Fancy a Christmas skiing break or a Dublin hotelbargain? Joan Scaleshas all the info
DEAL OF THE WEEK
Ski at Christmas this year with deals from Directski to Söll in Austria, departing on December 20th for a week, from €479 per person, based on four sharing an apartment. Or how about Christmas in Bulgaria, also from December 20th? A week in Pamporovo costs from €359 per person, based on four sharing. 1890-201205 and www.directski.com
HOME BREAKS
Live like a king from €149Barberstown Castle in Straffan, Co Kildare is a short trip from Dublin. It currently has a special overnight rate of €149 per person sharing, including a five-course dinner in the castle restaurant. 01-6288157, www.barberstowncastle.ie.
A capital night from €59Jurys Inns is offering rates of €59 per room in Dublin, at Christ Church, Custom House and Parnell Street. Book by November 16th for dates in November, December and January. www.jurysinns.com, 01-6075000.
Tax-free flights in CorkCork International Airport Hotel is picking up the tab for the €10 departure tax for guests travelling from Cork airport. When guests show their airline ticket, their room rates will be reduced by €10. 021-4549800, www.corkinternational airporthotel.com.
Food for thought in DungarvanPaul and Marie Flynn have opened the doors of the Tannery Cookery School in Dungarvan, Co Waterford, and have a great schedule of courses up to Christmas. Adjacent to the cookery school are seven luxurious bedrooms, ideal for those who have to travel for the courses. Half-day classes are from €65 and full-day courses from €195. Details from 058-45420 and www.tannery.ie.
Dublin nights for a tennerThe Louis Fitzgerald hotel is beside the Red Cow Luas Park and Ride. Until the end of January, it is selling some rooms each day at €10 per room per night. Book at www.louisfitzgeraldhotel.com using the promotion code Celebrate. It is also offering free transfers to Liffey Valley and Dundrum Shopping Centres when you book the shopping rate of €59 per person sharing including dinner. 01-4033300.
OVERSEAS BREAKS
Budapest break from €359Explore the Christmas markets in Budapest with Primera Tours. A three-night stay from December 4th to 9th is from €359 per person sharing, including flights, transfers, accommodation and a half-day sightseeing tour. Single supplement is €49. www.primeratours.ie and 01-6311077.
Caribbean cruise from €1,244A small number of places are still available for a Caribbean fly cruise with Fred Olsen Lines. The trip involves flying from Dublin to Miami and then cruising the western Caribbean islands.
It departs on November 27th and returns on December 11th, with prices from €1,244. The deal includes flights, transfers, port taxes, all meals, on-board entertainment and €100 credit for shopping. 01-2482833 and www.fredolsencruises.co.uk
Viva Las Vegas from €709You could do your Christmas shopping in Las Vegas this year, with a trip on December 4th for five nights, staying in the Circus Circus hotel, from €709 per person sharing.
The deals includes flights, accommodation and taxes. www.touramerica.ie, 01-8173535.
Weekend in Paris for €268The newest travel website to arrive on the market is Find a Break. You can search quickly for short breaks in many European cities.
A two-night trip to London with theatre tickets, flights and hotel is from €359 per person sharing, or a weekend in Paris is available from €268 per person sharing. 1800-844804, www.findabreak.ie.
Ski and sip from €1,449Combine a ski holiday with a passion for wine from January 25th, 2009, for a week in an Amelie chalet in Meribel, France.
Highlife will enhance your ski trip with wine-tastings, a visit to a vineyard and a series of blind tastings of wines from the Savoie region. Prices are from €1,449 per adult and includes flights, meals and the wine sessions. www.highlife.ie and 01-6771100.
Austrian slopes for €389Their are great ski offers from Dublin, Cork and Belfast in January and February, travelling to Chamonix in France from €349, Rauris in Austria from €389 and Sestriere in Italy from €399. www.foreignafares.ie and 021-4278999.
Please note, all offers are subject to availability