Feeling jaded at the prospect of another Christmas at home? Then why not opt for something completely different? Ken Bennett offers a tiny taste of what is available for a Yuletide break

PUT some sunshine in your stocking and treat yourself to a visit to Egypt with its glorious weather and breathtaking scenery.

For the best insight into modern and ancient Egypt, take my tip and board a Nile cruise from Luxor to Aswan.

From there you can join excursions to monuments and sacred temples along the way.

Tour operator Discover Egypt (020 7407 2111) promise a Christmas fiesta at the new five-star Premiere for £899 a head leaving on December 20.

The seven night break with London Gatwick return flights guarantees service fit for a Pharaoh including full board accommodation, gala dinner, entertainment, ten excursions with an Egyptologist, taxes and transfers.

Call them or click on: www.discoveregypt.co.uk

Alternatively, make a 17-day African safari of a lifetime offering the best of wildlife and scenery and several days on the exotic spice island of Zanzibar.

Departing on Christmas Eve, your journey includes visits to Nairobi and an opportunity to see a million flamingos and the endangered rhino and leopard.

You will enter Tanzania by Lake Victoria's beautiful shores and if the game proves elusive in Kenya its sure to be seen in the Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater, say specialist tour operator Exodus.

Priced at £1,675 a head, the trip could leave a large hole in your Christmas funds - but give you real memories of a lifetime.

It includes return fights, subject to availability, taxes, transfers, most meals and services of an experienced guide.

Call reservations, contact Exodus on 0870 240 5550 or visit: www.exodus.co.uk

Or soak up a 17-night transatlantic voyage to the Caribbean from just £999 a head with MSC Cruises.

Departing from Genoa on December 27, ports of call include Malaga, Funchal in Madeira, Grenada, Martinique, Antigua, St Maarten, Nassau and Port Everglades.

The price includes return flights from Genoa and from Port Everglades, taxes, transfers, full board accommodation and entertainment.

Call MSC on: 020 7637 2525 or log on: www.msccruises.com

And you could find that Christmas is a real beach - with a break in the sunshine state of Florida.

Florida Vacations are offering a real home from home with one of their three-bedroom detached properties costing £2,275 for the first week from December 15 and £2,145 for the second week.

The homes can accommodate up to eight people - making a Yuletide sunshine option really affordable.

And the tour operator organises flights and car hire too.

Call Florida Vacations on: 01582 469661 or check out their website: www.vacationsgroup.co.uk for apartment, boutique hotels and resorts throughout the state.

Waymark Holidays have a programme which promises that you won't just dream of a white Christmas - you'll live it!

Their special Christmas Trio includes cross-country skiing, walking and snowboarding and a chance to visit Innsbruck's famous Christmas market to collect a stack of presents.

The trip runs from December 19 to Boxing Day inclusive with seven-night half board accommodation - and Christmas dinner - return flights, transfers, equipment hire and a guide from just £625 a head, based on two sharing.

Call: 01753 516477.