Top three budget deals
? The lowest prices are at camp sites and rental properties in northern France. For example Du Puits, a three-bedroom semi-detached former farm cottage near Quimperle, southern Brittany, is available from 3 August for two weeks, for £808 (not including ferry). Brittany Travel (01920 412013, www.brittany.co.uk).
? Activity-based breaks in the French Alps are also particularly good deals. Starting 3 August you can get 14 nights in a self-catering apartment at the Alpine Residence of Avoriaz, overlooking the Morzine Valley, for £678 for a party of five. There is a heated swimming pool on-site, as well as walking, mountain hikes and cycling. Prices include return Dover-Calais ferry crossing. Eurocamp Independent (0870 366 7572, www.eurocampindependent.co.uk).
? Some of the cheapest destinations are in Spain, but a flight-and-resort holiday is far more costly than a car-based property rental. The most economical deal we could find for the peak season was a one-bedroom, self-catering apartment in Menorca, available through jmc (0870 5550440) for £1,677 for a fortnight for a family of four, starting from 2 August. The threestar Los Lentiscos at Cala en Forcat has its own pools, tennis courts and gym.
