ANY seasoned long-haul holidaymaker will tell you that, pound for pound, the further you travel, the less it costs.

But now an enterprising British tour operator has come up with a dazzling range of city break options to America that

offers even more remarkable Yankee doodle dollar savings.

Funway Holidays, the leading specialist to the States, has launched a programme, starting in October this year, that I predict could start a cross-Atlantic price war.

A three-night stay in Washington, for example, leads in at just £335 a head - a saving of £60 on the price of the same break last year.

Because it is linked to a giant America tour operator, the Bromley-based company claims it has the biggest choice of rooms in the world's gambling centre.

The company hasbeen quick to seize on Virgin's new non-stop scheduled service to the desert resort, and one-stop flights to other cities including New York, Houston and Chicago.

Managing director Stephen Hughes tells me, with some pride: "Every city break destination in our new programme is down in price on last year.

"We actually held the line on hotel rates and managed to get air fares closer to previous late availability levels."

Already he is boasting a 20 per cent increase in bookings to Funway's top cities - New York and Las Vegas - on last year.

There is also a great bonus because the breaks include free nights, free breakfast and, in some cases, free health club use.

I was impressed by the choice of hotels for travellers on a tight budget, or those who like their comforts and want to stay in style.

If you want to immerse yourself in razzmatazz, then the non-stop 24-hour-a-day Las Vegas has to be for you.

There is nowhere quite like it this side of Mars!

For example, where can you eat a blow-out breakfast for just 99 cents? Or, after a quick flutter in the scores of casinos, catch a late show headlining some of the world's top artistes at prices that won't break the bank?

Take a trip between January 1 and February 17 next year, for example, and a three-night stay at the Imperial Palace Hotel, at the heart of the legendary Strip, will cost £385 a head - with extra nights charged as just £17 a night.

Like all the company's city breaks, the trip includes a non-stop scheduled return flight from Gatwick on Virgin Atlantic's new daily service.

There are connecting services from Manchester, Birmingham and Glasgow, and low

cost, or free, connections from other regional airports.

If you're looking for something a little superior, a four-night break at Vegas's Circus Circus Hotel and Casino, between

February 18 and April 4, will cost you £425 - £28 a head for each extra night.

I was particularly taken with a four-night break to beautiful San Francisco, that delightful Californian city by the bay.

Here, you could stay at the well-located, family-owned Canterbury Hotel for three nights from January 1 to March 31 for £405 a head, including return flights, taxes, free shopping discount coupons and city map.

The city is famous for its seafood, and a visit to Fisherman's Wharf is an absolute must.

Share a cool, giant-sized fresh crab cocktail as the fishermen tend their nets close by.

Or you could visit Union Square, a shopper's heaven, with more than 100 speciality shops and designer outlet stores.

Sightseeing tours on all Funway Holiday city breaks - which also include Miami South Beach, New Orleans and Boston, can be booked before you depart.

For details and reservations telephone Funway Holidays on 020-84660222, or write to them at One Elmfield Park, Bromley, Kent BR1 1LU.