Travel: Departures: Bargains galore

CONTINUING anxiety about the political situation in Egypt is forcing tour operators to cut the cost of Egyptian holidays. Kuoni (0306 742222) is offering a seven-night package to Luxor from London or Manchester for pounds 269, including return charter flights and bed & breakfast accommodation. A seven-night Nile cruise, with full board, costs pounds 555.

Kuoni's other special offers include 14 nights' half-board in the Maldives from pounds 649; 12 nights in Bali from pounds 659; six nights in the Seychelles from pounds 699; seven nights in Mauritius from pounds 747. Prices to the Caribbean have also been reduced: seven-night packages to Barbados cost from pounds 527; St Lucia from pounds 545; and Jamaica from pounds 553.

French specialists are continuing to slash prices. Canvas Holidays (0383 621000), the tent and mobile-home operator, is offering a series of stand-by holiday discounts for May and June departures. For example, the price of a 14-night camping holiday for a family of two adults and up to four children in Royan in May has been cut from pounds 281 to pounds 197, including short sea ferry crossing.

French Affair (071-381 8519) has reduced the rentals of private houses in south-west France. In the Lot, Dordogne and Gascony regions, four people sharing a house with pool will pay from pounds 49 each a week (excluding travel costs).

For bookings made before the end of May, Just France (0225 446328) is offering discounts of up to pounds 150 on self-drive holidays to more than 30 of its self-catering properties. For example, a seven- night stay in a converted barn at Carlucet in the Dordogne will cost pounds 269 from mid-September, or pounds 697 in early August, including rental and return short sea ferry crossing for a car, two adults and two

children.