From exotic island trips to bargain-basement airfares, JOAN SCALES has the deals of the week
DEAL OF THE WEEK
A week in Madeira: from €357
Youtravel, the online travel agent, has some great value all- inclusive stays for this summer in sunny European destinations. A week for two in the Monte Mar Palace Hotel at Ponte Delgada (above) in Madeira is from €357 for two, or a week in the Palia La Roca resort in Benalmadena costs from €884. Family stays for a week in the Club Hotel Riu Vistamar, Gran Canaria are from €1,280, or at the Royal Hotel, Sunny Beach, Bulgaria from €835 or Lykia World in Antalya, Turkey from €1,579, for two adults and two children under 12. Flights are extra. www.youtravel.com.
HOME DEALS
There’s the rub: from €249
Private Ireland has a deal at eight properties around the country that includes two nights’ bed and breakfast, one dinner and a one-hour massage from €249pps. Choose from the Brook Lane in Kenmare, 1 Pery Square in Limerick, The Red Bank in Skerries, Carrig Country House in Killorglin, Carrygerry Country House in Clare, the Redbank in Skerries, Ross Lake House Hotel in Galway or the Water’s Edge in Donegal. 061-311182, www.privateireland.com.
Go fishing: from €275
They can’t guarantee a salmon but you can fish one of Ireland’s most famous salmon rivers, the Moy, on a two-day break with the Downhill House Hotel in Ballina, Co Mayo. Two nights with one dinner and a day’s fishing is from €275pps. 096-21033, www.downhillhotel.ie.
Spa/golf break: from €394
The Lodge at Doonbeg, Co Clare has a package for ladies that includes a round of golf and a day in the White Horses Spa. Have a lesson on the driving range before playing the course. Spend day two in the spa being pampered. The package is €394pps based on four sharing. 065-9055602, www.doonbeggolfclub.com.
Sail and speak: from €485
Teenagers can improve their French and learn to sail in Collanmore, Clew Bay, Co Mayo or in Baltimore, Co Cork with Glenans Irish Sailing Club. The French and sail courses run on June 20th and 27th. The price of €695 residential includes all meals and gear. Non-residential prices from €485. 028-20630, www.gisc.ie.
Surf and turf: from €400
The Clarion Hotel in Sligo will take kids on an action-packed day doing surfing, kayaking, orienteering and walking. A two-night stay for two adults and one child is €400 and €50 for each additional child for the Turf and Surf programme. 071-9119000, www.clarionhotelsligo.com.
Killarney suite: from €285
Stay in a junior suite, which sleeps two adults and two children, at the five-star Killarney Park during July and August for three nights, for €285 per night including breakfast. 064-6635555, www.killarneyparkhotel.ie.
Please bear in mind that all deals are subject to availability
OVERSEAS DEALS
Rocky Mountain trip: from €1,348
Get a real feel for Canada and the Rocky Mountains with a trip staying in Calgary and Vancouver and travelling between the cities on the Rocky Mountaineer Train. It includes direct flights to and from Dublin, seven nights’ accommodation and one train trip for €1,348. Or you could go to the Calgary Stampede for world-class rodeo action from €1,140pps. 021-4635085, www.canadacollection.ie.
Croatia offers: from €474
Discover Croatia with Concorde Travel, staying in Makarska in a self-catering apartment from €474pps, with flights from Dublin or Knock. Or fly from Cork for a family stay in Dubrovnik for five people from €2,474. 01-7759300, www.concordetravel.ie.
West End shows: from €122
Take a loved one or friend to London for a show in the West End from €122pps. Keith Prowse has two-night packages staying in the Jolly St Ermin’s Hotel, including breakfast and top-price tickets to a selection of West End shows. 01-8783500, www.keithprowse.com.
Grand prix glory: from €402
This year is the last one at Silverstone for the British Grand Prix, as it moves to Donington Park next year, so you could treat dad to a trip to see Jensen Button on June 21st. A two-night stay and transfers with a three-day ticket is from £349pps (about €402). www.grandstandmotorsports.co.uk.
Live like a mad man: from €120
If Don Draper of Mad Men was staying in town you could picture him in Hotel Roger Williams in Murray Hill, New York. The recently opened hotel is colourful and fun with a 1960s feel, though you can’t smoke here. With rates from $170 (about €120) per room per night, this is good value in Midtown Manhattan. 00-1-212-4487000, www.hotelrogerwilliams.com.
French family trip: from €1,798
Families can still go to France with some good discounts from the French Holiday Centre. It has mobile homes and camping special offers in Biarritz from €41 per night in June and August. July and August offers with car and accommodation for two adults and up to four children are available from €1,798. 021-4272527, www.frenchholidaycentre.ie.
Fly to Europe: from €9.99
Aer Lingus’s autumn seat sale begins tomorrow for travel from September 1st to March 31st, 2010. Grab seats to Europe from €9.99 one way including taxes and to the US from €159 one way including taxes. www.aerlingus.com