The best Black Friday travel deals

Great Escapes: This week we focus on some of the best deals at home and abroad

Black Friday deals and discounts

A host of travel specialists are offering flash sales to coincide with Black Friday, which falls this Friday, November 24th. Black Friday is traditionally an American day of discounted shopping, but it is now an international event.

TUI Holidays is giving €100 off holidays to Mexico for next summer, €75 off Marella Cruises all next year and €50 off European holidays up to end October next year. Book between November 23rd and November 27th, tuiholidays.ie, 1850453545.

Aer Lingus is giving €100 off seats to the west coast of America, €30 off east coast seats for travel from January 8th to March 21st, 2018 and up to 30 per cent off European fares for travel year round in 2018 if you book by November 29th, aerlingus.com.

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Ryanair customers can now book 500,000 seats from €9.99 for travel from December to April 2018, which must be booked by midnight tonight.

American Holidays is offering €100 off selected holidays to the US, book by Saturday, November 25th, see americanholidays.com.

Insight Vacations' Black Friday sale includes discounts of €265pps on a 10-day tour of Italy. Book from  November 24th to December 1st for a trip from March 31st, 2018, from €1,930pps, flights extra, insightsvacations.com, 1800989898, ref. Blackfr107.

Directski is holding a Black Friday sale until November 26th with prices reduced to €329 in some places. Deals include January 6th to Kitzbuhel, Austria, 3* Kolpinghaus Apartments, self catering, was €699 now €349pps, based on 4 sharing. Or January 6th to Chamonix, France, 3* Residence la Riviere, self catering was €479 now €329pps, based on 4 sharing, see directski.com.

Nab a Black Friday deal to go skiing in the French Alps, staying in Chamonix

At home, tickets for Tayto Park are on special offer on Black Friday.  Tickets can be used throughout 2018 and include entry, lunch and limitless rides for €50 for two people, or €100 for four, taytopark.ie.

The Step House Hotel in Borris, Co Carlow will have 20 per cent off all B&B bookings for available dates until March 28th, 2018. Book by November 25th, see stephousehotel.ie.

The luxurious Castlemartyr Resort in east Cork is giving 10 per cent off all vouchers sold on Black Friday, November 24th, and Cyber Monday, November 27th. Visit castlemartyrresort.ie. or call 021 421 9000 to purchase.

Faithlegg House in Waterford has a Black Friday deal of an overnight break with breakfast for two people for €115, including €20 spa credit per person and €10 per person off afternoon tea or a round of golf . The deal also includes late check out until 1pm. Valid midweek until March 29th, 2018, faithlegg.com.

jscales@irishtimes.com ]

Premiership football trips from €149

Take a football lover to see a match in the Nou Camp in Barcelona, Spain,the biggest stadium in Europe

Cassidy Travel has day trips to the Manchester United fixture against Stoke City at Old Trafford on January 15th from €149pp. Includes boat, bus and match ticket. Stay overnight for an additional €90pp. There’s Liverpool v West Ham on February 24th from €299pp and table-topping Man City v champions Chelsea on March 3rd from €199pp, both including hotel and match ticket. For something really special, why not take in a match at the Nou Camp to see Barca take on Bilboa on March 18th from €2,199pp includes hotel and match ticket, flights extra. Book through cassidytravel.ie, 01 8735000.

The very best of California

Take a guided tour around California, and cross the Gateway Bridge in San Francisco

Explore the state of California on a 16-day escorted tour, departing on Thursdays from Ireland from April to October next year. The tour will visit San Diego, Palm Springs, Monument Valley, Bryce Canyon National Park, Las Vegas, Yosemite National Park, Grand Canyon, San Francisco, Los Angeles, all the highlights of this great state and Nevada. The price from €2,199 pps includes flights, accommodation and guides. Slatterys. com, 066-4011150.

Trek to Everest Base Camp

The city of Tengboche, one of the stops on a Everest Base Camp trek

Intrepid travellers will love the opportunity to go to Everest Base Camp, and places are still available for the trip in October 2018, allowing good time to prepare. The 17-night tour takes in two nights in Kathmandu, 11 nights trekking to and from Everest Base Camp and two nights in Kathmandu on return, plus two overnight flights. The 17-night tour is €2,769pps. Single supplement €369. Travelescapes.ie, 01 2941000.

Christmas specials

Escape the Christmas madness with afternoon tea on Chrismas Eve in Limerick Stand Hotel

Have a calm Christmas Eve in the Strand Hotel in Limerick, by booking the festive afternoon tea. Forget the last minute shopping and relax in the Terrace restaurant overlooking the Shannon. €23.95 per person. Tel: 061-421800 or email christmas@strandhotellimerick.ie.

In Sligo, the Radisson still has some availability for two- and three-night Christmas breaks. All the Christmas trimmings are included from €345pps for two nights and €460pps for three nights. Children from €100 for two nights and €120 for three nights, 071-9140008, radissonblu.com.

Three nights for two - Discover Ireland

Batty Langley tower house in Leixlip, one of many Landmark Trust properties available for rent

The Landmark Trust has stunning period properties all around Ireland. Each has been carefully restored in keeping with its original decor, but with modern comforts. Spend a night in a light-keepers cottage, in a gate lodge, a miniature castle, or other unusual properties on the Wild Atlantic Way, watching the crashing waves . Three nights for two on selected properties for November, December and January midweek, book by December 22nd, irishlandmark.com, 01-6704733.