The famous Jersey Garden Festival takes place from July 12th-18th. Some of the best known gardening writers and broadcasters will host events and judge 150-odd private gardens and commercial premises which enter the annual awards. Highlights will include guided walks and coach tours to visit prize-winning gardens, exhibition from the Society of Floral Painters, the organic garden at Jersey Zoo and many more events. Details from Jersey Tourism callsave 1850 537 739.
A number of specialist agencies are reporting substantial growth in the school tours market. NST - (01) 8622595 - has an incredible range of tours: your child can be skiing in Switzerland or Austria, doing outdoor adventures in France, attending musical festivals in Scandinavia, celebrating the millennium in China or Egypt or taking sports coaching in the Netherlands.
Scandinavian Seaways has a limited number of summer family specials available to Scandinavia, the Netherlands and Germany. There's an eight-day holiday in Landal Greenpark in Holland, with pool, sports and cycling from £149 per person. Lakeside cabins in Sweden for seven nights start at £183 per person. If the family likes lots of activities, a holiday in Denmark is available from £209 per person for eight nights, or in northern Germany for £183 per person. All Scandinavian Seaways holidays include free ferry crossing on Stena Line to Britain.
Here's one way to see in the millennium that's very different. Cerebral Palsy Ireland has organised an eight-day all-inclusive tour to China for £999 from Dublin - with an extra £30 for departures from Cork and Shannon. Profits will benefit CPI. The trip departs on December 28th and returns on January 4th. The price includes six fully escorted tours.
After a gala dinner on New Year's Eve, the group will head to Tiannamen Square to ring in the millennium. The tour will also take you to Xian where you can see the famous army of terracotta warriors. Details from Paul O'Connor, CPI - phone (061) 301686.
Get travel has been specialising in Russia for the past 10 years and this year it is operating with British Airways to bring you to Moscow and St Petersburg. The operation with BA allows for late afternoon arrivals in Russia and later afternoon departures. Prices for a five-night tour to the Venice of the North, from £499 and a six- night two-city tour from £599. Details from GET, 11 South Anne Street, Dublin 2 - (01) 6713422.
Grand Prix enthusiasts, this is your chance. The nearest it gets to us is Silverstone and it's rated one of the best of the tour. For £439 you can travel early on Saturday to Birmingham and be at Silverstone for the qualifying session. You will be accommodated at the Hilton Hotel in Warwick. On Sunday, you will be there for the big event and return home on Monday. Details from MAP Travel - (01) 8783111.