Travel: The Last-Chance Saloon

THIS WEEK'S BEST LAST-MINUTE HOLIDAY BUYS

Today: Norfolk

If you fancy a bit of messing about on the river, Blake's (01603 739400) has seven-night self-drive boating holidays available along the Norfolk Broads. Although prices vary depending upon the size of the boat, an example price is pounds 426 for the "Atlanta", which sleeps two people. The trip starts at Neatishead, near Stalham.

Tomorrow: The World!

Trailfinders (0171-938 3939) has a round-the-world, flights-only, package for pounds 929. The flights are with British Airways and Qantas, with the first London to Los Angeles leg departing from Heathrow tomorrow morning at 9.30am. After that, you can decide when to move on to Sydney and then Bangkok, before returning to London.

Monday: Egypt

Discover Egypt (0171-407 2111) offers a seven-night cruise of the Nile for pounds 469 per person, including flights and transfers. The cruise will run from Luxor to Aswan and ten excursions are included in the itinerary. The flight departs from Heathrow at 2.25pm. Although you need a visa for Egypt, as long as you have a ten-year passport valid for at least six months, you will be able to get one at Luxor airport (for about pounds 10).

Tuesday: Normandy

As an alternative to the Brittany Ferries crossing mentioned on page six, P&O European Ferries (0990 980 980) has a crossing from Portsmouth- Cherbourg at 9am. The price of a five-day return ticket for a car and two passengers is pounds 157.50. To arrange accommodation in Caen (about an hour and half from Cherbourg by car) call the tourist office there on 00 33 2 31 27 14 14, and they will be able to tell you which hotels have vacancies. Alternatively, if you would rather stay in Bayeux (an excellent base for visiting the D-Day beaches), the number for the tourist office is 00 33 2 31 51 28 28.

Wednesday: Lanzarote

Thomson (0990 502555) has a tailor-made two week package to Lanzarote available for pounds 505 per person. This price includes flights and transfers and is based on two sharing in self-catering accommodation. The outbound flight departs from Gatwick at 2.15pm, while the return flight arrives back on 15 September at 11pm.

Thursday: Fort William

A cheap-day return ticket from Edinburgh to Fort William costs pounds 20. The best train to give you a good day out leaves at 4.50am so you'll have to set the alarm earlier than usual if you want to spend a sensible amount of time there. This train arrives at 9.43am, while the last train back would be 7.50pm. For further details call Scotrail on 0845 7550033.

Friday: La Gomera

Sherpa Expeditions (0181-577 2717) offers self-guided walking holidays around the Canary Island of La Gomera. For pounds 652 the company will organise seven nights half-board accommodation as well as flights to Tenerife from Gatwick. A suitable route is planned and you will be provided with all the necessary maps.