From a Glenans sailing course in Cork or Mayo to midterm in Cuba, Joan Scaleshas the best of the week's offers
DEAL OF THE WEEK:
Gourmet break in Co Clare: €405 per person sharing
Gregans Castle Hotel, in Ballyvaughan, Co Clare, has a new head chef, Mickael Viljanen. To mark his arrival, the hotel is offering a three-night trip that includes a five-course dinner on day one and a nine-course tasting menu on day two. The price for three nights, including the two dinners, afternoon tea and a goody box to take home, is €405 per person sharing. The offer is available until November 29th. 065-7077005, www.gregans.ie.
HOME BREAKS
Gordon Ramsay and Powerscourt luxury: €245pps
The luxurious Ritz-Carlton Powerscourt, in Co Wicklow, has a tempting autumn deal. Book a two-night break (excluding Saturdays) and you can enjoy not just a massage in its lovely spa but also dinner one night in Gordon Ramsay's restaurant and breakfast each day for €245 per person sharing. The offer stands until December 23rd. 01-2748888, www.ritzcarlton.com.
Gourmet festival in west Cork
A Taste of West Cork Food Festival, in Skibbereen from September 16th to 21st, should be a great chance to meet artisan producers and taste great food. There will also be demonstrations, a young-chefs competition, guided walks and talks by food producers and chefs. The Gate Theatre's tour of Waiting for Godotwill be stopping off, too. 086-2223531, www.atasteof westcork.com.
Sail away with Glenans: €245
The autumn season is starting at Glenans Irish Sailing Club, which has bases in Baltimore, Co Cork, and Collanmore Island, Co Mayo, with weekend courses for beginners and improvers. The price of €245 includes all training, accommodation and food. 01-6611481, www.gisc.ie.
Talk is cheap in Galway: €110pps
As part of its midweek-break offers, Connemara Coast Hotel, in Furbo, Co Galway, has planned talks between now and November on subjects such as smart shopping, lean cooking, appetite management and eating properly at night, plus culinary tips from head chef Ulrich Hoeche. The breaks start at €110 per person sharing for two nights' bed and breakfast and one dinner. 091-592108, www.connemaracoast.ie.
Shopping in Dublin: €90pps
Come to Dublin for a shopping trip and stay at the Radisson SAS St Helen's Hotel, in Booterstown, Co Dublin, and enjoy complimentary champagne and chocolates, plus a €20 voucher for Dundrum Town Centre. The deal, which includes breakfast, costs €90pps per night this month. 01-2186000, www.sthelens.dublin.radisson sas.com.
OVERSEAS BREAKS:
Toronto: from €375 return
Air Canada is finishing off its direct service this season with some offers. It has fares of €375 return, including taxes, to Toronto (or, if you like, on to Montreal, Ottawa, Halifax or St John's for no extra charge). It has discounts to Vancouver, too. Book by September 23rd for travel up to September 28th. 01-6793958, www.aircanada.com.
Gourmet India: €2,780pps
Find a real taste of India with an escorted gastronomic tour of northern India. Experience hands-on cookery demonstrations and tasting sessions hosted by some of India's top chefs and dine in traditional restaurants. The eight-day trip, from Indian Dreams, costs from €2,780 per person sharing. 01-2948412, www.indiandreams.ie.
Orlando deals: €659 per person
Travel Focus, a new tour operator to Florida, has published its first Orlando and Morebrochure, with a variety of accommodation in Disney hotels, new homes and town houses. Its first deal is a week in Orlando, for a family of two adults and two children, from €659 per person, to include flights, accommodation and taxes, and staying at the Comfort Inn on International Drive. 1890-929323 and 021-4251025.
Go to Madrid: €499pps
Explore the Spanish capital with a guided four-day trip on October 4th. The visit will include a city sightseeing tour and a day trip to Toledo. From €499 per person sharing. 01-6311077, www.primeratours.ie.
Sun getaways: from €299
The sun should still be shining in Ibiza in October, and Direct Holidays has a week at the Playa Sol apartments in Es Cana from €299, or two weeks from €339. In the Canaries a week in Playa de las Americas, in Tenerife, will cost from €339. A week in the Algarve, in Albufeira, costs from €269 per person sharing. 01-8860400, www.directholidays.ie.
Cuba: from €1,492
Take the children on an educational holiday next midterm to Cuba. Beacon South America has a seven-day trip that includes a night in Havana, two nights in Las Terrazas, exploring nature and horse-riding, and then four days in Varadero. Prices from €1,492 for adults and €988 for under-12s. 0818-300123, www.beaconsouthamerica.com.
Aer Arann: 20% off
Aer Arann is giving a 20 per discount on all seats on all routes booked until midnight tomorrow. www.aerarann.com.
Aer Lingus: fare sale to the US
Aer Lingus's fare sale to the US continues until Monday night with fares of €235 each way, including taxes, to New York, €279 each way to Orlando and €299 each way to San Francisco. www.aerlingus.com.