One question I am often asked is where to go on holidays if you are alone, and who has the cheapest options. For many years single travellers have been penalised by very high single supplements. Help is on the way though with the establishment of "Liaisons" singles holidays by K Travel of Dundrum (01 296 0333). Ernie Mooney of K Travel is quick to dismiss the notion that Liaisons is a matchmaking or lonely hearts club: "It has been established simply for independent and unaccompanied travellers in such a way that they can enjoy themselves and get as much out of a holiday without feeling alone." Programmes are planned for October and November and will cost £419 and £349. In addition, plans for the winter season will include weekend breaks, short and long stay holidays, and theme breaks.
Among the best known end of season sales is O'Meara Camping. If you are planning on a camping holiday next year or upgrading this year's model then now is the time to buy. Their new showrooms are on Bridgefoot Street, off Thomas Street, Dublin (01 670 8639) and are open seven days a week. Special offers include canvas ridge tents reduced from £149 to £79. Trade-ins are also available, if you want to part-exchange your old tent for a new one. Other items stocked by O'Meara's include outdoor clothing, roofboxes, gazebos and cooking equipment. There is also a repair service for tents, sleeping bags and rucksacks. There is a branch at Tipperary Road, Limerick at 061 326233.
One of the best tours I have come across this summer is the North Antrim Coast tour. The one-day tour takes in five of the most famous attractions in Northern Ireland - Carrick A Rede Rope Brige, Ireland's smallest church, the Giants Causeway, Dunluce Castle and Bushmills Distillery. The tour leaves from Belfast International Youth Hostel, 22 Donegall Road, Belfast at 9.30 a.m. daily and arrives back at approximately 5.30 p.m., it costs £19.50 and includes admission to all attractions.
Imagine a gastronomic tour of Brittany, Normandy, Picardy Flanders, Burgundy, the Auvergne, Languedoc, Gascony and many more French provinces in Churchfield country house is situated in some of the most beautiful countryside in Ireland at Lispole in Co Kerry, close to Dingle and Killarney. The theme of Churchfield is to offer dishes which represent the French regions using the finest products of west Kerry. Joelle Kerihuel is a Breton who has spent much of her life in the Loire. Prices for a one-night stay at Churchfield, which includes bed, breakfast and one meal, lunch or dinner are from £34 per person. (066 51843).
If you are planning to go to this winter and have not made a booking yet then Trailfinders (01 677 7888) have a special offer that may interest you. The lead in price of £879 includes seven days car hire with Avis. Flights are with Singapore Airlines. The offer is valid from Dublin, Cork and Shannon for departures in November and between January 21st and March 31st.
- Compiled by Joan Scales
