Watch the Highland Games in Antrim or fly to Hong Kong at a reasonable rate - Joan Scaleshas this week's hot offers
DEAL OF THE WEEK:
Five-star two-night breaks in Donegal from €280
Bertie Ahern did the honours on Thursday when he officially opened the Solis Lough Eske Castle Hotel in Donegal, the first five-star in the county. The hotel has a summer rate of two nights' bed and breakfast, with dinner in the Cedars restaurant one evening, and €30 credit towards a spa treatment, for a total of €280 for two midweek nights and €410 at weekends. www.solislougheskecastle.ie and 074-9725100.
HOME BREAKS
Galway getaway: from €205
The House Hotel in Galway is just a step away from Quay Street and boasts luxurious bedrooms, quirky knick-knacks and a homely sitting room. A two-night package includes chocolate strawberries, dinner on one night, a glass of bubbly and complimentary movies. Prices from €205 per person midweek and €270 at weekends. 091-538900, www.thehousehotel.ie.
Tannery tempts: from €100
The Tannery Restaurant and Townhouse in Dungarvan, Co Waterford is a food lover's escape. Paul Flynn cooks modern Irish food with a continental twist using seasonal and local produce. During July and August they have some special offers midweek. From Sunday to Thursday, stay for a night and have breakfast and dinner and a voucher for 10 per cent off the cookery school classes for €100 per person, or stay for two nights for €200 per person. 058-45420, www.tannery.ie.
Highland fling: from €94
Glenarm Castle, Co Antrim is hosting the Glenarm Highland Games on July 14th and 15th, and you will get a real flavour of Scottish and Irish music, dancing, piping and competition. Top athletes will battle it out by tossing the caber and shearing sheep. Family camping sites at the castle are £75 (approximately €94) including a two-day pass for the games. 00-44-28-28841203, www.glenarmcastle.com.
Three Adare nights: €250pps
Doing anything from July 27th? If not, the Dunraven Arms Hotel in Adare, Co Limerick has a deal of one night bed, breakfast and dinner free, when you book a three-night package. The price is from €250 per person sharing, with children's prices also available. 061-605900, www.dunravenhotel.com.
Family deals in Killarney
The Gleneagle Hotel in Killarney has a summer family package that includes entry to the cabaret show for the adults and access to the Eagle's club activities for the children. A two-night stay will cost €179 per adult and €60 per child sharing a parent's room, with dinner on one night. 064-36000, www.gleneaglehotel.com.
Med cruise: from €949 pps
Cruise the Mediterranean on Royal Caribbean's Brilliance of the Seas in October from €949 per person sharing. The ship picks up in Barcelona and visits Cannes, Florence, Naples, Venice, Croatia, Tunisia and back to Barcelona. 01-8173558, www.cruiseholidays.ie.
A week in the Pyrenees: €1,395
Explore the Pyrenees from the Atlantic to the Mediterranean in Autumn and discover not just the beautiful Spanish scenery but also five great Paradores, including two magical castles at Hondarribia and Cardona. A seven-night tour with Lorna Roberts begins on October 11th and costs from €1,395 including accommodation, tours and dinners on some nights. 095-23511, www.lornarobertsholidays.com.
A week in Miami: from €1,039
Trailfinders has six nights in Miami in the Mandarin Oriental Hotel from €1,039 including flights. Book by July 15th for travel in September. 01-8814994, www.trailfinders.ie.
Hong Kong flights: €686
British Airways has launched a summer sale with special offers of fares to LA from €528, Dubai from €493, Hong Kong from €686 and Barbados from €706. Dozens of other routes have also been reduced. Flights must be booked by July 15th for travel between August 22nd and December 14th and prices are return to Dublin and inclusive of taxes and charges. www.ba.com.
Nights of luxury in Edinburgh
Your butler awaits in the Howard Hotel in Edinburgh, a five-star boutique hotel in a Georgian house in the city centre. Until the end of July, if you book two nights, a third night is half price. Rates are £170 (approximately €214) per room per night, including breakfast and a bottle of wine on arrival. 00-44-131-5573500, www.thehoward.com.
Turkey deals: from €996
Sunworld Holidays has a few late deals for families in Turkey. A week for two adults and two children staying in the Oya apartments in Kusadasi is €1,316 from July 12th and a week in the Club Sidar Apartments in Alanya is available for €996 from July 13th. There is also some availability on July 13th, 27th and 31st. 01-8814333, www.sunworld.ie.
Visit Vienna: from €126 return
Return economy flights with Swiss from Dublin to Berlin are available from €122, Milan from €116, Nice from €126, Rome from €116 and Vienna from €126. All prices include taxes and charges, meal service and 20kg of baggage. www.swiss.com.
Greek beach club: €64 nightly
The newly refurbished Sani Beach Club in Halkidiki in Greece has opened after major refurbishment with bungalow-style rooms and suites designed for families. Nightly rates are €64 a room in a double bungalow. The first child in every family is free when sharing with parents. 00-30-2374099400, www.saniresort.gr.