Europe

Britain: a whale-watching trip with a difference. This eight-day break enables guests to join a research vessel to study a resident population of minke whales, which return to the Hebridean Sea each summer to feed and raise their calves. The price is £498pp (based on two sharing) and includes seven nights' B&B, Oban-Mull ferry, four days' whale-watching and full-day land safari. Departure August 12 or September 9. Discover The World (01737 218800)

France: Provençal farmhouse, sleeps eight, on the outskirts of Courthezon, close to Avignon. Departs August 5. Price is £1,875 including ferry or Eurotunnel. Vacances in Campagne (0870 0771771).

A 12-night holiday on a permanent camp-site on the Côte D'Azur with supervised games for children. Between August 12-17 cost for a family - up to six - is £914, inc car ferry. Canvas Holidays (0870 9022022)

Spain: a three-night break in Seville at the three-star Hotel America & Derby costs £282pp in August (must travel Friday - Sunday and stay Sunday night). Travelscene (0870 7774445).

Turkey: two weeks' holiday staying at the Alinda Hotel, Dalyan, B&B, departing August 4 from Gatwick or Manchester, Price is £399pp. Jewel in the Crown Holidays (01293 533338).

Cephalonia: two weeks, departing August 27, staying in self-catering apartments with pools in quiet villages. Price is £299pp. Details Direct Line Holidays (020-8239 3399)

Middle East

Egypt: a 14-day Nile and Beyond tour taking in all the must-see sights of Egypt. Departing August 31, September 21 and later dates, the cost is £710pp. Guerba (0870 0549199).

South America

Angel Falls and Orinoco: Explore Worldwide offers a 15-day non-trekking adventure in the more remote regions of Venezuela. First, the group explores the maze of channels and creeks that form the Orinoco Delta, before travelling by river on a four-day boat-trip to skirt the table-top mountain of Auyan-Tepui and marvel at the world's highest waterfall - the Salto Angel (Angel Falls). In addition, there is an opportunity to relax on the idyllic Caribbean beaches of Chichirivichi. Availability on September 2 departure for £1,550pp. Explore Worldwide (01252 760100).

Cruise

Mediterranean: a 14-night trip on P&O's Victoria, including visits to Mykonos, Bodrum, Heraklion, Corfu, Dubrovnik, Venice, Rome, Villefranche and Barcelona. Prices from £2,075 with flights departing Manchester or Gatwick on August 11. P&O Cruises (020-7800 2222).