Blakes Boating Holidays (01603 739400) reports a good choice of craft still going begging on rivers and canals in Britain, Ireland, France and Holland.

Canvas Holidays (08709 022022, www.canvas.co.uk) has £100-£200 off peak- season holiday on sites in the Dordogne, south west France and the Jura. A 12-night mobile-home holiday at Biarritz - arriving on site between August 25 and 28 now costs £729, down £180.

English Country Cottages (0870 5851155) reports a good selection still available, notably in the Lake District, the Welsh Borders, Herefordshire and Staffordshire. And Country Holidays (08700 778800) should also be able to find some small corner of rural tranquillity.

Family specialist Esprit Holidays (01252 618300) says sales are up, but because this year's programme has been considerably expanded, there are still plenty of holidays available. It is offering two weeks for the price of one in the Swiss resort of Verbier. There are two departure dates - August 20 and 27 - and the adult price is £350 or £400 respectively. Children 2-17 go half price, babies £60. The price includes breakfast, most evening meals, wine and baby-sitting on three nights.

Cresta Holidays France (0870 1610910) can still offer packages including a week's self-catering at Port du Crouesty in southern Brittany, departing July 29 or August 12, from £163 for each of five sharing a studio.

Leisure Direction (020-8324 3030, www.leisuredirection.co.uk) has peak season, self-catering holidays available to France, such as a week for up to five people in a studio at Port Bourgenay in the southern Vendée or Port du Crouesty from £68, or a fortnight at the Alpine resort of Les Arcs from £64 per person sharing a four-bed studio.

Olympic Holidays (020-8343 9090) has knocked £50 off all peak-season hotel holidays in Crete and £30 off August packages to Kos. A one-week half-board holiday in the four-star Anthoussa Beach Hotel in Stalis in mid August now costs £429 per person (previously £479). Two weeks cost £639.

And for those prepared to take the family long haul, Kuoni (01306 747000, www.kuoni.co.uk) is offering free holidays for children in some Caribbean destinations. One week, all inclusive, at the Club St Lucia in St Lucia, costs £1,159 for departures between July 15 and August 15, with up to two children under 12 going free.

• Self-catering/camping holiday prices include flight or ferry crossings unless otherwise stated.