British Isles

Center Parcs has launched a summer sale with prices for a new contemporary lodge for four starting from £499 for three nights from Friday at Longleat, Wiltshire, and Sherwood Forest, Nottinghamshire. The same deal is available over the August Bank Holiday weekend at Longleat and Whinfell Forest, Cumbria. The parks offer 100 onsite activities, including a soccer circus and tree trekking. 0844 8267723

An end-of-terrace barn conversion for six at the head of Batson Creek, Salcombe, South Devon, is on offer for five nights from July 21. It costs £395 with Salcombe Holiday Homes. 01548 843485

As golfers eagerly await the Open Championship starting tomorrow, four courses in South Wales have joined forces with local hotels to form Golf on Gower packages. They cost from £155 with two nights' B&B at hotels in Swansea and on the Gower and three rounds of golf. The courses include the Clyne and Pennard perched above the sea on moors and cliffs and a parkland course. 0800 0832983

After bizarrely comparing himself with Heathcliff, Gordon Brown might like to learn more about the Brontë sisters and their novels. You can do the same and wander the Yorkshire moors while staying at the Old Registry near their home in Haworth. A double en suite room for two costs a total of £180 for three nights from July 24 with bookdirectrooms.com. Other offers include a family room for four at the Shaven Crown hotel in the Cotswolds for £170 for three nights from July 27. 0845 1211523

For an August holiday on Jersey, choose from three nights' B&B at the Ambassadeur hotel on the South Coast for £239 with Condor Breaks or a week's B&B at the Mayfair hotel in St Helier for £389 with Modern Hotels. Fast ferry travel from Poole or Weymouth included in both deals. 0845 2303241/01534 735511

Short haul

A week in a four-star hotel in Luxor from £299 should leave spare funds for excursions to the valleys of the Kings and Queens and trips on the Nile. This deal with Discover Egypt includes a flight from Gatwick on Monday and B&B at the Mercure by the river and within walking distance of Luxor Temple. 0844 8800461

Packages on offer with Monarch Holidays include a week's self-catering on Crete for £295, based on four sharing. Fly from Gatwick on July 22 and stay in the three-star Platanes apartments in the harbour town and resort of Rethymnon on the north coast. 0871 4238642

Week-long cruises through Greece's Dodecanese Islands cost from £499 for the next month, with flights from Gatwick and transfers - and from £225 if you arrange your own travel. These Seafarer Cruises start from Rhodes on Wednesdays and take in the volcanic landscape of Nisyros, a barbecue on a Kalymnos beach, the ruins of Kos and the beauty of Symi. 0800 4964670

Paddle down the Dordogne river, cycle to fortified châteaux and hilltop towns and discover underground caverns on a week's family adventure with Explore. Some places remain for trips starting on August 1, 15 and 17, which cost £499 for adults and over-12s and £419 for 8 to 11-year-olds. Rail travel from London, camping and some meals included. 0844 4990901

Long haul

A week's B&B at Al Waha, the family hotel at the Shangri-La Barr Al Jissah resort, in a private bay near Muscat, Oman, is on offer from £839 this summer with Elite Vacations. Five nights' B&B, with flights, from August 10 costs £599 with Hayes & Jarvis. 01707 371000/0871 6640246

Follow the athletes to Beijing on a trip with Expedia.co.uk which starts with a flight from Heathrow on August 26, two days after the closing ceremony of the Olympics. The deal includes a week at the four-star Fortuneland International hotel from £651, but no excursions. 0871 2260808

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

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