Great Escapes: Free skis and boots and 50% off liftpasses for your ski trip

Book early for free skis and boots in France and Andorra
Ski season is coming up and the best deals are booked in advance. Directski will be offering free ski and boot hire in Meribel in France and half price lift passes in Arinsal in Andorra on trips booked for departure on January 13th. Deposits are €150. Prices for Arinsal start from €499 per person on a B&B basis in a 3-star hotel. Meribel from €365pps self-catering, based on four sharing. Chamonix from €524pps, based on two sharing in a self-catering apartment. See directski.com, 01-254 6300.

Three nights in Tallinn with flights from €339
Explore the medieval history and architecture of the Old Town of Tallinn in Estonia. A three night trip will allow time to see the Toompea Castle, the Dome church and Aledander Nevsky Cathedral and the old Town Hall. There is also an option of visiting Helsinki for a day trip from €50. Direct flights from Dublin with three nights hotel accommodation from €339, based on two sharing, citiescapes.ie, (01) 2941000.

Ghouls and fairies in Limerick
Hallowe'en is coming and with it lots of great places to stay around the country. At the Radisson Blu in Limerick, each child will receive a Global Explorers' pack with ghoulish games and dress up props. Children can hang out in the Base Camp and paint pumpkins, play games, enjoy spooky story-telling and explore the fairy homes in the woodlands. Hallowe'en package is from €185 per night for two adults and two children B&B with buffet dinner, or €350 for two nights, free kids club and entry to a local attraction, from October 27th to November 5th, radissonblu.com/en/hotel-limerick, 061-456200.

Autumn flights with Aer Lingus from €22.99 each way to Paris
Aer Lingus flights to Europe for the autumn/winter have been reduced. Paris from €29.99, Lisbon from €34.99, Milan from €34.99 and Bilbao from €49.99, aerlingus.com.

Sheela na Gigs: where to find them in Ireland and abroad

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A walk for the weekend: Under bare Benbulbin’s spell

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A walk for the weekend: A glorious trail on easy terrain and quiet by-roads

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Luxury in the Canaries for Christmas
The Canaries for Christmas with Classic Collection includes a week in the Elba Carlota Hotel, in Fuerteventura, half-board from €1,265pps, travelling on December 22nd. Or the Hotel San Augustin in Gran Canaria for New Year departing on December 28th, half board from €1,265pps. Classic Collection holidays always include complimentary access to the executive lounges at Dublin, Cork and Shannon and private transfers, classic-collection.ie and 01-5413000.

A week in Turkey for €364pps
The sun is till shining in Turkey in October, though the evenings will be cool. Stay a week in Izmir in Kusadasi in the Golden Day Wings four-star hotel, B&B from €364pps, sunway.ie, 01-2311833.