· If you missed Matisse Picasso at Tate Modern catch it in Paris over half term. A family of four (with two children under12) can stay two nights midweek B&B in a quad room at the two-star Des Mines hotel with Eurostar travel for a total of £677. Thomson Cities (0870 606 1476).

· £410 is the price of a three-night half-term break for a family of four in a self-catering cottage at Wye Lea Country Manor (01989 562880) in Herefordshire between 19 October and 2 November. The numerous facilities include pool and tennis.

· Some self-catering cottages are still available in Brittany from French Life (08704 292188) for the weeks of 19 and 26 October. For example, St Martin, in Landevant near Auray, which sleeps six, costs £298. Prices include Dover-Calais ferry crossing for car and up to four passengers.

· A piece of cake trip to Madeira leaves Gatwick on 26 October for seven nights B&B at the four-star Dom Pedro Baia hotel in Machico. The price is £530 (£392 for under-11s) including transfers. Cadogan Holidays (02380 828313).

· Spend half-term on board the Festival Cruises (0870 126 3080) ship, Mistral, which sails from Genoa on 19 October. The itinerary takes in Marseilles, Valencia, Malta, Palermo and Civitavecchia, near Rome. Children get as much ice cream as they can eat and plenty to amuse. £682 a head for seven nights' full board (£338 for under-17s), with flights from Stansted and transfers.

· Norfolk Broads Direct (0800 917 3206) still has cabin cruisers available for half term from £295 (for four people) or £396 (for six).

· Seven nights in Lanzarote from 31 October. Depart Gatwick for Finca La Corona in the northeast corner of the island. The accommodation is self contained, car hire is included and the cost is £470 based on four sharing. Simply Wintersun (020 8541 2212).

· Byways (0151 722 8050) have four night cycle breaks meandering through the Cheshire countryside during October and November. The price, based on two sharing, is £190 which includes comfortable B&B accommodation in Inns, cycle hire and detailed maps. Your luggage is transfered by Byways so you can travel light.

· Several charming houses are available this autumn in Siena through Invitation to Tuscany (0121 429 5016). For example, La Conserva, a one-bedroomed stylish barn conversion which sleeps four is avaialble for £514 per week until the end of December. There's a regular bus service into Siena nearby while Arezzo, Assisi, Chianti and San Gimignano are within easy reach. Also Il Gelso, which sleeps two and is a 15 minute drive from Siena costs £257 (after 5 October). Travel is extra and car hire can be arranged.

· Hammamet in Tunisia is the perfect base to explore Tunis, Dougga, Sousse, Port El Kantaoui and Kairouan. Wigmore Holidays (020 7836 4999) has seven nights at the four star Aziza on departures up to 17 October for £559. Half board accommodation, flights from Heathrow and transfers included. 14 nights costs £749.

· Travelscene Ireland All Over (0151 231 1480) is offering short breaks to Kinsale during the Festival of Fine food departing 11 October for two nights at Perryville House, a stylish manor house. The cost is £323 for accommodation with breakfast and flights from Heathrow direct to Cork. Add £62 for direct flights from Glasgow, Edinburgh, Manchester or Birmingham.

· Cross the Pennines via the newly restored Rochdale Canal and 92 locks to see the impressive fells around Todmorden and Hebden Bridge. Seven nights narrowboat hotel cruising departing 12 October has been reduced by 15% to £435. This includes private cabin, all meals, wine with dinner and crewing. They can even collect you from the nearest railway station. Call H & H Narrowboat Hotels (020 7272 0033).