British Isles

Although holidaying in Britain is in vogue this summer, a good choice of properties still remains. Off the coast road between Tintagel and Boscastle in north Cornwall, a single-storey cottage for four is on offer for a week from August 8 for £436 with Cornish Traditional Cottages. Sandy beaches and riding stables are near by and there are excellent cliff and country walks. 01208 821666

A small, refurbished terraced house in Burtersett, near Hawes in the Yorkshire Dales, is available for a week from August 9 and 16 with Yorkshire Cottages. Sunnyside Cottage sleeps up to four - and a dog - and costs £320. 01228 406701

A newly-converted stone cowshed in stunning scenery near Llandeilo, Mid Wales, with fishing available on the River Cothi, can still be booked for a week from August 15 and 22. The Bothy on the Edwinsford Estate sleeps three and costs £475 a week. 01558 685848

An August deal is on offer at the four-star Radisson SAS Waterfront Hotel in St Helier, Jersey, which opened late last year and has an indoor pool and putting green. Four nights' B&B and a ferry crossing with car from Weymouth or Poole costs from £319 with Condorbreaks. 0845 2303241

Summer specials are on offer for August at four-star hotels in the Mercure group. Prices start from £59 a night for a double room and breakfast at Albrighton Hall Hotel and Spa, an 18th-century mansion near Shrewsbury, and from £79 a night at the Southgate Hotel in the centre of Exeter and at the Shakespeare Hotel, Stratford-upon-Avon. 0871 7029471

Two children's activity holidays for the price of one are on offer at Camp Beaumont centres in August. The total price for two seven to seventeen-year-olds is now from £460, with full board, activities and evening events. The offer applies to centres on the Norfolk coast, Northumberland, North Wales and the Isle of Wight. 01603 660333

Short haul

The strength of the euro is making destinations beyond the eurozone popular this summer - with Turkey a favourite choice. Prices with Jewel in the Crown for a week from August 22, including the Bank Holiday, start from £389 for adults and £208 for children under 12 for B&B at a two-star hotel with pool in the hillside town of Ovacik. A three-star hotel on the beach in the resort of Calis is from £448. Flights from Manchester included in both deals. 0870 0672352

Sunsail's Club Phokaia on the Aegean coast of Turkey provides a sailing programme, windsurfing, a long sandy beach, large pool and tennis. A week's half-board from August 31 costs from £599 with activities and a flight from Gatwick. 0844 4636578

Introduce the family to famous European cities and ports on a week's Mediterranean cruise, sailing from Majorca, on August 16. The Island Star calls at Livorno for Pisa and Florence, Genoa, Barcelona and Valencia. Prices, with Ideal Cruising and based on four sharing a family cabin, are £599 for adults and £494 for under-12s, with a flight from Gatwick to Palma, full board and tips. 0800 9778561

A week's self-catering from August 10 in a studio looking down over olive groves to the ocean on the small island of Meganissi, off the west coast of Greece, costs from £499 with Sunvil. A flight from Gatwick and transfers are included. 020 8758 4758

Whether Strictly Come Dancing or Mamma Mia! The Movie is your inspiration, a dance and movement break on Lefkas will get you in the swing. The holidays, for a week from August 31 and September 7, cost from £619 with Healthy Options, including a flight from Gatwick, transfers, a room in a beachfront hotel and the dance programme. No single supplements for those prepared to share with a guest of the same sex. 0844 4992909

Long haul

A week's full board in the Maldives for £699 is on offer with Hayes & Jarvis. Fly from Heathrow on August 31 and transfer to the three-star Biyadhoo Resort, beside a fine reef on South Male Atoll. 0871 6640246

A six-day post-Olympics trip to Beijing to appreciate the city without the crowds and visit the “bird's nest” stadium is available on selected dates in September with Bales Worldwide. Flights from Heathrow, B&B, city tours and a visit to the Great Wall of China are included in the £1,365 price. 0845 0570600

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

Times recommends

• Q&A: what to do if your flight is disrupted
• Bargains in the best luxury hotel openings
• Get in shape for summer breaks