Enjoy the New Year with a two for the price of one, and other low-cost trips to Amsterdam in January, February and March.

First of all, Happy New Year! to all our readers. May this year be the one we finally recover from the gloom of economic bad news.

Even in these straightened times, there are deals out there offering huge value for money. One kind of short break we have always enthused about is the mini-cruise break. They are much more relaxing than going near an airport and if you live within easy travelling distance of a ferry port you can get a few days away with the minimum of fuss and expense.

Always a winner is the two-for-one deal often pushed by DFDS Seaways from Newcastle to Amsterdam currently being offered on selected dates between January and March from £79pp, and the Harwich to Esbjerg mini-cruise currently on sale at £89pp. You get a cabin there and back plus loads of time to relax. The food on board is excellent, and you get plenty of opportunity to look around at the destination.

If you really need to have two whole days in Amsterdam, try using the Lastminute.com late deal price grid which enables you to find the lowest priced deals for the approximate dates you need. If you are prepared to be flexible you could probably take advantage of two-night deal from as little as £113pp at the time of writing.

Amsterdam Guide.