Compiled by
JOAN SCALES
Deal of the Week
Save up to €380 per couple on a seven-day escorted tour of Italy that departs on October 12th and visits Rome, Venice, Florence and Lake Garda while also taking in the sights and scenery of Chianti and the Po Valley. Price from €1,259pps. See sunway.ie, tel 01-2311888.
Away
JURYS INNin Prague is celebrating its second anniversary with a special offer. Stay two nights in November and get a complimentary two-course meal. If you book up to 28 days in advance, get 25 per cent off the best rate, so you could stay for as little as €47 per night. Book by September 30th on jurysinns.com.
REJUVENATEon a yoga retreat high in the Sierra Nevada, Andalusia during October. The four-day break includes two yoga sessions a day and visits to local sights, or just spend time by the pool. Priced from £495pps (€571) with full board and transfers from Malaga Airport. See lotusjourneys.com.
TRY ANautumn walking holiday on the Canary island of El Hierro with Shane Gray. Discover the island's diversity, from stone-walled fields to laurel forests and vineyards, and see pineapples and bananas growing. Make your way to Tenerife and the cost from there is from €425pps including ferries, accommodation and guided walks. See shane-gray.com.
A GOODway to find top class hotels at good rates is on hotwire.com. Some examples for October and November are a five-star in London's Mayfair from €155 and a four-star in Kensington from €114. In Paris a four-star on the Champs-Elysées is from €135 while in New York a four-star in the Empire State area is from €198. All prices are per room per night.
Home
THE CARLOWWalking festival takes place from October 7th to 9th. It's a great chance to explore the county. Stay for the weekend with rates from €70pps in Barrow Lodge BB, Carlow town, from €99pps in Mulvarra House, St Mullins or from €149pps at the Killerig Resort Hotel. Rates include evening meals and in some cases packed lunches. See carlowtourism.com.
OVER THREEweekends in October the Bayview Hotel in Ballycotton, Cork will host gourmet weekends with wine tastings, cookery demonstrations, décor lessons and fun from €155pps. Book the three weekends for €450pps. Tel: 021-4646746 or see thebayviewhotel.com.
STAY ATthe Holiday Inn Express, Dublin from €87 per room for five days and €89 per room for seven days in Cork International Airport Hotel. See tifcohotels.ie.
THE GREENVillage Arts and Music festival takes place next Saturday at Castletown Geoghegan, Co Westmeath. It's a mix of contemporary and traditional music. Family tickets are €89 for two adults and two teenagers. See greenvillage.ie.
THE PARKHotel in Dungarvan has teamed up with the Tannery Restaurant to offer a memorable autumn break. Stay three nights with breakfast each day and have dinner in the Tannery on a night of your choice from €159pps. The hotel will also include chocolates, a manicure or a wash and blow dry in Waves Salon. Tel: 058- 42899 or see flynnhotels.com.
THE ANNUALGolden Years festival at the Westport Plaza and Castle Court hotels begins on September 25th with five days and nights of fun. Dance or walk, paint or bowl, try a new hobby, show your talent at the show and make friends. Prices from €305pps in the Castle Court and from €350pps in Westport Plaza. This includes evening meals and a gala dinner. Tel: 098-55088 or 098-51166.
ESCAPE TOThailand in Fermanagh at the Ysara Spa in the Lough Erne Resort. Autumn overnights with a facial, heat or foot massage and dinner are from £175pps (€202) midweek. On September 22nd or 29th enjoy afternoon tea and stay over for £55pps (€63). Tel: 048- 66323230 or see lougherneresort.com.
Please note all deals are subject to availability.