FOR AS LITTLE AS

pounds 0

you can take a free ski or snowboard lesson. As part of National Snowsports Week, free ski or snowboarding lessons are being offered to encourage more people of all ages to get into snowsports. Lessons are available at clubs nationwide until 1 November. Snowlife (tel: 0171-580 1611).

pounds 1.95

children can be scared out of their wits this half-term at Newhaven Fort's house of horrors. A gruesome Halloween adventure trail will be set in the labyrinth - a maze of dark tunnels and chambers beneath the fort. A torch is recommended and gruesome fancy dress is essential. The trail runs from 24 October to 1 November. Adult tickets cost pounds 3.60. Newhaven Fort (tel: 01273 517622).

pounds 135

you can take a short break to Florence, in Italy. This deal is valid from 1 November and includes one night's three-star b&b hotel accommodation with return flights. The same deal to Venice and Rome is available from pounds 141 and pounds 195 respectively. Prices are based on two sharing. Citalia (tel: 0181-686 5533).

pounds 229

you can round up a 200-strong herd of elephants. The Surin elephant round- up in Thailand takes place between 10-15 November. Surin is about 200 miles north-east of Bangkok and this return flight to Bangkok is available for students up to 32 years of age and under-26s and is valid if booked before 31 October. Campus Travel (tel: 0171 730 8111).

pounds 439

you can relax at the hot springs in the Italian spa town of Abano Terme. The mud and thermal springs in Abano are renowned for their curative properties and this three-night break in November (based on two sharing) includes flights, transfers, full-board accommodation and access to the thermal facilities. Treatments are paid for a la carte. Thermalia Travel (tel: 0171-483 1898).

pounds 599

you can travel to the home of New England's infamous witch trials. The city of Salem was the site of America's 1692 trials and over Halloween there are various haunted happenings, culminating in a Hallowe'en Ball on 31 October. This deal includes four sleepless nights in b&b accommodation in the heart of the city's historic district, return flights to Boston and car hire with unlimited mileage. Osprey Holidays (tel: 0990 605605).

pounds 849

you can travel to Kerala, the home of Ayurvedic medicine in India. This age-old Indian health treatment is said to put your body back in balance and restore physical and psychological health. The Taj Garden Retreat has its own Ayurvedic health centre set in gardens by the sea and this deal (from 8 November) includes 14 nights' half-board accommodation, and return flights. Somak Holidays (tel: 0181-423 3000).

pounds 999

you can watch some classic rugby in Bermuda. The island's 11th World Rugby Classic takes place between 8 and 14 November and brings together the international stars of yesteryear, such as Gavin Hastings, JPR Williams, and Philippe Sella. Sport Abroad is offering a seven-night package to the event which includes return flights, room-only accommodation and match tickets. Sport Abroad (tel: 01306 744345).

pounds 55,000

you can join an expedition to the South Pole to welcome in the millennium. Surely a contender for the most expensive holiday in the world, this 60-day tour to the South Pole is an immensely challenging expedition which has up until now only been completed by renowned polar explorers. Participants will be the first client-guided group to walk all the way from the Antarctic coast to the South Pole. This deal includes all travel from Chile (not return flights from UK), all equipment, guides, polar training, air charter costs, accommodation and food. The Polar Travel Company (tel: 01364 631470).