There are some advantages to planning so far ahead - such as this long winter weekend in Miami Beach from ebookers (0870 8146024, ebookers.com/deals). You can sort out your pre-Christmas suntan now by booking a five-night break between November 1 and December 15 in a three-star Miami Beach hotel for just £435pp, including return flights. At that price you can afford to splash out come cocktail hour in the bar at the Delano or the Raleigh.