From a luxury train tour of India to a foodie getaway in Belfast, JOAN SCALEShas the best of thes offers
Deal of the week: Family breaks 2010: from €1,280
Next summer may seem a long way off, but the brochures are beginning to appear to tempt us to book. Falcon (1850-453545, falconholidays.ie) has a week in Lanzarote next May, from Dublin, Cork or Shannon, from €1,280 for two adults and a child, or a week in Majorca from €1,520 for two adults and two children. Deposits are €50. Budget (01-6311111, budgettravel.ie) has holidays to Spain from €279, two weeks for the price of one and half-price insurance for children.
Overseas deals
India by train: from €3,200
Each week from November 18th until April 14th, the Indian Maharaja – Deccan Odyssey luxury train will take guests on a tour of India from Mumbai to Delhi, or vice versa, stopping for visits along the way. Hospitality on board will be managed by the five-star Taj Hotels group. The eight-day trip includes flights from London, accommodation and all meals on board, plus a night in Delhi with dinner, from £2,895 (about €3,200) per person sharing. 00-44- 1904-521936, greatrail.com.
Spanish golf week: €649
Fancy trying out Spain’s newly extended Mar Menor golf course – now an 18-hole par 72? The Intercontinental hotels in Murcia have four-night stays with three green fees for €349pps or seven nights with six green fees for €649pps. Ryanair flies to Murcia from Dublin and Shannon. 00-34-968-031973, reservas@polarisworld.com.
Language week: from €410
If you’re a student who needs to brush up your language skills, Stein Study Abroad has breaks that combine lessons with a holiday. Seven days staying in Nerja, in Spain, costs from €410; a week in Montpellier, in France, starts at €460; and a week in Berlin costs from €490. 01-4759646, steinstudy abroad.ie.
Liverpool ferry: from €170
You can take your car to northwestern England – and visit the Lake District, perhaps – with Norfolkline. Returns from Dublin to Liverpool start at €170 (norfolkline.com). If you need somewhere to stay, MacDonald Hotels Resorts has BB at a selection of country properties from £39 (about €43) per person sharing. macdonaldhotels.com.
Family breaks 2010: from €1,280
Next summer may seem a long way off, but the brochures are beginning to appear, to tempt us to book. Falcon (1850-453545, falconholidays.ie) has a week in Lanzarote next May, from Dublin, Cork or Shannon, from €1,280 for two adults and a child, or a week in Majorca from €1,520 for two adults and two children. Deposits are €50. Budget (01-6311111, budgettravel.ie) has holidays to Spain from €279, two weeks for the price of one and half-price insurance for children.
Mournes spa stay: from €195
The Mountains of Mourne are the backdrop to a spa break at the Slieve Donard Hotel in Newcastle, Co Down. A one-night stay with dinner and an hour’s Espa treatment costs from €195pps. 01-7078617, spa-ireland.com.
Kildare shop and stay: €195
Barberstown Castle, in Co Kildare, has a shopping weekend, with two nights’ BB, with a dinner, for €195pps. Pick up the VIP card at the Kildare Village outlet centre to get 10 per cent off your purchases, then show it at the hotel for 10 per cent off the price of your deal when you check out. 01-6288157, barberstowncastle.ie.
Spooky family Galway: €539
The Twelve, in Co Galway, is offering rooms for an eerie family stay over Halloween. Highlight of the three-night break is a visit to the Scary House, where you can break spells, solve mysteries and travel the haunted trail to the witch’s den. Dinner one night is included in the price of €539 for two adults and two children sharing. 091-597000, thetwelvehotel.ie.
Donegal break: from €99
Villa Rose Hotel V Spa in Ballybofey, Co Donegal, has two nights’ midweek bed and breakfast, with dinner one night, from €99pps, or one night’s BB with dinner and a Swedish back massage from €105pps. Available until November 12th. 074-9132266, villarose.net.
Foodie Belfast: €240 for 2
If you’re thinking of spending a night or two in Belfast, the city’s new Fitzwilliam Hotel has two nights’ accommodation with dinner one evening in its Menu restaurant. The food is devised by Kevin Thorton, the Michelin-starred chef based at the Fitzwilliam’s sister hotel in Dublin. The package costs €240 for two people. 048-90442080, fitzwilliamhotelbelfast.com.
Please bear in mind that all deals are subject to availability