With the bad weather, the foot-and-mouth crisis and a possible election on the way, perhaps it's time to leave the country.

Why not click on a holiday?

There are plenty of bargains on the World Wide Web and just about all the major travel companies offer online services these days.

Travel agents report that a huge number of people use the Internet to research holidays and compare prices and deals even if they don't actually purchase online.

But if it's a bargain that you're after and you've got no fixed plans why not have a look at what's up for auction.

At www.fsauctions.co.uk everything from package holidays to caravan tours is going under the hammer. All the bidding starts at £1 so you could net a bargain.

If the destination is not so important to you, why not try putting in just the dates in a search at the online flight agency www.flightlineinternational.com which has plenty of cheap one-way tickets.

The company which Bob Geldolf sold for millions this week is also offering cheap flights and claims to have more available flights online on one screen than any other website. Check it out at www.deck chair.com.

And don't forget to check out the latest deals from The Northern Echo's online holiday shop www.northernechoholidays.co.uk.

At the moment the bargain breaks on offer include a day break to Rome from £159, seven days in Croatia from £349 or the Algarve from £359.

You can check out the self-catering cottages in France at www.countrycottagesinfrance.co.uk or the villas hotels and other packages in Italy at www.crystalitaly.com.

Published: Thursday, March 29