Do your half-term homework

Parents who haven't yet booked a half-term break could be forgiven for thinking that, just this once, they can pick up a bargain and take the family away.

I regret to report this is unlikely. There is definitely more availability than normal, but while the world is thrown into confusion, tour operators are making it clear they don't need to cut prices across the board.

"There are pockets of availability if people are flexible about destination," says Thomson, "but there are no specific discounts."

Airlines, however, have been affected and British Airways (0845 77 333 77) has launched an unprecedented "Kids Go Free" promotion to any city in Europe, with adult fares from £69 (though you pay tax for the child). Book by 23 October.

Not surprisingly, certain destinations are offering half-term bargains. You can see Egypt on the cheap with Hayes and Jarvis (0870 89 89 890), which has seven-night packages to Luxor at £249 per adult or child, a saving of £296 off the normal £545 price. Ditto Turkey - Direct Line Holidays (020 8239 3399) has a week's package in Kalkan for £199pp, and throughout October Holiday Autos (0870 400 0011; www.holidayautos.co.uk) is offering discounts of up to 25 per cent off car rentals in the US, with prices from £18 a day, and free cancellation protection if bookings and payment are made in full.

THE BEST OF WHAT'S LEFT

Florida

Departing Saturday, Jetsave (0870 444 0688) has flights to Orlando for £219pp (seven nights), while First Choice (0870 750 0001) has £199 returns to Sanford (12 nights). US specialist Bon Voyage (0800 316 0194) has departures from Gatwick for seven-night packages at the Holiday Inn South Beach, Miami, at £586 per adult and £199 per child (aged between two and 11 years), a saving of £83 per adult and £53 per child. Kuoni (01306 747 000; www.kuoni.co.uk) has a week at the Wyndham Orlando for £771 per adult and £322 per child.

Caribbean

Elite Vacations (020 8864 4431) has reductions of £47 a night on October holidays at Bermuda's smart Surf Side Beach Club. Seven nights £1,061 (saving £329).

Kenya

Kuoni (01306 747 000; www.kuoni.co.uk) has availability in a number of resorts. The seven-night Kenya Experience costs £867 per adult and £787 per child and combines the seaside Voyager Resort near Mombasa with a four-night safari in Tsavo National Park. Depart Saturday.

Cruises

A seven-night cruise of the western Mediterranean (depart Sunday) on Royal Caribbean's Splendour of the Seas (01932 834300) costs £799pp, with child travelling for £399 (sharing a cabin with two adults), a saving of £270 per adult and £210 per child. Return Stansted 28 October. Greek island-hopping with teens on a motor yacht cruise with Seafarer (01732 229900; www.seafarercruises.com) costs a new price of £549 per adult (a saving of £50) for seven nights. Up to two children under 16 can share parents' cabin for £399 each. Depart late Friday night.

France

A weekend at Disneyland Paris with Leisure Direction (0208 324 3030; www.leisuredirection.co.uk) costs £508 for a family of four (with two three- to 11-year-olds sharing a family room with parents at the Newport Bay Club Hotel). Includes return car ferry crossing and three-day unlimited Park access.

Self-drive specialist Motours (01892 686666) has three-night ferry-inclusive prices for a family of two adults and two children starting at £222 with B&B at the Holiday Inn Express at Futuroscope - dedicated to the moving image - near Poitiers. Two-day entrance tickets can be pre-booked for £40 adults, £28 children.

Prices at Disneyland Paris (08705 03 03 03; www.disneylandparis.com) for a self-drive package start from £167 per adult and £47 per child for a family of two adults and two children (three-11 years) sharing a family room for two nights at Disney's Hotel Cheyenne. Price includes return Channel crossing, park passes and breakfast.

Spain

JMC (0870 758 0194) has apartments for seven nights, including Topaz in Callas Majorca, for £816 for two adults and two children; Ibiza (San Antonio Bay) at Encanto apartments, £916; and the Oasis Park at Cala'n Forcat, Menorca, for £866. In north-west Majorca, Thomson (0870 550255) has a week at the 3T Continental Park, Alcudia, departing Friday for £1,201 per family based on two adults and one child sharing, while a week at the 3T Son Baulo, C'an Picafort, costs £1,111 per family based on two adults and one child sharing.

UK

Three nights on Jersey with Channel Islands Direct (0870 889 0858) cost £99 per adult including sea crossing with own car from Portsmouth and B&B at the Ambassadeur Hotel opposite St Clement's Bay beach. Children travel free and stay free of charge (room only).

Kids stay free at Le Manoir aux Quatre Saisons (01844 278881 - ask for half-term break) sharing parents' room. Sunday to Friday rate is £225 per adult and includes the seven-course Menu Gourmand dinner and upgrade to junior suite. Children have a dedicated menu (from £15) and toy box in room.

Children don't have to share parents' room at The Lygon Arms (01386 852255), which offers two rooms for the price of one (£229) over half term. Excluding Saturday nights.

Autumn in the Lakes comes at a discount with Cumbrian Cottages (01228 599960; www.cumbrian-cottages.co.uk). Low Fell Cottage, Crosthwaite, sleeps six and now costs £450 for half-term week instead of £690. At The Burn How Garden House Hotel (015394 46226; www.burnhow.co.uk) in Bowness-on-Windermere, three nights in a family room cost £195 per adult halfboard with children staying for £12 per night (meals extra). Country Holidays (08700 723 723; www. countryholidays.co.uk) has cottages for seven nights from Saturday including Discovery Cottage, £399 (sleeps up to six), in Cheriton Bishop, South Devon.

Blakes (01603 739 400; www.blakes.co.uk) has boats available, including Commander 5 (sleeps up to six) on the Norfolk Broads from Brundall, and Classic Melody 2 (sleeps up to six) for £466 from Thorpe, Norwich. 3D Active Families (0800 169 9783) offers activities from abseiling to dry-skiing at Barton Hall activity village, Torquay. Three, four and seven-night breaks from £117 to £273, with children half-price.