Sunday Mirror

Where to Find Winter Sun ; Our Top 10 Bargain Exotic Places.. From Barbados to Egypt

Track down Santa Lapland's too far? So find him right here

Holidays

Wish You Were.. Here?

Irish breaks MANY of Ireland's best guesthouses, B&Bs and hotels are in the countryside or overlooking the sea. And all make the most of fresh local produce. Car ferry tickets start at pounds 69 each way with www.irishferries.com For more info on Irish holidays go to www.discoverireland.ie

Top 10 ..Winter Sun ; Beat the Winter Gloom by Going Somewhere Exotic with These Fantastic Bargains We've Found for You. Travel Editor Gill Williams Reports...

To book today or for more Travel Top 10 ideas simply go to www.sundaymirror.co.uk/travel/top10 1. MEXICO, 7 nights all-in from pounds 629pp

Your Holiday Pounds

Travel Update

IF you are a skier or snowboarder check out www.snowcarbon.co.uk to see how you arrive at the slopes by train rather than plane. It's an easy-to-use site showing how you can book the best fares while also pinpointing the easiest resorts to reach by rail in Europe. Travelling by train not only slashes your carbon footprint but can also cut the cost of your journey compared with flying. SEE the return of The King in concert at London's 02 Arena on February 28. Thanks to state of the art video-p...

Fjord Fiesta ; It's Three Women and a Boat On Their..

WHEN Mum, Nana and I decided to go away for some quality time together there was just one problem. With ages ranging from 34 to 93 (my mum Lynda is 62) where on Earth could we go that would suit us all?

Cruise News

SEE the Northern Lights on the Marco Polo next March. Sail from Tilbury up the Norwegian coastline as far as Alta in the Arctic Circle before cruising down to Alesund and Bergen. From pounds 849pp (www.cruiseandmaritime.com, 0845 430 0274). OCEAN Village are giving away pounds 75pp spending money to everyone booking a 14-night Caribbean cruise for the winter sun 2009/ 10 season by November 3 (www.oceanvillageholidays.co.uk or call 0845 358 5000).

Inside Guide

How do we all go on the piste without a financial hangover? ?SOME friends and I want to go on a weekend break in December without spending too much. Is it too early to go skiing or snowboarding? - Jon Olney, London

Deals of the Week

SHORT HAUL Costa Brava from pounds 140pp

Wayne's World ; Saddle Up for a Tour of Classic Western Landscapes

JOHN Wayne may have hung up his stetson 30 ago and gone to the big corral in the sky, but he's as large as life here in Utah. You don't need to go far in this state bumping into someone who worked with the stabled his horses or just ran errands for him.

Between the Sheets ; Inside Our Hotel of the Week

myhotel, 11-13 Bayley Street, London WC1 Where and why Right in the heart of the West End, this is one of the ultra-cool myhotel group, with sister establishments in Chelsea and Brighton. The 78 funky but functional rooms with air con, flatscreen TVs and CD players are Conran-designed, the staff are youthful and friendly, and the service is superb.

Uk Days Out

ENGLAND NOVEMBER 2-6: For high-speed thrills head for Coniston Water in the Lake District for Powerboat Speed Records Week. For more information call Coniston tourist information centre on 01539 441533.

Visit Santa At.. Ho-Ho-Home ; a Trip to Lapland to See Santa Is Fantastic, but Kids Can Have the Same Experience Here...

A TRIP to Lapland to meet Santa is top of most children's wishlist, though there can be drawbacks. Not only are the flights expensive, but once you get there temperatures can be as low as - 20C which can make it tough on little ones (even though they love it!). There are alternatives nearer home. Pick the right one and you can enjoy some Christmas magic at a fraction of the cost and without the hassle of flying abroad.

Offer

Do It!

Jobs for the week Easy Raise patio containers on pot feet to prevent waterlogging.

Chill Out in a Hot Spot ; Simple Tricks to Turn Your Garden Into the Perfect Place for Autumn Evenings

ENTERTAINING SPACE (Main picture) NOW is the perfect time to convert your tired old patio into a place where you can enjoy entertaining your friends - even in winter! Plant evergreens, add builtin benches - made comfortable with cushions - and screen the sitting area with peep-through reed or bamboo screens. You can even install a fire pit and special lighting to make the garden feel warm and cosy.

Expert Advice

Keep apples under wrap ?to enjoy them all winter I WANT to store apples from my garden to use during the winter. What's the best way to go about it? - Catherine Williams, Colchester, Essex

A New Kitchen.. Built to Last ; How to Get a Makeover That Will Go On for Years..

FOURTEEN years, two children and a dog had taken their toll on Lorraine and Michael Grady's kitchen. Bits were falling off, the work surfaces had seen better days and the storage space was becoming indequate for a growing family.

Get the Look

Jme tablet chopping board pounds 18 (www.jamieoliver.com) Dotty melamine bowl pounds 15 for four (www.cathkidston.co.uk)