From a Dutch festival of tulips to Fashionweek in Belfast, JOAN SCALEShas the week's best offers
DEAL OF THE WEEK
Turn back the clock for 2 family nights in March: €99
Lynch Hotels says it is turning back the clock to 1999 by offering 1,000 rooms in March for €99 for two nights for two adults and up to two children. The offer applies to Breaffy House Hotel (above) and Breaffy Woods Hotel, which share a 35-hectare estate outside Castlebar, West County Hotel, in Ennis, and Clare Inn Hotel, which sits on 600 hectares of woodland in Dromoland. All four hotels have leisure facilities, including pools, and most have entertainment at the weekends, which could make for an ideal family break. 1890-669900, www.lynchotels.com.
OVERSEAS DEALS
Welsh weekend: from €265 for 4
Pembrokeshire, in Wales, is one of Britain’s loveliest counties, and in Bluestone it has a top-class resort. The complex, a cross between Trabolgan and Center Parcs, is within 30 minutes of Fishguard and Pembroke ports, beside Oakwood Theme Park. The tropical swimming pool and wave zone should be a hit with the children. A three-night weekend in March will cost from £235 (about €265) for a lodge that sleeps four. 00-44-1834-862400, www.bluestonewales.com.
Dutch tulips: from €274 for 2
The theme of the Keukenhof tulip festival, which celebrates its 60th anniversary this year, is the historic links between the Netherlands and the United States. Hotel Okura, not far away in Amsterdam, is arranging visits to Keukenhof for its guests; rates are from €274 per night for two, including BB, transport and tickets from March 19th to 21st (00-31-20-6788300, www.okura.nl). Aer Lingus (www.aerlingus.com) flies to Amsterdam from Dublin and Cork.
Paint in France or Spain: €895
Rosemary Burns will be taking people on painting holidays again this year in Spain and France. The breaks are for anyone who wishes to discover or improve their artistic talent. The Spanish trip, from May 16th to 23rd, will again be in Comares, an Andalusian village that should inspire all watercolourists. It costs €895, including tuition, accommodation and meals.
The French trip, from June 7th to 14th, is based at Château de Beaulieu, on the River Loire near Saumur. It also costs €895. 087-9675630, www.arc-designs.ie.
Fly to Frankfurt: €149 for 2
Fly to Frankfurt, in Germany, with a partner or friend for only €149 for two, including taxes and charges. You must book by tomorrow for outward travel in March. www.lufthansa.com.
Sail to Roscoff: from €70
Brittany Ferries’ service from Cork to Roscoff, in France, begins for the season on April 4th. Fares start at €70 per person each way. If you book by March 31st you’ll get a 15 per cent discount on crossings and a 10 per cent discount on accommodation. 021-4277801, www.brittanyferries.ie,
Wimbledon: from €443pps
Book now for Wimbledon with Keith Prowse Travel, for an overnight trip between June 22nd and July 5th for Court No 2, with flights and hotel accommodation from €443pps. Tickets are available for No 1 and Centre courts, too. 01-8783500, www.keithprowse.ie
HOME DEALS
Dún Laoghaire break: from €99
Revive yourself by the sea at the refurbished Royal Marine Hotel, in Dún Laoghaire, Co Dublin. Rooms cost from €99 per night for two, with free parking. You can also try the new SansanaSpa, with a pampering package from €129pps that includes dinner and a treatment. 01-2300030, www.royalmarine.ie.
Ballybofey nights: €105pps
The four-star Villa Rose Hotel V-Spa, in Ballybofey, is inviting you to revisit Co Donegal with a weekend offer of two nights' BB and one dinner for €109pps. The hotel puts on live music every weekend. If you visit midweek you can stay for three nights with one dinner for €105pps. 074-9132266, www.villarose.net.
Donegal walking break: from €319
Also in Co Donegal, Harvey's Point Hotel begins its walking season next Thursday with a three-night package. Guests will take part in some lovely guided walks through the Blue Stack mountains and around Lough Eske. They will also walk through Ardnamona forest, which has one of the country's best rhododendron collections. The package, which includes breakfast, a packed lunch each day and dinner on two nights, costs from €319pps. Walking packages will also run in April, June, July, September and October. 074-9722208, www.harveyspoint.com.
Belfast fashion: from €55pps
Belfast Fashionweek begins next Friday; apparently, the concierges at the Europa and Culloden hotels will be able to find tickets for the best shows. The calendar includes catwalk shows, fashion masterclasses, design workshops and exhibitions. You can stay at the Europa from £47.50pps (about €55pps) or the Culloden from £60pps (about €70pps). www.hastingshotels.com, 048- 90421066 (Europa), 048- 90271066 (Culloden). See also www.belfastfashionweek.com.
Kerry pampering: from €225
Be a queen for the day in the Kingdom and restore your body and soul at the five-star Europe Hotel Resort, in Killarney. The day begins with a consultation and skin analysis, followed by a facial or massage with Espa products. You'll be able to use new water and heat facilities and finish off with a manicure and pedicure. From €225. 064-6671340, www.theeurope.com.
Please bear in mind that all deals are subject to availability