From a cruise in the Persian Gulf to Italian cookery at Bellinter House, JOAN SCALEShas the best of the week's offers...
Deal of the week
Fly free to ski: from €1,085pps
Take to the pistes this Christmas with family or friends and Highlife will fly you free from Ireland to stay in one of its chalets in Morzine, Méribel or Val d'Isère between December 20th and 27th. Starting at €1,085 for adults and €882 for under-12s, the prices also include transfers, food and wine, plus a complimentary bar. Ski guiding will also be available - great if you can already ski and want to make the most of your week. 01-6771100, highlife.ie.
Overseas deals
Gulf cruise: from €1,358
Royal Caribbean's Brilliance of the Seas will be cruising around the Persian Gulf for nine nights in January. It will pick up in Dubai, then visit Abu Dhabi, Muscat, Fujairah and Bahrain. Prices, which start at €1,358pps, include flights from Dublin. 01-8173558, cruiseholidays.ie.
Mykonos 5-star week: €900 for 2
You should catch some of the last of the summer's sunshine on the Greek island of Mykonos between now and October 20th, staying at the five-star Grace hotel, which was on the Condé Nast Hot List last year. Seven nights for the price of five costs €900 for a couple. gracehotelsgroup.com.
Tunisian sun: from €569
You should also find some sunshine in Tunisia next month. Sunway has half-board packages from Dublin, staying at the El Mouradi Palace, from €569, or all-inclusive at the Palm Marina hotel from €699. 01-2311888, sunway.ie.
African safari: from €1,650
As spring is coming to the southern hemisphere, it could be time to think about exploring southern Africa. You could go on safari in Malawi and Zambia for two weeks from November 3rd from £1,499 (about €1,650) or see Western Cape in its spring glory and spot whales on a 13-day trip to South Africa from £1,521 (about €1,675). 01-6795700, explore.co.uk.
Ski with free lessons: €767
Learn to ski free in the weeks beginning January 16th or March 20th next year, at one of 12 resorts in Austria, Andorra, France and Switzerland. Prices from €767 half-board, a saving of up to €245. 1850-929021, inghams.ie.
Home deals
Donegal painting break: €490
The colours of the Blue Stack Mountains in autumn should inspire budding watercolourists on the painting holiday at Harvey's Point Hotel, in Co Donegal. Led by Dermot Kelly, the four-night break, from October 12th, costs €490 with tuition, dinner, breakfast and light lunch each day, plus a Wednesday-night cabaret.
No single supplement. 074- 9722208, harveyspoint.com.
Sligo DB&B: from €70pps
Take up a midweek-break offer at the Clarion Hotel in Sligo and you could visit Queen Maeve's cairn, walk the beach at Strandhill and have a drink at Ward's on Coney Island. One night costs €70pps with dinner; two nights costs €120pps. 071- 9119000, clarionhotelsligo.com.
Rocktober fest stay: €99pps
October will become Rocktober for Killarney's first Irish beer festival, from October 9th to 11th. Jerry Fish & the Mudbug Club and The Frank and Walters are among the bands playing at the INEC, which will be serving a range of international beers. Festival passes cost €20 per day or €30 for the weekend, or stay at the Gleneagle Hotel for the weekend for €99pps, including passes. 064-6671555, inec.ie.
Italian cookery: from €259pps
You can learn to cook Italian food with chef Lorenzo Polegri at Bellinter House, in Co Meath, next month. A Friday and Saturday night, with two evening meals and brunch on Sunday, costs from €299pps. The course is also available midweek from €259pps. 046-9030900, bellinterhouse.com.
Girls' nights in: from €205pps
Round up the girls for a weekend at Lyrath Estate, in Kilkenny. The two-night break includes afternoon tea and an oriental dinner one evening, plus a movie in its private screening room, with popcorn and champagne, as well as a session in the thermal suite at the Oasis Spa. From €205pps. 056-7760088, www.lyrath.com.
Please bear in mind that all deals are subject to availability.