From yoga on the beach in St Lucia to an Arctic cruise, Joan Scaleshas the week's best offers
DEAL OF THE WEEK
Four exotic honeymoon options: from €899pps
Even though times are tough, newlyweds can still aim for a honeymoon to remember. Tour America and Tour Africa have put together a series of romantic-sounding packages: a fly-drive holiday to California with 11 nights' accommodation, car hire and flights from €899pps; Las Vegas and Cancún, in Mexico, for 10 days from €969pps; seven nights in Orlando, Florida, followed by a four-day Bahamas cruise from €959pps; or the wine lands of South Africa (pictured) and Cape Town, for eight nights, from €929pps. www.touramerica.ie and www.tourafrica.ie, 01-8173535.
HOME DEALS
Tasty west Cork: from €189
The West Cork Hotel, in Skibbereen, has some great deals for the Taste of West Cork Food Festival, which runs from September 14th to 19th. Banquet night, on September 17th, includes dinner in the Church Restaurant, entertainment and overnight accommodation for €189 for two. Brian Kennedy is playing on September 18th at Abbeystrewery Church; the deal, which includes concert tickets, dinner and accommodation for two nights, costs €189pps. www.westcorkhotel.com, 028-21277.
Barn stays: from €550
Midland Glenboy Country Accommodation is a restored stone barn on the outskirts of Oldcastle, on the Cavan-Meath border, that could be ideal for exploring the north midlands. Next month a week’s self-catering in the four-bedroom house – all of the bedrooms are ensuite – costs from €550. One of the bedrooms is wheelchair accessible. www.glenboy countryaccommodation.com.
Sing out Belfast: from €156
Go to Belfast for X Factortraining at the Europa Hotel. Become a diva overnight with a stay that includes voice training from a vocal coach and a karaoke machine in your room, to practise to. After some champagne, there's also a limo to whisk you and your friend from trendy club to cool bar. From £135pps (€156pps). www.hastinghotels.com, 048-90271066.
It’s 1969 again: from €69pps
Take a trip down memory lane at the Twelve Hotel, in Barna, Co Galway, where it’s 1969 again. Its €69pps summer retro package includes bed and breakfast, a Tricky Dickey Oyster shooter and a selection of 1969 videos and DVDs to enjoy in your room. Anyone born in 1969 gets a free upgrade to a suite. www.thetwelvehotel.ie, 091-597000.
Gourmet Gregans: €449
The €449 gourmet break at Gregans Castle Hotel, in Co Clare, mentioned last week is in fact for two nights, not three. But it does have a good-value three-night option, too. For the same price, the Slow Down Luxury Break includes a six-course dinner on two nights rather than the gourmet break’s nine-course dinner. www.gregans.ie, 065-7077005.
OVERSEAS DEALS
Wine in Mainz: from €88pps
The Mainzer Weinmarkt Festival takes place in Mainz, the capital of Germany’s wine-growing region, next weekend, from Thursday to Sunday, and from September 3rd to 6th, with dozens of wine stands, music and food. A one-night stay with a guided tour, three wine tastings and a public transport card costs from €88pps. 00-49-6131-286210, www.tourist.mainz.de.
Winter cruise: from €1,742
Explore Central America next February on a winter cruise with the Fred Olsen line. The 14-night cruise will include visits to Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala and the Caribbean islands of Aruba, Curaçao and Barbados. The deal even includes a direct flight from Dublin to Costa Rica, where you stay for two nights before setting sail. From €1,742. www.fredolsencruises.co.uk, 01-2482833.
Antarctic cruise: from €4,750
Follow in the footsteps of Shackleton on an Antarctic cruise on Hurtigruten’s ship Fram. A 20-day voyage from Ushuaia to Antarctica, via the Falklands and South Georgia, costs from £4,087pps (€4,750pps). www.hurtigruten. co.uk, 01-6074420.
Solo in St Lucia: from €1,765
An all-inclusive week in the Body Holiday at Le Sport Resort, St Lucia, sounds like the perfect Caribbean holiday for lone travellers. It includes extras such as a daily body treatment, yoga and water sports. The trip, on September 6th, 13th, 20th and 27th, costs from £1,521pp (€1,765pp), including flights from London Gatwick. 048-94462211, www.friendshiptravel.com.
Dubai deals: from €475
Dubai is feeling the pressure in the tourism stakes, so now could be a great time to get a good deal. Club Travel has flights with Air France via Paris from €475, including taxes, and many four-star hotels have rooms for less than €100 per night. 01-4350089, www.clubtravel.ie.
Lake Garda: from €499pps
Late-season offers from Topflight to Italy include a week at the Ambassador Hotel in Riva, on Lake Garda, from €439pps, or Hotel Residence Bellavista from €499pps. www.topflight.ie, 01-2401700.
Camping deals: from €30
The French Holiday Centre has September offers in Italy for mobile-home holidays in campsites near Rome, Pisa and Lake Garda from €30 per night. 021-4272527, www.frenchholidaycentre.ie.
Please bear in mind that all deals are subject to availability