DEALS OF THE WEEK: POST-MILLENNIUM WINTER SUN

If you've decided to stay at home over the millennium with a mug of cocoa, why not take advantage of the drop in prices in the New Year to indulge your travel fantasies? The sun will still be shining, even in 2000.

Florida

Travel City Direct (tel: 01792 543467) is giving new meaning to the January sales. On 2 January, it is offering a 14-day fly-drive to the Sunshine State for pounds 99 per person, based on four sharing, including flights and car hire. For pounds 199 per person, based on four sharing, you can add room- only accommodation at a three-star hotel in Orlando.

Jamaica

January is peak season in the Caribbean, but prices will fall after the millennium. British Airways Holidays (tel: 0870 2424 245) offers seven nights at the SuperClubs Grand Lido Negril, an all-inclusive resort, from 6-13 January for pounds 1,639 per person, based on two sharing, including return flights.

Penang, Malaysia

From 6 January 2000, the Penang Park Royal Hotel offers four free nights on a 14-night stay. The price is pounds 717 per person, based on two sharing, including return flights from Heathrow or Manchester via Kuala Lumpur, transfers and room-only accommodation. Call Magic of the Orient (tel: 01293 537700).

Kenya

The Kenyan coast, washed by the Indian Ocean, is a good bet for winter sun. Somak Holidays (tel: 020 8423 3000) has a special offer on two weeks in Mombasa from 2-30 January. The price is pounds 399 per person, based on two sharing, including return flights and half-board at the Plaza Beach Hotel.

Australia

Catch the summer down under in January. Austravel (tel: 0171-734 7755) is offering return flights to Sydney from Gatwick from pounds 549 for a two to six-week stay, including taxes. Accommodation is available from pounds 23 a night.

Canary Islands

First Choice (tel: 0870 750 0001) is offering 15 per cent off the winter 1999 brochure prices for holidays in Fuerteventura. For example, 14 nights half-board in the Barcelo El Castillo apartments from 5 January costs pounds 405.50 per person, based on two sharing, including return flights and insurance.

Jordan

A bit of culture with your sun? Bales Worldwide (tel: 01306 732738) suggests the seven-day "Jordan Explorer" departing 16 January from Amman and taking in Madaba and the crusader castle of Kerak. The price is pounds 599 per person, based on two sharing, including return flights, transfers, b&b and sightseeing.

Las Vegas

Archers Direct (tel: 0870 751 2000) offers a trip to "sin city", departing 7 January from Gatwick for three to five nights from pounds 399. The price includes return flights, transfers and room-only accommodation in the Imperial Palace Hotel, which has a casino and spa.

LUCY GILLMORE