British Isles

Harbour Studio in the picture postcard village of Polperro, southeast Cornwall, is the former home of Frederick Cook, a local artist who rose to fame as an illustrator for Enid Blyton. The well-furnished home on the pedestrian-only Warrens is on offer with holidaylettings.co.uk for six nights from Sunday for £450. It sleeps four. 01865 312000

The Lordleaze country hotel on the edge of Chard, Somerset, has rooms for two with breakfast from £105 a night during the county's art weeks, which run from September 13 to 28. Guests staying at the 18th-century farmhouse will be able to visit up to 200 artist's studios opening their doors across the county. 01460 61066

The coast of West Wales appeals to surfers, walkers and those eager to explore the Skomer and Ramsey Islands, as well as artists. The Granary sleeps six and is one of six cottages built around a courtyard a short walk from the beach and facilities of Broad Haven on St Bride's Bay. It costs £327 for a week from September 6 and 20 with Coastal Cottages of Pembrokeshire. 01437 772760

Combine rural peace and a day or two at Alton Towers on a week's holiday in a restored stone barn in an acre of land with woods, streams and waterfalls in the hamlet of Ford, Staffordshire, which is seven miles (11km) from the theme park. It sleeps seven and costs £385 for a week from September 13 with holidaylets.net . 020-7108 1133

Cumbrian Cottages has a home converted from a 17th-century barn available in the Lake District for a week from September 6, 13 and 20. Damson Barn, which sleeps seven, has walks from the door, costs £480 a week and is in the centre of Crosthwaite, which has a good pub. A pet dog is welcome for an extra £25. 01228 599960

One of Scotland's oldest country house hotels near St Andrews, Fife, famous for golf, medieval buildings and the university, has luxury breaks on offer. B&B at Rufflets, a mansion house set in ten acres of gardens, costs from £80 a night; add dinner in the award-winning Terrace Restaurant and wine for an extra £35 a head. Upgrade to a romantic room in the turret for £50 or a suite for £70. 01334 472594

Short haul

As the school holidays end and the credit crunch bites, package holiday prices are coming down more dramatically than usual. Jewel in the Crown has a week in a three-star hotel on the turquoise coast of Turkey from September 5 from £234. That includes a flight from Gatwick and B&B in lively Marmaris. The price for a seafront hotel in the quieter resort of Cali, near Fethiye, for the same week is £258. 0870 0672352

Stalis, a lively resort on the north coast of Crete, features in deals on offer with Kosmar Holidays. Fly from Manchester on September 9 and a week's self-catering costs from £289. Leave from Gatwick on September 5 and pay from £269, or go a fortnight later and pay £195. 0871 7000747

A choice of holidays to the tranquil and pretty Ionian island of Paxos are available for a week from Monday. Stay in a traditional stone-built house or villa, some with pools, and pay from £495 to £695 with Planos Holidays, with a flight from Gatwick to Corfu, private ferry transfer and car hire included. 01373 814200

A week in the Algarve for £215 is on offer with Expedia.co.uk. The deal includes a flight from Gatwick to Faro on September 19 and a room in the three-star Club Praia da Rocha. Among entertainment available at the club is a folklore show, preceded by food and drink, from £33 a head. 0871 2260808

The Switzerland Travel Centre has walking holidays in the Jungfrau on offer between September 13 and October 3. The region is home to 76 signposted walks and hikes, lasting from 30 minutes to five hours. A week's break costs £545, with a flight from Heathrow, rail transfers, B&B at a three-star hotel in Wilderswil, hiking maps and rail pass. 020-7420 4900

A 13-night cruise from Greenock sails for the Western Mediterranean on October 13 with a special interest programme for budding artists. The ports visited lend themselves to the theme and include Almería and Cartagena in Spain, Palma, Majorca, Mahon, Minorca amd Gibraltar. Prices with Fred Olsen start from £773 for an outside cabin. 01473 742424

Long haul

The choice of activities on a week's holiday in Grenada with Regaldive extends far beyond diving. The True Blue Bay Resort, where it is based, boasts an infinity pool, kayak hire, yacht charters and a scuba diving centre. The price of £699 includes a flight from Gatwick, transfers and B&B, but activities are extra. 01353 659999

If the Olympics have inspired you to visit China, Voyages Jules Verne has arranged a tour at lower than usual prices. It includes an overnight flight from Heathrow, three nights in Beijing with visits to the Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square, the Summer Palace and the Great Wall, and three in Shanghai with excursions. You will have to wait until January for the best price of £805; trips later this year start from £905. 0845 1667035

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

Times recommends

• The Green Spaces Travel Awards, 2008 - the winners
• Britain's 12 best winter walks
• The insiders' guide to bohemian Paris