FOR AS LITTLE AS...

pounds 6

you can ogle at some of the weird and wonderful transport ideas that never quite got off the ground. The London Transport Museum (tel: 0171 379 6344) is the venue for a light-hearted talk by head curator, Mark Dennison, on Wednesday 18 March at 6.30pm. Among many topics, Mr Dennison will be considering what went wrong with the spiral escalator, and will reveal whether a Routemaster bus really leapt Tower Bridge. Tickets must be booked in advance.

pounds 37

you can improve your lifestyle, be a "creative" parent, and a more environmentally- friendly gardener. At Cheltenham Spa's Natural Health and Ecology Show, on 28-29 March, visitors can get advice and information on all aspects of health, take part in therapy sessions, and attend special lectures and workshops. Subjects covered include reflexology, holistic and oriental medicine. Cheltenham Tourist Information Centre (tel. 01242 522 878) can book accommodation from pounds 35 for a double room, while tickets to the show cost pounds 2 a day.

pounds 148

you can gorge yourself on beef on the bone on the island of Jersey - where the local government has not followed the UK's beef ban. On 20-22 March, the two-star Hotel de Normandie (tel: 01534 32 226) is running a special "Beef Weekend", where meat lovers can enjoy a T-bone steak on Saturday night and roast ribs of beef for Sunday lunch. The price includes return flights from London Gatwick, two nights' accommodation, breakfast, dinners and a Sunday lunch.

pounds 269

per person, you can hear all the White House gossip on sex and Saddam at first hand, on a short break to Washington DC. The price includes return fights from either London, Manchester or Birmingham, all airport taxes and three nights' room only at the Holiday Inn. This offer lasts for departures up to 30 April (excluding April 3-13). Information from Funway Holidays on 0181 466 0222.

pounds 365

you can have two weeks of winter sun in the sunshine state of Goa in southern India. The north of Goa, where you will be staying, has swathes of sandy beaches and deserted coves, squeezed between the clear waters of the Indian Ocean and the lush greenery of the Western Ghats. The above price is for departures on 26 February and includes return flights from London Gatwick, airport taxes, transfers, and B&B accommodation in a two- star hotel. For more information call Sunworld on 0990 550 440.

pounds 495

you can sail the River Nile and travel through the Valley of the Kings on a 15-day Egyptian adventure. Beginning in Cairo with a visit to the Great Pyramids, you will travel south to Luxor where you can take a donkey trek through the Valley of the Kings, before beginning your journey down the Nile on a traditional felucca sailboat. The price includes flights, transport, 14 nights' accommodation, some meals, and the services of a group leader and local guides. Call Explore Worldwide on 01252 319 448.

pounds 1,395

adventurers, sado-masochists and religious devotees can experience the natural beauty of the Philippines before joining in the bizarre Easter celebrations. Departing the UK on 29 March, highlights of this two-week adventure include exploring hidden lagoons and mangrove forests by kayak and snorkelling among coral reefs. The culmination of the trip is attending the country's Easter celebrations, where processions include people flagellating themselves in the morning and being nailed to a cross in the afternoon. Details from Symbiosis on 0171 924 5906.