Christmas on the beach?

Last updated at 12:46 17 December 2004

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Wake up in Whistler and join Santa on the slopes

Does the thought of another Christmas watching dismal TV re-runs fill you with dread?

It's not too late to stuff the turkey and swap the Queen's speech for a hot beach. We've done a last gasp search of the best holidays still available. So, what are you waiting for? Get packing!

Antigua: all inclusive from £1834 Forget Lapland - come and meet Santa on a sunny beach in Antigua. Virgin Holidays has seven nights' all-inclusive accommodation at Halcyon Cove, including return flights and transfers, leaving Gatwick 22 December for £1834 for adults and £801 for children. Festive treats include carol singing and a visit from Santa on the beach. Call Virgin Holidays on 0871 222 0304 or visit www.virginholidays.com

Ski Andorra from £159 If a week of snowball fights and wild après-ski sounds like your idea of Christmas heaven, Holidays You Like has a selection of great ski breaks departing from London and regional airports, including seven nights' self-catering in Andorra, from just £159. Click here to find out how to book

Shaken not stirred in Ascot, £495 Dry clean your tux, dig out those diamonds and head to the Berystede Hotel in Ascot where festivities include a martini-fuelled James Bond night.

A four-night stay costs £495 per adult and £200 for children aged 4-12 years. Prices include a six-course Christmas Day lunch, afternoon tea and Yuletide buffet and Boxing Day lunch, plus tickets to see Jack and the Beanstalk pantomime at the Theatre Royal Windsor. Call 0870 400 8111 or visit www.macdonaldhotels.co.uk

Festive fjords from £1150 Celebrate Christmas Norwegian style on a festive cruise with Norwegian Coastal Voyage, departing 21 December.

The seven-night cruise along the west coast of Norway travels from Bergen in the south to Kirkenes, calling at numerous ports along the way.

Prices start from £1150 per person including return flights from Heathrow, six nights' full-board accommodation on the ship, one night's B&B in Oslo, transfers and taxes. Based on two sharing. Call 020 8846 2666 or visit www.norwegiancoastalvoyage.com

Delicious Mauritius from £60 a night Decamp the entire family to Mauritius for Christmas in the sun. Exclusive villa company Villas de Maitre have availability at Tamarin House, a villa on the island's west coast. The property sleeps eight, so Grandma and Grandad can come too. Prices start from £480 per villa per night (£60 a person). Air France still have flights to Mauritius, via Paris, for £979 over the Christmas period. Call Villas de Maitre on 01296 334138 or visit www.villasdemaitre.com.

City of Angels from £749 Ditch the festive movies and visit the place they're made instead. Virgin Holidays have late availability on fly-drives to Los Angeles departing Heathrow between 20 - 24 December. Prices include flights and car hire for seven days. Children under 12 travel from £529. Call 0871 222 1203 or visit www.virgin.com/holidays to book.

Joyeux Noël: Provence from £298 CV Travel have a perfect solution for those looking to escape en famille over the Yuletide period.

The Mas des Cabedans, a farmhouse in Provence is available for seven nights over Christmas. Up to 14 people can sleep there and the house is decorated with a Christmas tree. A cook can be organised at extra cost.

Call CV Travel on 0870 062 3428 or visit www.cvtravel.co.uk. easyJet fly into nearby Marseille and still has availability for flights departing 20 - 24 December, visit www.easyjet.co.uk.

Swap poultry for Turkey from £369 When you've finished with the turkey sandwiches, curry or stew, feast on the country instead. Thomas Cook have seven-night holidays departing Gatwick on 28 December.

For £369 prices include bed and breakfast accommodation at the three-star Alaiye hotel. Call Thomas Cook on 0870 1 111 111 or visit www.thomascook.com to book.

Ski with the stars from £1118 Glitzy Canadian ski resort Whistler regularly attracts the likes of Kevin Costner, Brad Pitt and Uma Thurman to its slopes. Spend Christmas day in Whistler with CV Ski from £1118 per person based on two people sharing.

Flights depart Gatwick on 22 December and prices include bed and breakfast accommodation at the four-star Summit Lodge and Spa and flights from Gatwick with Zoom. Call CV Ski on 0870 062 3425.

Cypriot Christmas from £259 The birthplace of Aphrodite is perfect if you want to add a little romance as well as sunshine into your Christmas. Bookitlate.com has seven nights' half-board in the bustling resort of Paphos for £259 per person. Click here to find out how to book.