SAGA, the Folkestone-based holiday company for the over 50s, is celebrating a special birthday. It is 10 years since it began its popular cruise operation when the Saga Rose left on her inaugural trip. Now with the Saga Ruby joining the Rose, and exciting future cruise plans in the pipeline, the company has launched its brochure for 2007 with up to 35 per cent discounts for early bookings. As well as the usual world cruises, there are a whole range of shorter itineraries, and a unique mystery cruise. For details of all the Saga cruise holidays ring free on 0800-056-5880 or log on to www.sagacruising.co.uk

SPECIALIST company Meon Villas (0870-850855) has moved into Western Cyprus' luxury Aphrodite Hill Resort for an expansion of this summer's villa programme on the island. With a championship golf course, tennis and health club, the resort is designed for people who want the freedom and privacy of self-catering with the benefit of luxury amenities. One week stays at an Aphrodite Hills villa start from £879 in July - around £220 each for mum, dad and two children - and is cheaper in September. Log on to href="http://www.meonvillas.co.uk" target="_blank">www.meonvillas.co.uk for more details.

TEN years after it first began, the popular Big Cat Diary series returns to the BBC on July 17 for a week in the life of the lions, leopards and cheetahs who live around Kenya's Masai Mara. Somak Holidays (020-8423-3000) offers a range of safari tours that provide a fascinating insight into the most famous of the country's 11 national parks. From the end of July to August 21, Somak's Thorn Tree Safari, which includes visits to Treetops, Lake Naivasha and the Masai Mara, costs £1,489 including flights, accommodation, meals and game drives. The trip can be combined with a beach resort stay at Mombasa or on the island of Zanzibar. For more details log on to www.somak.co.uk

ONE in six National Trust properties, from historic houses to glorious gardens, now offer visitors arriving without a car, a discount on their entry fee or a voucher for the tea shop. Jo Burgon, Head of Access and Recreation at the Trust, says, "When thinking about a visit to a National Trust property why not use a bike, bus, train, ferry or walk to enjoy a car-free day out. With 50 Trust properties offering a discount for visitors arriving without a car there is plenty of choice for a great day out." Properties offering discounts for car-free journeys include: Beningbrough Hall in Yorkshire, Greenway in Devon, Kedleston Hall in Derbyshire, Lanhydrock in Cornwall, Llanerchaeron in mid-Wales, Snowshill Manor in Gloucestershire, Speke Hall in Lancashire, Sunnycroft in Shropshire, Sutton Hoo in Suffolk, and Winkworth Arboretum in Surrey. More information at www.nationaltrust.org.uk/carfreedaysout . It's also worth visiting the individual property pages on the National Trust website for more information on how to get to them by foot, bike, bus, ferry or train.