Great getaways: From fly-drives Down Under to a short break in Cornwall

The Great Ocean Road in Australia

Spring fling

Between 21 April and 16 May, there's a short-break in Cornwall for £300. Based at Hawke's Point, a collection of self-catering cottages near St Ives, it includes four nights for up to four people in a Sea Garden Apartment – each with a shared lawn and views of the coast. The only hitch is that you have to stay mid-week – from Monday to Friday – though you do get a Cornish cream tea with champagne on arrival (hawkes-point.co.uk).

Crete escape

Stay smart on a five-star holiday to Crete next month for £1,119pp. The deal, with Sovereign Luxury Travel, includes a seven-night stay at the Daios Cove Resort, on the island's north coast near Elounda, with half-board meals and private transfers, plus easyJet flights from Gatwick on 16 May. Book by 15 April (sovereign.com).

Como again

On 26 April, Voyages Jules Verne has a week on Lake Como for £825pp. Based on a B&B stay at the four-star Grand Hotel Menaggio, it includes BA flights from Heathrow and transfers, plus a late afternoon cruise on the lake and entrance to two shoreside beauties – Villa Carlotta and Villa del Balbianello (vjv.com).

Bucket list

If you've yet to plan that big trip Down Under, consider the 14-night Australian fly-drive offered by DialAFlight. For £1,859pp, it takes in the highlights of south-east coast, moving from Sydney to Adelaide via Melbourne, before linking up to the Great Ocean Road. As well as car hire and hotels, it includes Cathay Pacific flights from Heathrow via Hong Kong in September. Book by 30 April (dialaflight.com).