Looking for a break? Joan Scalespicks out some top holiday offers both at home and abroad
DEAL OF THE WEEK
Three nights in Istanbul: from €289
East meets West in Istanbul, the only city in the world straddling two continents. Explore the Blue Mosque, the Topkapi Palace, shop in the bazaars and take a cruise on the Bosphorus. Enjoy the sheer difference of Istanbul for three nights from only €289 plus taxes, including flights and a stay in the Hotel Marble. Available from Thursday to Sunday between April 3rd and June 12th.
Details from Abbey Travel on 01-8047100; www.abbeytravel.ie.
HOME BREAKS
Cosy in-room spa experience: from €92pp
The Culloden Estate and Spa in the Holywood Hills near Belfast has added a 26-bedroom wing bringing the number of rooms to 105.
Some of the suites have their own gas fires and the dedicated spa suites are private spa havens for in-room treatments. Nightly rates from £75 (around €92) per person sharing. Call: 048-90421066; www.hastingshotels.com.
Relaxation in Donegal castle: from €175
At the foot of the Bluestack Mountains in southwest Donegal, the Solis Lough Eske Castle has a beautiful location and now it has opened its new spa. Using the Sodashi natural products from Australia, the spa also has couple rooms for synchronised treatments for two people. Stays from €175 per night for two including breakfast. Call: 074-9725100; www.solislougheskecastle.ie.
Dublin in April Shelbourne-style: from €399
The Shelbourne Hotel has its first year under its belt following its extensive refurbishment. Now is the time to visit and explore the capital and enjoy a stay in the well-known hotel. Two nights bed and breakfast for two is available for any days in April from €399. Call 01-6634500; www.theshelbourne.ie.
Getting sporty in Wexford town
White's of Wexford has opened a new High Performance Centre which is designed to help sports people improve all components of fitness that they require.
This adds on to the cryotherapy clinic and extensive spa and sports facilities added to the hotel in the past year. Details from Rachel Maguire on 053-9174217.
Moving onto the heritage trail
Hidden Ireland launched its new brochures last week, a collection of over 30 privately-owned unusual properties around the country. They straddle the boundary between tourism and heritage.
Also launched was the guide to a selection of self-catering properties, all in magical surroundings. See www.hiddenireland.com
OVERSEAS BREAKS
Follow the earls to Rome: €1,195
The earls O'Neill and O'Donnell fled to Italy in 1608 and left their mark. You can explore their journey with a visit for a week to Rome on April 27th. During the week you will visit Assisi, have dinner in the Columbus Hotel where they stayed and see the church at San Pietro in Montorio where they are buried. Staying in the four-star Quirinale Hotel, it costs from €1,195 per person sharing. Call Maptravel on 01-8783116; www.maptravel.ie.
Sterling value in Cornwall: €235
This time last year sterling was 68 pence to the euro, this week it is 78 pence to the euro which means that money goes further in Britain. Take this special offer from The Hotel on Watergate Bay, Newquay in Cornwall, £185 (around €235) per person for three nights. It includes dinner in Fifteen, the Jamie Oliver inspired restaurant and dinner on the other two nights in the hotel's Brasserie. The hotel also has an extreme academy for the most adventurous to try kite surfing, sand boarding, windsurfing and other exciting activities. The offer is valid for arrival on Sunday or Wednesday between March 30th and June 18th. For reservations, tel: 0044-1637860543.
Air South West has daily services between Dublin and Newquay and the Cork to Newquay service resumes on April 28th. See: www.airsouthwest.com.
Tunisia in April: from €295
Tunisia offers great value travel in April with a week B&B in the Bel Air Hotel from €295 or half-board in the El Mouradi Palace from €409. Call: 01-2886828; www.sunway.ie.
Icelandic cruise: from €1,746
Combine learning with a cruise and you will have an enjoyable holiday. Spirit of Adventure, the discovery cruise ship, will be taking passengers from Dublin to Iceland on June 20th for an interesting and intimate 10-day trip. On board will be a geologist, an expert on comparative religions, a marine biologist and an astronomer to make your journey interesting. There will also be great food and light entertainment to enjoy. Prices from €1,746 and details from John Galligan Travel, 01-2076555;
www.jgt.ie.
Family fun in Wales: €285
A great value family holiday is across the Irish Sea in a Haven Holiday resort in Wales. Fill the car with kids, luggage and toys and head off on Stena Line to Holyhead or Fishguard for three nights away from €285 for two adults and up to four children staying in a mobile home. All Haven Holiday resorts have children's clubs, swimming pool areas and free entertainment. Tel: 01-2047733 or your local travel agent; www.stenaline.ie/ holidays.
Back in season: Toronto flights
The seasonal Air Canada services return earlier this year with flights to Toronto beginning on May 20th and extending until October 19th. Call: 01-6793958; www.aircanada.com.