Holidays where you learn something or do something unusual are becoming more popular. The brochure for Skyros recently landed on my desk and I want to join in all their events and activities. The ethos of Skyros is based on holistic holidays that combine a beautiful Greek island with interesting lectures and fascinating facilitators: Martin Amis, Clare Boylan, Margaret Drabble, Fay Weldon, Sue Townsend and more. Lesley Garner of the The Sunday Telegraph summed up Skyros like this: "People go to Club Med to forget themselves - here they hope to find themselves." So, if you fancy finding yourself in writing, woodcarving, comedy, massage, reiki, yoga, icon painting, Greek dance, pony riding, T'ai Chi, singing, painting, tangoing, clowning, this is the place for you. If you would like to go further afield they also have a centre on Ko Samet island in Thailand. Brochure from 92 Prince of Wales Road, London NW5 3NE (0044-20-72674424), email: connect@skyros.com
Best Western, owner of over 400 hotels in the UK, has cut the cost of two-night breaks at around 200 of their hotels by 30 per cent this winter. Combine this with cheap winter fares to many places and you could have a reasonable priced short holiday. If you go to the London area you can take advantage of the Virgin Trains offer of £68 for two by ferry and rail to Euston. Britrail has details on 01-6612866. Many of these offers, including the airline offers, are not confined to weekends, giving you more scope for a three-day, two-night break. Prices with Best Western start from £36 per night for dinner, bed and breakfast, and many of their hotels have discounted admission for tourist attractions. You can get their booklet from Best Western Hotels, Amy Johnson Way, York, YO30 4GP (00-44-1904-695400).
Santa Claus is on again about his Lapland holidays. He's trying to get as many Irish kids to Santapark as possible this year. He still has availability for three-day breaks on December 2nd and 9th. For £645 per child and £699 per adult, he is promising a fun-filled time that includes flights, accommodation, meals, magic sleigh rides and thermal clothes. Call his elves in Ireland on (01) 4780533, 8335100 and 4751177.
Small luxury hotels are always charming places to spend a quiet night, and the Fitzwilliam Park is ideally located on Fitzwilliam Square, Dublin. You can have a taste of how it feels to live in Georgian splendour. A night in one of their luxury rooms, including breakfast, costs £110, and a suite for a treat, £150. Details from 01-6628280 or info@fitzpark.ie
jscales@irish-times.ie