Dive, dive, dive
Free diving lessons are the highlight of an expanded worldwide scuba-diving brochure from Hayes & Jarvis (0870 90 37 737). The learn-to-dive package, worth up to £300, is for instruction to achieve PADI openwater qualification at selected Sandals and Beaches resorts in the Caribbean. A seven-night holiday at Sandals Montego Bay costs from £1,165 including flights from Heathrow, transfers and all-inclusive accommodation. The brochure features diving destinations from the Red Sea to the Indian Ocean and the Pacific.
Cream of Devon
Three West Country hotels are offering a six-night tour that combines Dartmoor, Dartmouth and the heart of Exeter from £355. Two nights at Holne Chase, in 70 acres of parkland on the River Dart, costs from £145, two nights at St Olaves, a listed Exeter mansion with walled gardens, starts at £120 while two nights at the Little Admiral in the centre of Dartmouth costs from £90. Details of the B&B breaks from 01364 631471.
Australia beckons
This is the time when young travellers escape the European winter to savour an Australian summer. STA Travel is running a Get Down Australian promotion until the end of November with special fares for students or those under-26 and offers on adventures and accommodation. The fares begin at £639, including free stop-overs, for Qantas flights from London or Manchester to Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane. There are free talks about travelling in Australia at 20 universities across the UK and there is a free Down Under guide with Jamie Oliver's Aussie recipes. Details from university and High Street branches or phone 020 7361 6262.
Green adventures
Enterprising over-50s looking for a fresh challenge can apply for one of 400 Millennium Awards offered by Earthwatch, the environmental charity. The Millennium Commission has given Earthwatch a £1.3 million grant to sponsor 400 two-week placements as field assistants on international research projects. There are 20 projects ranging from monitoring langur monkeys in southern China to wolf tracking in India. No specialist expertise is required, only a commitment to invest the new knowledge in projects at home. The awards will cover flights, visas, inoculations, food and accommodation. Phone 01865 318850 or you can write to 57 Woodstock Road, Oxford OX2 6HJ for an application form.
Musical interlude
The Astoria claims to be the most musical hotel in Brussels with a piano bar, jazz in the Pullman Bar and classical recitals on Sunday mornings. ShortBreaks (020 8402 0007) offers a two-night weekend at the Belle Epoque hotel close to the Grand-Place for £149 per person room-only including return Eurostar travel from Waterloo or Ashford.
