Under £200

VFB (01242 240310) has two nights' B&B at the three-star Hotel Adornes in Bruges up to 20 December at £169 for the perfect short break. Eurostar to Brussels, onward train and travel insurance included. Or self-drive for £151 with Channel crossings.

Under £300

Opera buffs head for Vienna and the State Opera. Eurobreak (020 8780 7700) has weekend breaks staying three nights B&B at the three star Tabor City Hotel. Priced from £276 including BA flights from Heathrow (£356 from Birmingham) until end October.

Stylishly converted 200 year old Pound Cottage at Simonsbath in Devon is available 12-19 October. The cost is £195 (up to three sharing) and £210 (four to six sharing). Perfect for walking on Exmoor. For this and other options call Toad Hall Cottages (08700 777345).

Lakeside Geneva for £299 in September with Travellers Cities (01959 540700). Three nights B&B at the central three-star Hotel Eden with flights from Heathrow, Gatwick, Birmingham, Luton, Liverpool or Manchester.

Under £400

Some September weeks available in Tuscan tower apartments near Siena through Invitation to Tuscany (0121 429 5016). Bags of character superbly restored for £304 (sleeps 3) or £350 (sleeps four) or £467 (sleeps five). Prices exclude travel.

Under £500

Learn Raqs Sharqi, a traditional Egyptian dance form, performed by women for women, in the spectacular Spanish town of Vejer in Andalucia. Depart 21 September. £459 covers seven nights basic hotel B&B accommodation, 10 hours of dance tuition for all levels, flights from Stansted to Jerez and transfers. Call Dance Holidays (01293 527722). Women only.

Depart Gatwick 17 or 24 September for Crete and the Elounda self-catering villas in the Gulf of Mirabello: £499 for14 nights including flights and transfers. Simply Crete (020 8541 2201).

Under £600

Specialist gay and lesbian tour operator Alternative Holidays (020 8795 6567) has seven nights in Capo Rizzuto, Calabria, Southern Italy. The cost is £599 for the week 21-28 September which includes full board, complementary drinks, entertainment programme, sports activities, flights from Heathrow to Lamezia and transfers.

Under £700

Depart 22 and 29 September for a walking holiday in the Dolomites with Headwater (01606 720099) based in a village just above Trento. £698 (22nd) and £627 (29th) pays for flights from Gatwick to Verona and seven nights full board accommodation. The hospitality is legendary, the views breathtaking.

Under £800

Tropics for £785 during October and November. Two nights in Kuala Lumpur and eight in Borneo at five-star hotels, flying with Malaysia Airlines from Heathrow or Manchester. Book by 15 September. Travelmood (08700 664556).

Over £1,000

September is one of the best months for whale watching off the South African coast. Seven nights B&B at the Cape Grace Hotel on Cape Town's waterfront with African Odyssey (01242 224482) is £1350 throughout the month including scheduled flights from Heathrow and transfers.

· Prices per head unless indicated.