TRAVELLERS' CHECKS

n AS the cult of Jane Austen continues to grow (after the Beeb's Pride and Prejudice and Emma Thompson's Sense and Sensibility, next is a movie adaptation of Emma), fans of the novelist can take a break from their books and head for the hills with one of HF Holidays' themed breaks.

Based at Abingworth in the heart of the Sussex Downs, participants in the four-night holiday get the chance to explore some of the key locations mentioned in Austen's novels. Among the places featured are Winchester and Chawton, both of which will be brought to life by an experienced HF leader. The Austen holiday departs on November 11, and costs from #239.

HF Holidays offers a range of themed literary and cultural holidays based at its 19 country houses across Britain. Their country house at Conistonwater plays host to breaks which celebrate the numerous writers who have taken inspiration from the Lake District. You can follow in the footsteps of Wordsworth and Beatrix Potter on the guided walking holiday through the Lake District. Priced from #341, the break departs on September 21.

In Scotland, HF Holidays are cashing in on the current Braveheart-fuelled interest in Scottish history by offering a seven-night coach holiday based at Loch Leven and priced from #349. The ``Gaelic Heritage and Traditions'' break departs on August 3 and includes visits to the scene of the Glencoe massacre and many other Highland landmarks.

All HF prices include full board, but not return travel to HF houses, and special rail and National Express coach fares are available. For more details call HF on 0181 905 9558, or write to HF Holidays Ltd, Imperial House, Edgware Road, London NW9 5AL.

n IF you'd prefer to follow in Casanova's footsteps over the Bridge of Sighs rather than in Beatrix Potter's over the Lake District, not only would I quite understand, but I would recommend that you check out Citalia's special offer for Venice this month and in August. If you book seven nights at the four star Hotel Metropole, you need only pay for six (a saving of #70). With the deal, the price is #775, and includes flights, transfers and seven nights' accommodation in this converted monastery.

Citalia is also offering a #250 reduction on the Orient Express trip which departs on October 24. With this discount, the price goes down to #1179 from #1429 and includes the luxury train journey across Europe, all meals, a motorboat taxi down the Grand Canal to your Venice hotel, three nights' bed and breakfast accommodation and your flight back to London. For details of both Citalia offers, call 0181 686 5533.

n FOR a last-minute break with a difference or three, look no further than Island Holidays' 11-night trip to the Lofoten Islands, situated off the west coast of Norway. This is the first year in which this holiday has been available. Only eight people can participate. The boat, the r/s Biskop Hvoslef, explores the unspoilt islands which boast some remarkable scenery. Lofoten's mountains were formed during four ice ages, and the area has one of the world's largest populations of white-tailed eagles. Two nights of the trip will be spent ashore, as facilities on the boat are basic (the cabins don't have showers). The company promises, however, that the food will be excellent.

The fully inclusive cost of the holiday is #1910 (plus travel insurance), and it departs from Aberdeen, London or Manchester on July 25. For more details call 01764 670107.

n DISCOUNTS of up to 50% are available worldwide at hotels in the Forte group. The ``Summer Passport'' discount is being offered on every booking of two or more nights - both weekend and weekday - until September 30, in Forte properties throughout Asia and the Pacific. Until September 15, Forte hotels in the Caribbean, the Western Atlantic, the Middle East, Africa and the Indian Ocean will participate in the deal.

In Europe, the offer is valid until August 31. Among the hotels featured are the Hotel George V in Paris, where a room this summer costs approximately #200 per night; the world-famous Sandy Lane Hotel in Barbados, where a room currently costs #274 per night; a room in the Algarve's Le Meridien Penina Golf and Resort Hotel costs #149 per summer night, and Edinburgh's majestic Forte Grand Balmoral, where a room costs #99 until August 31.

All rates are for single or double occupancy in standard accommodation and include tax and service. Bookings must be made in advance by calling Forte Reservations on 0345 404040, or by contacting your nearest ABTA travel agent.

n EXPLORE Worldwide is offering holidaymakers the chance to visit the Pushkar Camel Fair in northern India. Every year tours visiting this event - attended by more than 20,000 camels and their owners - are sold out months in advance, but Explore Worldwide has added extra dates to allow more people the opportunity of watching this spectacular event.

An extra Moghul Highlights tour will depart on November 22 and will visit the fair before touring the cities of Delhi, Agra and Jaipur. The 12-day tour costs #935 and includes flights, bed and breakfast accommodation and the guidance of a tour leader. For more information call Explore Worldwide on 01252 319448.

n HOT off the press is the news of late availablity on a 14-night holiday at the Turtle Bay beach club in Kenya departing on July 21 (that's next Sunday). The price for this holiday has gone down from #1009 to #899 per person. Where two children can share a standard room, the cost is #449 for each child. Flights depart from Gatwick. For more details of Tropical Places' special offers call 01342 825123.