Departures: Cheaper Italy

SCHEDULED air fares to Italy are generally expensive compared with other European destinations, which means that charters can be particularly worthwhile. The winter programme from Italy Skybus (071-373 6055) offers considerable flexibility such as one-way fares and open-dated return tickets. Gatwick-Rome costs pounds 159 in low season; Manchester-Verona is pounds 194 in the peak season, just before Christmas.