Special offers from Aer Lingus until the end of March include two for the price of one fares to nine European destinations. and Brussels are selling at £159, and Cork-Paris Frankfurt, Amsterdam, Zurich, Copenhagen, Dusseldorf and Zurich £199 for two, and or £299 for two. The Aer Lingus AerTours brochures were launched at the recent Holiday show. Inclusive packages to the UK, and North America are featured with even more cities this year. If you avail of their offer, then try and take in Woodfield Shopping Centre, a leading tourist destination in Illinois with 285 stores, many of them the major department stores.
Shannon Region launched their Lucky Breaks brochure in January packed with over 150 holiday options to choose from, hotels, guesthouses, farmhouses, town and country homes, self catering, caravans, hostels, camping and more. It also covers activity-based holidays, fishing, golf, health farm, horse riding, cruising, traditional music, medieval banquets, set dancing and walking. Weekends from as little as £35 per person, and if you book into a place with the lucky breaks symbol you can win prizes. Brochures are available from local tourist offices or from Shannon Development, Arthur's Quay, Limerick. Tel: 061 317522. Fax: 061 317939.
The cities of Middle and Eastern Europe have always held a fascination. History, romance, art, culture, and food all spring to mind when you think of Vienna, Prague and Budapest. GroupWorld (01 667 3113) has organised an enchanting tour from March 15th that allows you see all of these wonderful cities in eight days. The tour starts in Prague, where you can see the Gothic and baroque extravagances of the past. Overland through the beautiful Austrian countryside to Vienna with guided tours of the Schonbrunn Palace and gardens, St Stephen's Cathedral and the State Opera. Then on to Budapest, the city that is really two cities: Buda, and Pest, divided by the Danube. There you will see the magnificent Royal Palace and the Coronation Church and many other sites. Prices from £599 per person sharing.
Ibiza Unplugged fans will be delighted to see that JWT Holidays have a section in the back of their main brochure just for you - the 2wentys. "San Antonio (San An) is where cultures meet, unite, tune in and vibe out so leave any inhibitions at home." If you saw Ibiza Unplugged, then you know that is exactly what to do. Less frenetic resorts include Gran Canaria and Santa Ponsa. Prices begin at £269.
Cardiff, like Dublin, has been going through a period of great development and urban renewal. This year they will play host to the European Council, an honour the city has worked hard to achieve. Cardiff has much to offer visitors, with its castle, Europe's newest concert hall, St David's Cathedral and Cardiff Bay, a £2.4 billion development project with marina, entertainment, restaurants and visitor centre. Match weekend at Cardiff Arms Park is March 20th, and King Travel (01 845 3600) has a special of £105 for flight and two nights accommodation at Jurys Hotel. On other weekends a three night special costs £139.