Deal of the Week:Early summer specials from Direct Holidays: two adults and two kids all-in to Fuengirola, Spain from €2,079 on June 18th; self-catering stay in Gran Canaria on June 25th from €1,359; or a week in Fuerteventura from €1,195. Tel: 0818- 200105 or directholidays.ie.
Away
* LET TUSCANY inspire you on an art holiday with Trudi Doyle. Taking place from August 24th to 31st, the week also includes half-board accommodation at La Pia Hotel, Montecatini, three days outdoor tuition, transport, guided trips to Florence and the Uffizi Gallery. The price is €875 per person, airfares extra. The nearest airport is Pisa and Ryanair fly there. Tel: 059- 9156299 or e-mail trudiart@eircom.net.
* THE BRITISH Airways seat sale runs till June 21st with up to 30 per cent off first class and premium seats. Fares from Ireland to Cape Town cost from €2,254, Bermuda from €1,873 and New York from €1,737. See ba.com or wetravel2.com to combine flights with luxury accommodation.
* THE BERLIN Beer Festival is on from August 5th to 7th. It’s a three-day party with over 2,000 beers showcased, and lots of live music and fun in the Mitte district. Flights from Dublin with two nights in a Top Secret hotel from €275pps. See lastminute.com.
* DISCOVER BRAZIL with Beacon South America from September 1st to December 10th when you can spend a week between Rio de Janeiro and the beach resort of Buzios from €1,680, including flights and accommodation. Tel: 0818- 300123 or see beaconsouthamerica.com.
Home
* CLODAGH McKENNA will host a cooking class at Aghadoe Heights Hotel on June 25th. The class costs €65, including a copy of her new book and you can overnight with breakfast for €155pps. Tel: 064-6631766 or aghadoeheights.com.
* STAY IN a baronial room at Kinnitty Castle in Co Offaly with dinner one evening in the Sli Dala restaurant, and have a complementary pint of Guinness in the library from €145pps (kinnittycastle.com).
* STAY AT the Strand Hotel in Limerick and it will include a €3 quickpick Lotto ticket with two-night packages until the end of August. The package, from €119pps, includes BB and dinner one evening in the River Restaurant. See strandhotellimerick.com.
* FATHER’S DAY is on June 19th so treat him to an overnight in the Park Hotel, Dungarvan including dinner for €70pps. Add a round of golf for €25 (flynnhotels.com).
* OR TAKE himself to the luxury Lough Erne Resort in Fermanagh for a father and son treat where there is also a championship golf course. The overnight package on Father’s Day includes lunch, a round of golf, use of the thermal suite and is £209pps (€236). Tel: 048-66323230 or lougherneresort.com.
* IN DONEGAL Harvey’s Point Hotel’s summer cabaret returns on June 29th. The dinner cabaret features local and international artists and costs €59. Or stay overnight from €139pps. Tel: 074-9722208, harveyspoint.ie.
* DISCOVER SOME Irish heritage like the Rock of Cashel, Cahir Castle and Swiss Cottage on a visit to the Hotel Minella in Cahir. Three nights BB for the family, children’s welcome pack and coffee and cakes for the adults is from €350. Tel: 01-2958900 or manorhousehotels.com.
* Please note all deals are subject to availability