Europe

France: Six-day cycling tour around Normandy. Cycle about 20 miles each day with your luggage being transferred. Price (based on two sharing, self-drive), until August 19 is £554, including half-board, Channel crossing, bike and equipment, route guide and maps. Belle France 01797 223 777.

France: Seven days, starting August 5, at La Baule. Studios, 300m from beach, sleep up to five and cost £860 inclusive of sea-crossing. EuroVillages 01606 787776.

Greece: Seven nights in Paxos at the Eritha studio apartments in Lakka cost £349pp including flights from Gatwick, East Midlands or Manchester. Departures July 31 or August 7. Direct line holidays 020 8239 3399 (www.advantage4travel.com).

Ireland: Two nights in Clontarf Castle on the outskirts of Dublin. Price is £149pp based on four people sharing a car on the Holyhead-Dublin ferry. Irish Ferry Holidays 08705 171717.

Malta: Seven nights in the new Hilton Malta for £744pp including B&B accommodation and return scheduled flights from Gatwick, departing between August 4 and September 4. Cadogan Holidays (02380 828306)

Portugal: Villa for eight with pool near Quinta do Lago available August 12-28. Cost is £475pp per week (based on eight travelling) including flights from Gatwick. Owners Syndicate Villas 020-7801 9804.

Africa

Tunisia: Seven nights at the four-star Marhaba Beach Hotel in Sousses with tennis courts, indoor and outdoor pools plus watersports, departing up to August 31 for £550pp including flights. Wigmore Holidays 020-7836 4999.

Asia

Thailand and Laos: Twelve-night trip exploring the least-visited province of Isarn, the peaceful rural country of Laos, and a relaxing stay at the beach resort of Hua Hin. Cost until October is £1,490pp including flights. Asean Explorer 01481 823417.

Inner Mongolia: Fifteen-day escorted trip including Beijing, Xi'an, a camel ride into the desert and a journey on the Yellow River costs £1,655 including return flights from Heathrow, accommodation and some meals. The Imaginative Traveller 020-8742 8612.

Australia

Sydney: Book by August 15 and get a six-night Sydney Mardi Gras gay and lesbian festival package for next February for £979 pp, including flights. Qantas Holidays 020-8222 9104.

Middle East

Dubai : Five nights at the Metropolitan Beach hotel, B&B departing Gatwick August 2, £499pp. Thomas Cook Holidays 01733 418562.