Go last minute

From painting holidays in Tuscany to family specials in Dungarvan, Joan Scales has the best of the week’s offers

From painting holidays in Tuscany to family specials in Dungarvan, Joan Scaleshas the best of the week's offers

DEAL OF THE WEEK

Week’s walk in Slovenia: €399pps

Kranjska Gora in the Julian Alps, Slovenia is ideal for a walking holiday and Inghams has cut the cost of a week there to €399pps half board for dates in July, August and September. The Hotel Lek also provides a packed lunch and a free weekly hiking tour. Tel: 01-6611377 or inghams.ie.

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HOME DEALS

Wicklow B&B: from €25pps

Walkers in Wicklow will love the new Skylarks Rest which opened in Roundwood recently and is providing quality budget accommodation from €25pps with Continental breakfast. It also has rooms that sleep up to four. Tel: 087-0910342 or skylarksrest.com.

Burlo cabaret: from €49

Dinner cabaret returns to the Burlington Hotel this summer with the new show Celtic Rising by composer Eanan Patterson. Tickets with dinner are €49 and B&B is €95pps. Tel: 01- 6185600 or burlingtonhotel.ie.

Water ski, B&B: from €159pps

Learn to water ski or wakeboard when you stay in the Castle Hotel, Macroom, Co Cork. During the summer the hotel has linked up with the Carrig Water Ski Centre to provide coaching and equipment. A two-night stay with dinner one evening starts at €159pps. Tel: 0818-281281 or see irishcountryhotels.com.

Bangor for two nights: from €110

Bring a rug and a picnic for an evening of outdoor classical music at Mount Stewart House and Gardens on July 25th. Stay over in the Clandeboye Lodge in Bangor for two nights and one dinner from £90pps (about €110). Tel: 1850 230230 or discovernorthernireland.com.

Westin in Dublin: from €115pps

Enjoy the luxury of a five-star hotel with afternoon tea and a glass of Valdo Prosecco Rosé from €115pps, at the Westin Hotel, Dublin until August 31st. Tel: 01-6451129.

Dungarvan week: from €600

The Park Hotel, Dungarvan has 15 lovely self-catering homes in landscaped grounds around the hotel. During July a week will cost from €600 per house with access to the kids club from 5.30-9pm each evening. Details from: 058-42899.

OVERSEAS DEALS

Paint in Tuscany: from €870

Trudi Doyle has a few places left on her painting holiday in Tuscany from August 18-25th. The price of €870 (no single supplement) includes half board at La Pia Hotel in Montecatini, tuition and guided trips to Florence and the Uffizi Gallery. Tel: 059-9156299 or email trudiart@eircom.net.

Northern Lights: from €799pps

Book now for trips to see the Northern Lights in January and February 2011. Four-night trips from Dublin flying with SAS to Tromsø, Norway include accommodation and a guided excursion to see the lights at the Tromsø Wilderness Centre from €799pps. Details: Rory McDyer Travel at 01-8335100 or rorymcdyertravel.ie.

London fest offer: from €85pps

Enjoy some of London’s festivals and a stay in the K-West Hotel in Kensington. The festival package costs £70pps (about €85) and includes B&B, two beers, rain poncho, wet wipes and sun cream. Details from k-west.co.uk.

Please bear in mind that all details are subject to availability