From dinner in New York City to skiing in France, Joan Scaleshas the best year-end offers
DEAL OF THE WEEK
Take a bargain bite out of the Big Apple
You've all been very good over Christmas, haven't you? Here's a little reward, then, for lovers of Manhattan who want to take advantage of cheap flights in January. The city's marketing organisation, NYC Company, is offering three-course prix-fixe lunches ($24.07/€17) and dinners ($35/€25) from January 18th to 23rd and 25th to 30th (excluding beverage, tax and gratuity) in 250 participating top restaurants (among those that took part last time was Tavern on the Green, above). Reservations are open to the public on January 5th at www.nycgo.com.
SKI BREAKS:
Week in Meribel: from €318
For €318 per person, Directski.com has a week's ski holiday in Meribel, France, departing on January 10th, with self-catering accommodation at the Residence Cybele, return Dublin flights and transfers, based on four sharing. www.directski.com or 1890-201205.
French break: from €1,049
Find your ski legs with Highlife from January 14th to 18th, staying in a chalet in Morzine or Meribel, with dinner on three nights, priced from €1,049 for adults and €929 for children, including flights to Geneva, transfers and ski guide. Details from www.highlife.ie and 01-6771100.
Bansko bargain: from €345
Bulgaria's lower cost of living means a seven-night bed and breakfast ski holiday for two costs from €345 per person. The trip departs Dublin on January 10th and includes accommodation in a snow hotel in Bansko, return flights and transfers. www.directski.com or 1890-201205.
HOME BREAKS:
Eco retreat: from €280
A rejuvenation weekend could be just what you need after the madness of Christmas and New Year. Ard Nahoo Eco Retreat, in Co Leitrim, is running a yoga, walking and relaxation retreat from February 6th to 8th. The price of €280 per person sharing includes accommodation in ecocabins, with great vegetarian food. www.ardnahoo.com and 071-9134939.
West Cork deal: from €115
The Celtic Ross Hotel in Rosscarbery, Co Cork, is offering a short-break deal for those aged 55 and over. Two nights' bed and breakfast and dinner one night costs €115 per person sharing. www.celticross.com, 1850-272737.
Shop and drop: from €99
The sales are on, and if you are coming to Dublin and want to stay for a few days, the Tallaght Cross Hotel has a good deal, with two nights' B&B for two for €99. The Luas Red Line stops outside the door and will whisk you into the city in 35 minutes. 01-4246400, www.tallaghtcrosshotel.ie.
OVERSEAS BREAKS:
Cruise bargains: from €255
Fred Olsen Cruise Lines has launched its Captain's Collection of worldwide cruises, with discounts for bookings made by February 28th, 2009. Prices are from €255 per person sharing. 01-2482833 or www.fredolsencruises.co.uk.
Austrian luxury: from €680
Hotel Hirschen Schwarzenberg, in the Vorarlberg region of Austria, is 60km from Friedrichshafen airport, which Ryanair flies to. Whether you ski or not, the hotel is a centre of luxury and comfort in the winter. You can stay for a week from January 7th to March 31st from £625 (about €680) per person sharing, including dinner, bed and breakfast, afternoon tea, a snowshoe tour and entry to a jazz concert. See www. hirschenschwarzenberg.at.
Discounts on cruises in Europe
Emerald Star Cruises is taking bookings for cruise holidays in France, England, Scotland, Italy, Germany, Belgium and Holland. Book by December 31st and receive a 10 per cent discount, an additional €75 off, and bookings only require a deposit of 10 per cent. www.emeraldstar.ie, 071-9627633.
Roman allure: from €345
Art lovers will adore the Cavalieri Hotel in Rome, with its museum-quality collection of more than 1,000 pieces of antique furniture, statues and paintings. Pride of place is its Tiepolo triptych. During January, the hotel has an advance-purchase room rate of €345 per night for two with breakfast (normal room rates are €520 per night). www.romecavalieri.com, 00-39-06-35092031.
Tee off in SA: from €1,199
South Africa is perfect for golfers, with a great variety of courses to play. Slatterys Travel is running a week-long package that includes playing six courses and staying in three different properties from €1,199 per person sharing. www.slatterys.com, 1890-200425.
Panama Canal: from €1,449
One of the wonders of the world is the Panama Canal, and the best way to see it is from the deck of a ship, preferably a very big one. Royal Caribbean's Jewel of the Sea will be passing through the canal in April, and E-travel has a special offer. A 14-night fly-cruise, including three nights staying in Miami Beach, costs from €1,449 per person sharing. www.etravel.ie, 01-4081911.
• Please bear in mind that offers are subject to availability