Forget the brochures. Whether you're tying the knot or just unknotting your tie, Alison Kerr has dug deep to find holidays which go without a hitch

ACCORDING to a survey in the magazine You and Your Wedding, the trend for getting married abroad is on the up. More and more couples are sneaking off to the sun to have their wedding ceremonies in a more exotic location.

The five-star Serena Beach Hotel in Mombasa has a vast amount of experience in hosting foreigners' weddings, and offers a wedding package for $650 (#428) per person.

This package includes the wedding cake, wine, flowers, the attendance of the Registrar and the Commissioner of Oaths, the licence, the certificate, the decoration of the wedding venue, a witness if required, and a surprise breakfast on the beach the day after the ceremony.

At an additional cost, the Serena Beach staff will organise such other requirements as a photographer, a video cameraman, a guitarist and even local dancers.

The hotel recently introduced a ``honeymoon within a honeymoon'' safari as part of its wedding package. The two-day honeymoon safari to the Maasai Mara game reserve includes accommodation at the Mara Serena Lodge which is situated within the Mara Triangle, an area bordering Tanzania, the Mara River and the Rift Valley. Since the lodge is the only property in the Mara Triangle, guests have the pleasure of game viewing all to themselves.

The lodge also has a large swimming pool and its bar terrace overlooks a waterhole. The honeymoon safari includes return flights from Mombasa to Mara, full-board accommodation at the Mara Serena Lodge, four game drives and transfers to and from the lodge.

The Serena Beach Hotel is set in tropical gardens which border a white sand and coral beach on the Indian Ocean. The hotel has two state suites, six VIP suites, four floodlit tennis courts, two air-conditioned squash courts, mini golf and a watersports centre at which guests can enjoy complimentary windsurfing and sailing.

One week at the hotel - including the two-day safari - in low season, ranges from $864 (#569) in a ``Village'' room to $1022 (#673) in a suite. Rates are per person based on two sharing a room on a half-board basis at the Serena Beach Hotel and full board while on safari. Reservations for the Serena Beach Hotel can be made through Leading Hotels of the World on 0800 181123 or direct through Serena Lodges & Hotels Reservations Office on 00 2542 711077.

n SUMMER in Paris may not have the same ring as April in Paris, but it does your wallet more favours. Bargains are available in many of the Paris packages, and individual hotels are also offering good deals. The Libertel chain has just announced a special summer rate which is available at 27 of its two and three star Paris hotels, until September 1.

With the summer rate, prices vary from 300FF to 750FF (including VAT and City tax) per room per night, with no minimum stay applying. Guests booking a three-night stay, however, can have a fourth night free of charge.

Libertel's hotels are highly individual, and vary in style and ambience from the intimate charms of the 25-room Libertel Montparnasse to the 239-room Libertel Terminus Nord. Each hotel belongs in one of three categories: Libertel Grande Tradition, Libetel Tradition and Libertel. To make a reservation call Freephone 0800 895 950 or 0990 300 200.

n STILL en France . . . Lupus Travel is offering Francophiles the chance to explore a region they might not know at a bargain price.

The package includes return fights from London to Toulouse, one week's accommodation at a restored French manor house called the Domaine de Labrihe in Gers and car hire with CDW and unlimited mileage. Until August 24, this self-catering package costs #367.

The accommodation comprises two bedrooms, two bathrooms and a sitting room with an open fireplace. There is also a large swimming pool, tennis court, and facilities for boules, badminton, table tennis and barbecue. The offer is based on four people sharing accommodation. ``Accommodation only'' is also available and Lupus Travel can arrange ferry or Shuttle crossings. For full details call Lupus Travel on 01892 533 030.

n SOMAK Holidays have reduced the price of a seven-night stay at the New Emilio Hotel in Luxor, Egypt, from #302 to #199. The offer applies to all departures in August and the price includes bed and breakfast accommodation and flights. The hotel has a restaurant, a bar, a roof-top swimming pool and air-conditioned rooms. For more information call Somak Holidays on 0181 423 3000.

n THE more adventurous among you may be interested in Explore Worldwide's 16-day ``Fairest Isle Tour'' which sails down Jamaica's longest river to see bird life and crocodiles. You can also paddle through rainforests on a bamboo raft, go hiking in the Blue Mountains or visit a huge underground cavern. The tour departs on August 17 and the price - #1195 (reduced from #1295) - includes flights, bed and breakfast accommodation, some meals and all travel. Call Explore Worldwide on 01252 319448.

n ANYONE planning to visit Canada over the next month or so should check out the prices on offer from the Air Travel Advisory Bureau: return flights from Glasgow to Toronto on August 3 cost #319, and on August 12 they cost #299. Return airfares from Edinburgh to Toronto on August 8 cost #319. All tickets are valid for up to eight weeks, and one-way fares cost from #149. Tax costs #25 for return flights and #10 for one-way. For further details about these and other flights call ATAB on 0171 636 5000 or 0161 832 2000.

n TRAVEL Warehouse has special summer reductions on flights to Geneva, Amsterdam and Zurich. Throughout the summer, return flights on Swissair from London to Geneva and Zurich cost #88. In July, August and September return flights with Transavia from Gatwick to Amsterdam cost #82. And throughout the year, Edelweiss Air's return flights to Zurich cost #79. For full details and to make reservations call Travel Warehouse on 0171 414 8808.

n THE bargain bonanza continues: USAirtours are offering major incentives for people booking fly-drive holidays to the USA. Until September 30, any two people booking a minimum two-week fly-drive holiday to the States with USAirtours which includes a compact or a large car, will receive a traveller's cheque to the value of $100 to spend on holiday. USAirtours' competitive compact car hire is through Alamo Rent a Car and is fully inclusive of all insurances and taxes. Hire charges start at #177 per person for two weeks. For more details call 0800 777 333.

n COLOR Line is offering one-week chalet holidays in Norway in August from #183 per person - based on four people sharing a chalet in Aseral. The price also includes return North Sea crossings from Newcastle to Bergen with a car, ferry crossings within Norway where required, a Texaco discount petrol card and a Duty Free discount voucher.

The Aseral Chalet complex lies in a beautiful secluded mountain area of southern Norway. Among the activities available are fishing, guided walks, mountaineering, rafting, canoeing and beaver and elk safaris. For further information call Color Line on 0191 296 1313.

n RAINBOW Holidays is offering an 11-day fly-drive holiday to Australia for #999 per person. The price is based on two people sharing a twin room and car, and includes eight nights' accommodation, eight days' rental of a Thrifty car, and economy class return flights from London Heathrow. UK and Australian departure taxes are also included. Departures are between September 21 and November 30. For further information or to make reservations call 01904 628080.