Europe

UK: Learn about garden design with landscaper Julian Dowle during a three-night Gourmet Garden course on January 22-25 and Feb 5-8 at the award-winning Combe House Hotel, Gittisham, Devon (01404 540400, www. thishotel.com). The price of £495pp includes full-board accommodation, wine with dinner, entertainment, garden-admittance fees and tuition.

France: Save £40 on a three-night break at the three-star Arcadie Montparnasse Hotel, Paris, from January 12 or 19. The new price of £193pp (based on two sharing), includes B&B accommodation, and return travel with Eurostar from Waterloo or Ashford. Travelscene (0870 7774445).

France: Eurotours (0870 3330889) is offering two-night midweek breaks to Paris in January for £97pp (weekend £99pp) including return Eurostar travel from London Waterloo and B&B accommodation at the three-star Jardin de Villiers, near rue Lévis.

Italy: Until February 15, a two-night break in Venice costs £229pp (based on two sharing) including return scheduled Alitalia flights from London, transfers and B&B accommodation at the Canal & Walter hotel. Magic of Italy (08700 270500).

Africa

Egypt: Cruise the Nile from £399pp departing January 22 and 29 on the Princess Eman. The price includes return flights from Gatwick, full board and the services of a qualified Egyptologist. From Discover Egypt (020-7407 2111)

Caribbean

Virgin Islands: The British Virgin Islands Club (020-8232 9781) has availability throughout January at The Bitter End Yacht Club on the island of Virgin Gorda from £2,257pp including return scheduled flights, domestic flights, transfers, seven nights' full-board accommodation, use of sailing equipment and all watersports.

Cruise: The cost of a seven-day cruise departing January 12 or 19 has been cut from £1,155 to £599. The price includes flights to Guadeloupe and full-board accommodation on the four-star Mistral visiting St Maarten, Trinidad, Barbados, Grenada, St Lucia and Mayreau. Festival Cruises (020-7734 0005).

Asia

India: Fly out on January 14 for two weeks' B&B at the Sandy Beach in Kovala, Kerala, from £369. From Goa Way (020-7224 7070).

Mauritius: Save £100 on seven nights at Paradise Cove, Cap Malheureux with Expressions Holidays (020-7794 1480). The new price of £1,745 includes half-board accommodation, return scheduled flights with British Airways and private transfers.