Trinity Island Lodge is a fabulous get- away place for a small house party or family. A stone-built lodge on an island in the middle of a lake in Cavan, this beautifully property has been renovated and extended by Tom O'Dowd. It has a jacuzzi and sauna - and not one but three boats for messing about in. Call Tom on (049) 4334314 to see if he has any weekends or weeks free. You'll be surprised at his prices.
Who said everything is full for Christmas and New Year? Not if you want to go skiing in Andorra or Italy. Topflight has one-week in Andorra from December 19th from £279 and the New Year from December 26th from £395 - Italy is from £399. European hoteliers have not raised prices exorbitantly for this period. Details from your local ITAA travel agent.
£3 return to Manchester! Who can keep up with Ryanair's specials? This latest one is incredible - if you can get it. Even adding on taxes and service charges, it's still only £30 odd. The offer runs until Tuesday and you can book on (01) 6097800 or their website www.ryanair.com
The Grey Door Irish restaurant and Pier 32 in Upper Pembroke Street (01 6763286) have a special offer for my readers. If you book a Christmas party between today and November 30th, you get a 10 per cent discount on menu prices for lunch or dinner - just mention my name. They also have rooms if you want to make it a night in town. Their sister property, the Hibernian, off Baggot Street is offering a special rate of £80 per room, bed and breakfast from December 27th-31st. If you plan on celebrating the New Year in Dublin, it's a great location, quiet but near everything. (01) 6687666.
Experienced skiers tired of crowded pistes and long queues can try something totally different this season. Robbie Fenlon is running courses in the French Alps, starting in January. They include off-piste, ski touring and a combination of both. Courses start from £485 for six days, and include half-board and the hire of Ortotvox receivers. The courses are limited to six people and you should be able to ski red and black runs comfortably. For brochures, phone 0404 40812.
Congratulations to the Merrion Hotel which recently won the Johansens Award for excellence in a city hotel, the first time for an Irish hotel.
The London Eye is finally up. The British Airways sponsored observation wheel, the world's largest, is set to open for the New Year.
Joan Scales can be contacted at jscales@irish-times.ie