TRAVEL: DEALS OF THE WEEK: HALF-TERM GETAWAYS

You've only just got the children back to school, but half-term really isn't that far away - officially 25-29 October. It might seem too early to start considering another holiday but, by the end of October, both you and the kids will probably need a break, and there are some great deals to be snapped up at the moment.

Disneyland, Paris

Disneyland is every child's dream and you can pick up extra brownie points by taking up the half-term offer from European Life (tel: 0870 242 4455). A two-night break at the three-star theme hotel, Newport Bay Club at Disneyland Paris - a 1900s/turn of the century New England Resort with a very 1990s heated swimming pool. Over half-term prices are pounds 231 per adult based on two people sharing and pounds 55 per child (based on two children sharing the parents' room). The price includes b&b accommodation, unlimited entry to the giant theme park and return Dover-Calais crossing for car and passengers.

Toad Hall Cottages, Devon

The real Christopher Robin's cottage - called Winnie-the-Pooh - is already booked for half-term week, but Toad Hall Cottages (tel: 01548 853089) still has a few picture book locations left. The Old Rectory Cottage in Thurlestone, Devon, within easy reach of the shops, pub, beach and golf course costs pounds 255 for the week and sleeps four to five people. And Riverside House in Tuckenhay is a dreamy thatched cottage in the middle of a sleepy village beside the river with exposed beams and original fireplace. It costs pounds 389 for up to eight people or pounds 492 for nine to 10 people. Both are Friday-to-Friday lets.

Tunisia

Cadogan Holidays (tel: 01703 828313) has organised additional charter flights to cope with extra demand over the half-term period to three of its most popular destinations - Tunisia, Morocco and Madeira. Departing on 23 October, a week's stay at the three-star Les Orangers Hotel in Hammamet costs pounds 541 per person based on two people sharing, with up to two children - from the age of two to 11 in a room with their parents - paying pounds 422 each. Prices include return flights, b&b accommodation and coach transfers.

Cycling in the Loire Valley, France

Wear them out cycling through France with Sherpa Expeditions (tel: 0181- 577 2717). "Chat- eaux of the Loire" is an eight-day, self-guided inn to inn cycling holiday graded easy, starting from any date in October. The price is pounds 699 per person based on two people sharing, including return flights to Paris, metro to Gare d'Austerlitz and direct non-TGV train to Amboise, b&b accommodation in two- or three-star Logis de France and five evening meals. There is a flight supplement in October of pounds 16 and cycle hire FFr370 (pounds 37) is paid locally.

London

From the Natural History Museum to Madame Tussauds, the sights of London will keep the kids amused this half-term. And it needn't break the bank. The Hotel Directory (tel: 0181-770 0123) is an accommodation specialist offering free or reduced child places at 35 two- to four-star hotels in the capital. At the three-star Eden Park in Bayswater a two-night stay costs pounds 98 per person for two adults with two children able to stay for free.

Brittany, France

A French country cottage in Brittany might also be the answer. Country Cottages in France (tel: 01282 445005) still has a selection of properties available for the half-term week. These include the "Kervinic" deal for children, with a games room offering table tennis and table football and a short distance from a selection of beaches offering windsurfing, sailing and fishing. For just pounds 285, the price includes return Dover/Calais ferry crossing for one car and up to five passengers.

Cyprus

Olympic Holidays (tel: 0181-343 9090) is offering a week's holiday to Cyprus staying at the Elamaris Hotel apartments in Protaras departing on 24 October. Based on a family of four (two adults and two children) sharing, the price of pounds 1,394 includes return flights, transfers and self- catering accommodation. Facilities include a freshwater swimming pool, tennis courts and video games.

Whitby, Yorkshire

Countrywide Holidays (tel: 01942 241432) is offering a bargain break this half-term at Abbey House, a country guest house on the cliffs overlooking the harbour at Whitby. A four-night mid-week break in October normally costs pounds 129 but the price has been cut to pounds 80 per person with a 50 per cent discount for up to two four-15-year-olds (sharing with parents). The same deal is open to single parents with one child. The deal includes accommodation, full English breakfast and three-course evening meals.

Jersey

Modern Hotels (tel: 01534 35511) has availability between 23 and 30 October on its three-night half-term breaks in Jersey, from pounds 119 per person based on two people sharing. The price includes return catamaran crossing from Poole to Weymouth, transfers and b&b accommodation at the Metropole or the Mayfair Hotel in St Helier. Children between two and 11 sharing a room with two adults receive a 50 per cent reduction.