Whilst everyone apart from millionaires and aristocracy seem to be feeling the pinch in the current economic climate, it might be fair to assume that the first thing to go from our general expenditure should be luxury treats such as holidays. Yet although there is no doubt we should cut down on excessive global travel, to protect the planet as well as our pockets, there are still ways to find a great deal on a cheap break closer to home. It could be the perfect Christmas present: instead of spending wildly on gifts, why not have a family break in continental Europe, or a part of the UK you have never visited before?

There are plenty of flight ideas at Monarch, who zip over to Europe from England’s major cities, Manchester, Birmingham and London, for a range of continental holidays. If you are a family of foodies, how about heading down to Cornwall for a cosy week away in a charming cottage or farmhouse-style villa on the south coast? You could visit Jamie Oliver’s pioneering hotel/restaurant Fifteen; or why not drive down to the pretty seaside town of Rock, enjoy a walk along the shore and then take the ferry over the neighbouring Padstow, where you can enjoy a fine fish supper at Rick Stein’s?

There are some great walks to be had on the coastal paths off Padstow’s delicate stone harbour, as well as a fair share of tempting pasty shops, selling the traditional Cornish favourite, with its thick short crust pastry casing filled with steaming hot corned beef, fried with onions and spices. And if you are brave enough, you might even don a wetsuit and go for a Christmas swim….although you might need a strong whisky before dipping your toes in!

If the sea isn’t your thing, there are also plenty of inland cottages and villas to be enjoyed in some of Britain’s other beautiful stretches of countryside, from Pembrokeshire in West Wales, to astonishing old-time luxury in the looming gothic-style spires of spa hotels overlooking Scotland’s Loch Lomond. So if money and fuel consumption are causing a headache, why not solve both problems by travelling within the UK? You don’t need to deny yourself just because two weeks in the Caribbean is too costly to your bank balance and the environment: celebrate the riches we have much closer to home.