Travel: For as little as ...

pounds 44.50

you can hire a car for the weekend and save almost 50 per cent on Holiday Autos' usual list price. The deal is that a group 'A' car must be collected after 2pm on Friday and returned by 9am the following Monday. Cars are available from pick-up points all over the UK (except central London). This special offer is available until 31 March and includes insurance and unlimited mileage. Call Holiday Autos on 0990 300 400.

pounds 149

homesick Aussies and winter weary Brits can fly to Perth and enjoy a cappuccino in friendly Fremantle or a barbie on Cottesloe Beach. The price is for one-way flights with Britannia Airways leaving Gatwick on 16 and 23 February and includes departure tax. Call Austravel on 0171 734 7755.

pounds 299

per person, you can spend a weekend basking with sharks off the Isle of Man in June. Weather permitting, participants are invited to snorkel with these gentle giants, some of which grow to over 35ft in length. Also included is a tour of the island and a chance to observe other wildlife including choughs, seals, whales and dolphins. The price includes return flights from Liverpool (other airports are available for a supplement) and half-board accommodation. Call Saltmarsh on 0117 984 8040.

pounds 445

you can pick your own asparagus in Karlsruhe, one of Germany's famous asparagus hot-spots. Departing on 22 May and 5 June, this unique three- day holiday coincides with the important Spargelzeit (asparagus season). Highlights include a trip to an asparagus auction house, a special gourmet asparagus lunch, wine tasting at Kraichgau, and a special pick-your-own asparagus session. The above price, which is per person, includes return flights from Heathrow, transfers, two nights B&B in a four-star hotel and free travel on local public trams and buses. Call Moswin on 0116 271 9922.

pounds 580

art lovers can visit south-west France this spring to see a performance of La Boheme in Toulouse and view the work of the great French impressionists. Departing 2 April, this four-day trip includes tours of the Palace de la Berbie (home to the world's largest collection of Toulouse-Lautrec's work), the fortified town of Carcassonne and the famous Hotel d' Assezat (home to notable works by Bonnard and the Fauvistes). The above price is per person and includes return flights from London, four-star B&B accommodation, two lunches, and tickets to La Boheme on the Saturday night. Call Travel for the Arts on 0171 483 4466.

pounds 625

you can enjoy a gentle introduction to hut touring in Norway and pick up some skiing and survival skills along the way. Departing 1 and 8 March, the trip combines five nights in a comfortable mountain lodge with two nights in a Norwegian hut. Talks on touring and survival techniques will complement a varied and exciting cross-country skiing programme. The price per person includes flights from Aberdeen or Heathrow, accommodation and meals. Call Waymark Holidays on 01753 516 477.

pounds 3,175

per person, you can go on the ultimate battlefield and bush tour of South Africa's Zululand. Departing 14 March, this special 12-day journey takes in the scenic splendour of the Drakenburg Mountains, the game reserve of Spion Kop, the battlefields of the Anglo-Boer War and some premier game viewing in the Zulu Nyala Reserve. The price includes flights, full- board luxury accommodation, transport, guide fees, and 13 days car hire. For further information contact On Safari on 0171 823 5900.