British Isles

If you have ever wondered what it is like to live in Poundbury, the Dorset new town designed to the Prince of Wales's specifications, here is your chance. Frith House, on three floors and with a small garden in the centre of the development, is on offer for a week from Friday with Classic Cottages. It sleeps six, costs £423, is a short walk from the town's shops and pub, a mile from Dorchester and well-placed for Hardy country and the Jurassic Coast. 01326 555555

The North York Moors is England's least-explored national park but just as stunning as its rivals. Explore it on a week's holiday from June 27 at Plum Tree Cottage near Kirkbymoorside, which sleeps two and costs £288 with Yorkshire Cottages. The moors steam railway starts from Pickering, a few miles away, and Castle Howard is also within reach. 01228 406701

Cornwall needs no promotion but is best enjoyed before the summer peak. Cornish Traditional Cottages has discounts on several properties for the next month, including Neid Cottage at Garras on the Lizard Peninsula. The spacious house sleeps six, has a garden and is avalable from Saturday and the three following weeks from £450 a week. 01208 821666

Let someone else prepare the food on a country house weekend from Friday at Lake Vyrnwy Hotel, in a rural setting with mountain views in the heart of Mid Wales. Two nights' half-board and a picnic with smoked salmon, strawberries and a bottle of grand cru champagne cost from £185. 01691 870692

Arrive at Yapham Cottages near Hartland on the North Devon coast next month and a freshly-prepared meal will be in the fridge, ready to be heated up. A week in a well-equipped one-bedroom cottage in this Area of Oustanding Natural Beauty costs from £410. 01237 441916

Enjoy the blarney in Killarney on a break at the Loretto Chapel Holiday Homes, near the “capital” of the west of Ireland. Until mid-July a week's self-catering costs £164 with Irish Ferries Holidays, based on four travelling and including a sea crossing with car from Holyhead or Pembroke. 0870 5171717

Two summer camp holidays for the price of one - £459 - are on offer with Camp Beaumont but must be booked before Monday. The deal applies from July 19 to August 23 at a centre for 7 to 11-year-olds on the edge of the Peak District and one for 7 to 15-year-olds in near Hexham, Northumberland and includes full board for a week and a choice of up to 60 activities. 01603 660333

Short haul

Three-night breaks in northern France in châteaux, each with tennis courts should Wimbledon fever strike you, are on offer this month and next with seafranceholidays.com. Prices range from £185 with B&B at Château de la Motte Fenelon, Cambrai and Château Tilques near St Omer to £320 at a 400-year-old castle near Reims, Dover to Calais ferry crossings included. 0871 6632557

Stylish villas in Turkey and Crete are on offer at almost half price next week with James Villa Holidays. Gulay Evi with balconies and a pool at Kaya, sleeps eight in two self-contained sections and costs £399 for a week from Monday; Stella II, amid olive groves and citrus trees, a ten-minute drive from Rethymnon, sleeps six and costs £415 from Tuesday. The company can book flights from Gatwick, making the price per person from £280. 0800 0740177

A week's half-board at Puerto de la Cruz on the more civilised northern coast of Tenerife is available from £355 with Thomas Cook. Fly from Gatwick on July 1 and stay at a choice of three-star hotels. 0870 7505711

The Irini Apartments at Sivota on the Ionian Island of Lefkada enjoy views to the hills, harbour and Zahvia Beach and are available at a saving with Sunvil Specialist Greece. A week's self-catering from July 6 costs £369 with a flight from Gatwick and transfers. 020-8758 4758

Culture vultures can visit Italy's two most famous cities on a two-centre break with Cities Direct. The trip starts with a flight from Stansted to Rome on July 9 for three nights' B&B at the Tempio di Pallade hotel before taking the train to Florence for three nights at the Martelli and a return flight from Pisa. Price: £369. 01242 536900

Eurodam, the newest five-star ship from Holland America Line, which will be named on July 1, sails on July 25 from Copenhagen to Norwegian fjords and northern Britain - and Ideal Cruising has a special offer for the trip. Fly to Copenhagen from London for ten nights' full-board with calls at Oslo, the fjords, Newcastle and Edinburgh before returning from the Danish capital and pay from £889. 0800 9778561

Long haul

Sample high-rise Dubai on a short break available this month and next with Premier Holidays and decide whether you would like to stay for longer the next time. The deal includes a flight from Heathrow, transfers and three nights' B&B at the four-star Traders Dubai hotel and costs from £419. 0844 4937542

Fleewinter will celebrate Nelson Mandela's 90th birthday next month with free excursions to Robben Island, where he was imprisoned. Take the trip while staying in apartments in the Cape Town area that sleep four and cost £300 a week. Return flights from Heathrow can be booked by the firm from £470. 020-7112 0019

All prices are per person and based on two sharing a room unless stated otherwise.

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