Belvedere House, with gardens and park, is a magnificent parkland estate on Lough Ennel, Co Westmeath.
Visitors can enjoy a range of activities, such as walking the discovery trails, visiting the follies, themed play areas and listen to stories steeped in scandal from Belvedere's past.
Who said "mere words cannot frighten"? Find out about graveyard body snatching and the origins of Dracula on the Dublin Ghost Bus Tour. Nightly departures from Dublin Bus in O'Connell Street at 8 p.m.
The Wild Rose Waterbus operates on one of Ireland's most beautiful lakes, Lough Gill, from Parkes Castle, Kilmore, Co Leitrim, into the centre of Sligo, passing the Isle of Innisfree, on the way. The skipper, George, has lots of stories about the area.
Bus Éireann Breakaways has a range of travel offers. For €72 per person sharing you get return coach transport to the destination of your choice from any point on the network, one night in a hotel and breakfast. Hotels include the Arbutus Hotel in Killarney (above), the Brandon in Tralee, Westlodge in Bantry, the River Hotel in Sligo and the Alcock and Brown Hotel in Clifden. Extra nights cost €42. Details tel: 01-8366111 or your local bus station.
