Check-in: Deals and breaks in Ireland and abroad

LAKESIDE SANCTUARIES

Finn Lough, Co Fermanagh: Waterside cottages, lakeside lodges and enchanting bubble domes (below) make Finn Lough a wonderland. Fish, kayak, swim and cycle your way around the Enniskillen resort from €264. finnlough.com

The Lakes by Yoo, The Cotswolds, England: Philippe Starck, Kate Moss and Jade Jagger lent their creative brains to the design of these luxury lakeside boltholes on Warren's Cross Lake. Balm out with a Bamford treatment or get busy with fishing lessons. Rentals from €1,443 for two nights. thelakesbyyoo.com

Grand Hotel Tremezzo, Lake Como, Italy: What lakeside guide would be complete without the Grand Hotel Tremezzo, a 100-year old icon with panoramic views? Book a lake view prestige room from €467. grandhoteltremezzo.com

NEWS

Time travelling For the year that's in it, Airbnb is highlighting Dublin's most historic areas. Channel Patrick Pearse with a stay on Great Brunswick Street (now Pearse Street) or get up close to the executions with a stay near Kilmainham Gaol. airbnb.com

Great heights Fancy getting a better view of the city? This year's Dublin Mountains Challenge hits the road on Sunday, May 29th, offering hiking enthusiasts a day of scenic sights from Tallaght to Shankill (above). Blaze a trail of 24 or 42 kilometres in aid of the Barretstown children's charity. Sign up at barretstown.org.

Leaving footprints Have you ever thought about the environmental impact of your holidays? Dutch travel firms are to start informing jetsetters just how much damage their trip is doing by listing "holiday footprints" in brochures and on websites. Expect the rest of the world to follow suit sooner rather than later.

DEALS

NEWFOUNDLAND: The shortest transatlantic flight from Ireland, with Westjet flights, can take you to three nights at a four-star hotel in St John's, from €585 per person sharing in May. See sunway.ie or call 01-2311800. BUDAPEST: Save or splurge with expedia.ie, choosing a bank-holiday weekend at Hotel Bastion from €350pps or Corinthia Hotel from €558pps.

CAVAN: Explore Ireland's lakeland, staying in a restored Landmark Trust farmhouse near Bailieborough. Three nights for four people costs from €562, and dogs are welcome. See irishlandmark.com or call 01-6704733.

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