Asia

Seychelles: Spend a week at the Allamanda Hotel between January 21 and March 31 from £975 per person if booked before December 8. Price includes B&B accommodation, airport transfers and return British Airways flights. Okavango (0208 3433283)

America

Vail: Fly on December 9 for a week of skiing from £569pp (based on two sharing). Price includes flights, transfers and catered accommodation. Ski Independence (0870 5550555, www.ski-independence.co.uk )

Middle East

Eilat: Enjoy the winter sun for a week from £360pp (based on two sharing). Or upgrade to half board free for travel to the Moon Valley Hotel on December 11. The price includes flights from Heathrow, transfers, and seven nights' B&B accommodation. Superstar Holidays (020-7957 4300).

Europe

Munich: Get into the festive spirit at the Christmas fair. Fly before December 18 for £53. Trailfinders (020-7937 1234).

France: Spend Christmas skiing the Three Valleys from £9pp per night for a self-catering studio for four people and including ferry crossing by car. Ski Life (0113 2050247).

France: Treat the kids to a break at Center Parcs in Normandy. For arrivals between December 4- 18, the price is £324 for four nights mid-week or £392 for a three-night weekend break. European Life (08702 424455).

Madeira: Fly to Funchal on Christmas Eve for 10 nights' B&B at the five-star Madeira Palacio for £799. Price, based on two sharing, includes flights and transfers. Cadogan Holidays (023-8082 8303).

Geneva: Fly from Manchester on December 17 and stay at one of six resorts in the Alps. Adult prices start from £430 per person including return flights, airport tax and transfers, accommodation with most meals. Ski Esprit (01252 618300, www. ski-esprit.co.uk).

Canary Islands: Fly to Fuerteventura on December 6 from Gatwick for a week's self-catering for £119pp, or Tenerife on December 8 from Gatwick for £129pp. Price includes flights and airport taxes. First Choice (0870 7500001).

Barcelona: Book before December 10 or between January1 - March 31 for a two-night stay at the three-star Hotel Inglaterra for £164pp. Price includes flights and B&B. Lupus Travel (0800 0180043).

Africa

Uganda: Places are available on 10-day safaris in December and January to view the mountain gorillas in Bwindi National Park. Prices from £1,350 pp including flights, accommodation some meals, transport, and guides. Explore Worldwide (01252 760100).