How about this for the change of seasons, a traditional inn with open turf fires, good country cooking set on its own golf course next to a river.
Just the job for a weekend away! Close to the Giants Causeway and the Glens of Antrim for sightseeing, or just to snuggle up in front of that fire with a good book, the Brown Trout Inn at Agahdowey, near Coleraine, has a special offer, punts for pounds, a two-day break including one dinner is £60, while a three-day break costs £90. Phone 1850 230 230 or 080 1265 868 209.
Home from Home Holidays have a selection of self-catering accommodation in some of the best locations on the island of Ireland.
The range of luxury holiday homes, cottages and apartments are mostly in the south west, Kinsale, Clonakilty, Baltimore, Goleen, Whiddy Island, Aghadoe, Dingle, Tralee and also in Banagher, Enniscrone, Ballycastle, Clifden, Rosslare and Westport. Prices for the winter are from £110 per week and from £75 for two nights. Mid-week stays are also available.
Unusually, some of the houses accommodate up to eight people, which can make for a fun weekend away. Telphone 023 33110 or e-mail on home.from.home@wct.ie.
If you would enjoy a winter break a bit further from home, then Irish Ferries's brochure has a good selection of ideas in Britain.
The illuminations at Blackpool have always attracted Irish visitors and, now with one of the biggest roller coasters in Britain, the town could attract more.
The electrical extravaganza costs from £84 per person for two nights. They also have shopping trips to Liverpool and Chester from £64, or a go-asyou-please holiday staying in Consort Hotels from £88 per person.
More details from Irish Ferries on 01 6610533 or 021 551995, e-mail info@irishferries.ie.
Even further away from home and where you are guaranteed sunshine is Egypt. The Michael Stein programme to Egypt will continue during the winter with holidays from £527 for seven nights bed and breakfast in Luxor, one of the most exciting places to visit.
See Karnak at night and during the day, have a cocktail at the famed Winter Palace Hotel (you can stay there for £929) or take a horse-drawn caleche to the Valley of the Kings.
During the winter they will also have a number of fully escorted tours with no single supplement from £999. (01 475 5401).
When I was in school, the annual tour was a trip to Cork, Limerick, or Bundoran and, if we were lucky, we went by train. Now it seems you must have a school trip abroad and with prices in the Abbey School and Group Tour brochure I want to gather my 25 best friends and go party in Vienna, Athens, Berlin, Paris, or Brussels, or even be a nordic explorer.
Joking aside, if you are a group - whether education, social or business - then travelling can be brought into the realms of reality. Prices in this brochure are well below what you would pay to travel alone, or as a pair, and also include many tours to some of Europe's favourite places. (01 668 7899).
