The active family will be drawn to a new development at Blessington in Co Wicklow. The Lakeshore Holiday Village caters for all types of land and water sports. Kayaking, canoeing, quad-biking, horse riding, archery, windsurfing, mountain biking, tennis, and more are available. Located at Burgage in Blessington, the holiday homes cater for up to six people and prices are from £300 to £450 per week in high season. There is also a pizzeria and coffee shop on site. Details from (045) 865 092.
A new museum has opened in Paris and it is giving venerable institutions like the Louvre and the Musee d'Orsay a run for their money. The Musee de L'Erotisme shows pieces ranging from sculpture, paintings, prints and figurines. Exhibits are tastefully presented in display cases and objects originate from around the world. The museum is located appropriately in the Pigalle district and is open from 10 a.m. to 2 a.m. daily.
A Sligo-based walking company has been launched recently, Nomadic Ventures. On offer are some of the classic walking areas such as the Pyrenees, North Wales, Glencoe in Scotland and some of the less frequented places throughout Ireland, Britain and Europe. Founded by Des Clark, a trained guide and mountain leader, he will bring people on some great walking trips. You can get the programme for this year from (071) 46012 or write to them at Nomadic Ventures, Butler's Lane, Kiltycahill, Sligo.
Castles, palaces, Moorish citadels, country houses in the style of the region, restored convents and monasteries, these are some of the state-owned Spanish paradors located all over Spain. Wellknown for their exceptional value, there is now an agent in Ireland, where you can book the paradors. Lorna Roberts will be happy to send you details. There are often special offers out of season too. Write to her at Barr an Bhaile, Aillebrack, Ballyconneely, Co Galway, or tel: (095) 23511.
CIE TOURS International has become quite the expert for Canada in recent years. The partnership with Air Transat offers weekly flights from Dublin and Shannon to Toronto from April to October. Prices start at a reasonable £259. Air Transat allows you to upgrade to a bigger seat in a separate cabin for only £85 each way. You can get a brochure from your local travel agent or from CIE International on (01) 703 1888.
In association with the North West Passage and the BBC "Awash with Colour" series, Dermot Cavanagh, Festival Ireland would like to invite painting enthusiasts of all levels to join him on a specially organised break. The first will be from April 30th to May 2nd, based at the Silver Birch Hotel outside Omagh. The weekend will include two nights B & B and a full day workshop with Dermot Cavanagh. The cost is £139 per person sharing and you can get details from O'Mara Travel, 37 Main Street, Donnybrook, Dublin 4, (01) 269 6033.
Watch the sun go down in north-west Europe for the last time this century. Ostan Radharc na Mara at Bunbeg has a millennium break for three days that costs £395 and includes three gourmet dinners and a New Year's Eve disco. Tel: 075 31159.