Europe
Portugal: A weekend at the Lapa Palace hotel in Lisbon from November 1 to February 1 2001 (exclu Christmas and new Year) costs £510 per couple, excluding flights. Either stay four nights for the price of three, or three plus dinner at the hotel's Ristorante Hotel Cipriani. Orient Express Hotels 0800 181 123.
France: Seven-nights skiing package for £345 in Morzine Village includes return flights from London to Geneva plus transfers, breakfast and three-course evening meals. Offer valid from December 16- April 14. Travel Deals 020-7371 1113.
Italy: Pamper yourself with seven nights at the five-star Hotel President in Abano Terme, one hour's drive from Venice. The price of £1,032 per person valid in November includes return flights, transfers, B&B, ozone bath and massage, and fangotherapy. Thermalia Travel (020-7483 1898).
North America
Florida/Nevada: Two-centre holiday consisting on five nights' room-only accommodation in both Orlando and Las Vegas from £449 per person, based on twin sharing, and including return flights from Heathrow on United Airlines. Valid for selected departures between November and March 2001. Peregor Travel 01895 630871.
Canada: Wake up on Christmas morning or New Year's Day in the Canadian Rockies on a 12-day winter break with Great Rail Journeys travelling from Toronto to Vancouver (01904 521940). The package, departing either December 20 or 27 for £1,650 per person, includes return flights from Heathrow plus excursions in and around Toronto, Vancouver and Niagara Falls.
New York: Christmas shopping in the Big Apple with four-night packages in November/ early December from £579 per person including return flights with British Airways or American Airlines from Heathrow, Gatwick or Manchester to New York, and three-star hotel. Contact Major Travel 020-393 1069.
Asia
Sri Lanka: Relax in a lakeside community in Ulpotha from December 24 to January 7. Yoga sessions are optional, along with herbal steam baths and native Ayurvedic oil treatments. Price £1,450 full board exclu flights. Neals Yard Agency (0870 444 2702).
Africa
South Africa: Earthwatch, the international science and conservation charity, is offering two-week projects treating oil-soaked penguins and tagging sea birds on Robben Island throughout the first half of 2001, priced at £1,265. Accommodation and food included in the price but flights are extra. Earthwatch (01865 318 831)
