British Isles

Make sure your short break goes with a bang by taking up Paramount Hotels’ offer of a weekend combined with Guy Fawkes Night celebrations. Stay at its Cheltenham Park Hotel in time for the fireworks, funfair and live music at Cheltenham Racecourse on November 3 and two nights’ dinner, B&B cost from £110. Two nights’ dinner, B&B at the Angel Hotel, Cardiff, near Cardiff Castle where the Sparks in the Park event takes place on November 3, start at £100. 0870 1688833

Enjoy a more cerebral break in Oxford, where from November 1 the Macdonald Randolph Hotel has two-night breaks starting at £130. The deal at the hotel that appeared regularly in the Inspector Morse TV series includes B&B, a snack in the lounge and dinner discount. 0844 8799132

Dublin is worth visiting any time of the year but this deal with Irish Ferries Holidays provides an extra reason for travelling in November and early December. Three nights’ B&B at the three-star, city-centre Regency Hotel costs £99, based on four sharing but with a crossing with car from Holyhead. 0870 5171717

Across the country in Co Donegal, Harvey’s Point Country Hotel on the shores of Lough Eske, has a four-day watercolour painting break from November 19. With dinner, light lunch, B&B and expert tution from Dermot Kelly, the break at this AA Hotel of the Year starts at £325. Travel extra. 00 353 749722208

Views of the sea and harbour at Looe (below) in southeast Cornwall can be enjoyed from the balcony of a stylish flat for two, available for a week from November 3 and two following Saturdays for £215 with the Cornish Collection. Upstream at Lanreath, The Mill sleeps eight and costs £318 for a week from this Saturday and through November with Cornish Traditional Cottages. 0845 3651394 / 01208 821666

The TYF Eco Hotel, a converted windmill specialising in organic food at St David’s, Pembrokeshire, has a two-for-one offer this winter, bringing the starting price for B&B for a couple down to £30 a night. Beach and cliff walks are nearby and the hotel can arrange more adventurous activities such as sea kayaking and rock climbing. 01437 721678

An 18th-century four-bedroom farmhouse in the Kentmere Valley, much loved by the Lake District writer Alfred Wainwright, is available for a week from November 10, 17 and 24 with Cumbrian Cottages. It has oak beams, three acres of gardens and costs £550. 01228 599960

Short haul

Escape the winter cold that is starting to grip Britain by heading to the Canary Islands where Cosmos has a choice of deals. Fly from Gatwick on November 2 for a week in three-star flats in Playa de las Americas, Tenerife, and pay £179, or depart on November 15 from Manchester for Lanzarote, where a week’s self-catering costs £169. Both deals are based on four sharing. 0871 6224317

Also on Lanzarote is a pretty villa for five which is available for a week from November 8 for £360, a £100 saving, with Premier Holidays. Flights are extra buit can be booked by the company. Villa Delfin has its own pool and is in Matagorda in the popular resort of Puerto del Carmen 0800 0470400

A weekend break in Normandy, starting on November 2, is on offer with Inntravel. It costs £155 with a Dover to Calais P&O ferry crossing with car and two nights’ half-board at the half-timbered Auberge de l’Abbaye in the historic village of Bec-Hellouin. The inn serves classic regional cuisine and is well-placed for exploring the Seine Valley and city of Rouen. 01653 617910

Madeira for a week from £329 is a good price deal with lastminute.com. It starts with a flight from Gatwick on November 5 and includes a week’s B&B at the four-star Pestana Atalaia Aparthotel on a cliff overlooking the bay and close to Funchal, the capital. 0870 4439902

Enjoy the souks, coffee shops and many other delights of Marrakesh on a week’s holiday with youtravel.com which begins with a flight from Luton on November 14. Prices start at £219 with half-board at the four-star Meryem Hotel. 0871 7506337

Dusseldorf has more going for it than many imagine, especially when the Christmas markets open on November 22. The historic city has one of the most varied collections of markets, each with its own theme: crystal, family games and traditional gifts – and a new nativity scene, individually crafted each year. Prices with the German Travel Centre start at £199 with return fights from the UK and a night in a four-star hotel. 020-8429 2900

A three-night voyage to see the Northern Lights when they are at their brightest in midwinter will shortly be available with Hurtigruten, with the launch of a direct flight from Stansted to Tromso, Northern Norway. Depart on December 8 or 15 and the trip up to Trondheim aboard a Norwegian liner costs £395, with flights, transfers, taxes and half-board on the ship. 020-8846 2666

Long haul

Next month marks the start of the best season to visit Goa and Kerala, with average temperatures around 30C and less humidity than at other times. Goa Way launches its programme with a discounted two-centre holiday for £699, with Friday flights in November to Goa from Manchester, returning from Kerala to Gatwick. A week in a family-run hotel in North Goa and a week in a guesthouse in Kovalam are included. 020-7258 7800

In contrast to meditating in India, United Vacations offers a four-night shopping spree in San Francisco from £465, a £145 saving, for a month from November 15. The deal includes a direct flight from Heathrow, staying at the Tuscan Inn on Fisherman’s Wharf, evening wine receptions and a Macy’s discount card. Book by next Wednesday. 0844 4992229

More opportunities to take advantage of the strength of the pound against the dollar are on offer with Flight Centre. Three nights at the five-star Nine Zero Hotel in the heart of Boston and close to the famous Filene’s Basement store cost from £594 with flights from London next month; three nights in December at the four-star Omni Shoreham hotel, Washington, start at £379 with flights. 0870 4990042

A week in the African sun for £249 is the top deal with Directline Holidays. Fly from Gatwick to The Gambia on November 14 for B&B at the two-star Palma Rima Hotel, 250m from the nearest beach and a 40-minute ride from Banjul, the capital. 020-8239 3399

Eight nights’ full board in the Maldives from £695 is available with Voyages Jules Verne, with Sunday flights from Gatwick or Monday flights from Manchester from mid-November to mid-December. Accommodation is in the Adaaran Hudhuran Fushi Island resort. 0845 1667035

A three-week adventure in Central America, taking in Mayan cities, volcanic lakes and an island paradise, is available with TrekAmerica. It starts in Cancun, Mexico, on November 18, passes through Belize, Guatemala and Honduras and costs £820 with visits and staying in hotels and campsites. Flights extra. 0870 4448735

Beat fellow ski enthusiasts to the slopes by heading on November 24 to Lake Tahoe, where snow is falling.

Expedia.co.uk offers a week’s B&B at the 3 Peaks Resort & Beach Club for £588 with BA flights from Gatwick. 0871 2260808

Be among the first to sail aboard Norwegian Cruise Lines’ newest ship, Norwegian Gem, when she leaves Europe for the US on December 3. Fly to Barcelona to enjoy the pools, bars, shows and sports on the 14-deck liner on a ten-night voyage via Madeira to Boston. Price with The Leading Cruise Agents Alliance: from £599 with full board and flights. 0870 1225115

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