Under £20

Go to Prague in November and December and stay at the three star Fortuna Hotel Rhea for £11pp per night with breakfast if you book with Superbreaks (01904 644455; superbreak.com). Price based on two people sharing. Flights extra.

Under £300

Every Friday from 26 November, Shortbreaks (0870 027 6044; short-breaks.com) offers a three nights for the price of two package to Lille. Travelling on Eurostar you will stay at the four-star L'Hermitage Gantois half board for the price of £214pp.

Two nights in ye olde London town at the Sherlock Holmes Hotel (020 7958 5222; sherlockholmeshotel.com), with breakfast, is available for £294.

Under £400

A three night break between 1-15 December at the Dar Les Cigognes hotel in Marrakech costs £395pp including flights and a lesson in cous-cous making. Book with Kuoni (01306 743000; tapestryholidays.com).

Under £700

The four star Jardins d'Ajuda Suite hotel in Madeira has 14 nights from £635 plus a third week free if you book before 23 December. Return flights are from Heathrow or Gatwick, with Mercury Direct (0870 027 7884; mercurydirect.com).