Get me out of here: Edinburgh, Saint Lucia, South Africa

Now... Edinburgh by train gets one-third cheaper when you book East Coast advance fares through the capital's official website, Winterinedinburgh.com before 2 Nov. It covers travel from London King's Cross (from £23 return), York and Newcastle from 12 Nov to 20 Dec and again from 3-11 Jan.

Soon... Jet off to the Caribbean for some winter sun. Departing on 1 December, Thomas Cook has a week in Saint Lucia for £1,099pp at the Morgan Bay resort on Choc Beach near Castries, with all-inclusive board and Virgin Atlantic flights from Gatwick. Thomas cooksignature.com

Later... Looking ahead to 2013? Travelbag has a week in South Africa with four nights in Cape Town (Park Inn Foreshore) and three in Stellenbosch (River Manor Hotel) for £799pp, with breakfast, four days' car hire and Qatar flights from Heathrow in May. Book by 1 Nov. Travelbag.co.uk