth. The festival runs for 16 days from 20 September. Breaks based on two sharing include flights and accommodation. Contact Moswin's 0116 2719922.

pounds 374

plus pounds 10 tax return you can fly to Bangkok on Olympic Airways (stopping off in Athens if you wish). To reach the gateway to South-east Asia before 25 October call Trailfinders on 0171 9383939.

pounds 399

you can spend three days in the lap of luxury in Lisbon, in one of the city's most characterful old hotels, the 4-star York House, travelling with upmarket short-break specialists Kirker Travel. This price, based on two sharing, is valid for departures before July 15. Call 0171 231 3333.

pounds 515

per person, you can spend seven nights in Beijing, capital of China, at the four-star Holiday Inn Lido Hotel. Check out Tiananmen Square, the Forbidden City and the new masters of Hong Kong. Call Kuoni on 01306 740500.

pounds 599

you might be able to grab one of the last places on an all-inclusive 13-night trip to Santiago De Cuba, staying in a three-star hotel. This limited offer is valid between 23 July and 27 August. Call the Holiday Place on 0171 4310670.

pounds 664

per person, you can enjoy a five-night safari at Thorn Tree in Kenya. This offer, including flights and accommodation, is in the new Somak brochure covering the period beginning next December. Call Somak Holidays on 0181 4233000.

pounds 695

you can enjoy no fewer than three mighty operas (including Bizet's Carmen and Verdi's Aida) at the Verona Opera Festival at the end of July. This three-night break includes accommodation, flights and opera tickets. Price based on two sharing. Call JMB Travel 01905 425628.

pounds 1040

you can spend a week wintering in Poland next February, with wolves, wisent (bison) and wild boar. This environmental study course is one of dozens of such trips you can take next year through the Field Studies Council (FSC), an educational charity. A preview of the 1998 programme can be obtained by calling 01743 850522.