Cycling tours and winter sun
Solo winter sun
Is there anywhere I can get away to the sun for three to four days for pure rest and relaxation as a single traveller? I have seen lots of offers to Malta for a week, and I believe it is still warm there, but do you know if there are short holidays available for a solo traveller at this time of the year. As my husband is teaching, it is not possible for him to travel, but I just don’t think I can survive until summer. – SM, Dublin
During the winter Ryanair will continue flights to Malta on Mondays and Fridays, ideal for a short break, and the fares are cheap. Average temperatures for Malta in November are 17 to 20 degrees, with about eight hours of sunshine a day.
Malta has plenty of very nice hotels and they are good value at this time of the year. You can stay in a four-star hotel for under €80 per night and a five-star for less than €120 per night. The Fortina Spa Resort is about €300 for four nights in November and the Westin Dragonara is about €470. The Corinthia Palace is a sister hotel to the newly opened Corinthia in London, and a fraction of the price. As you are going by yourself, I recommend staying in a more luxurious hotel with all the facilities of pool, spa and dining.
Lively Christmas ideas
My three single pensioner friends have decided to spend Christmas together and want to stay in a lively hotel in Ireland. They are young at heart and love to dance and have the craic, so need a suitable venue. I’m hoping you can help me as I want Christmas to be special for them. – DB, Dublin
The Gleneagle in Killarney has been running a Christmas package for many years and it is popular. There is entertainment every night, and dancing and meals are included. The Gleneagle has a big leisure centre too. It costs €459pps for three nights. Its sister hotel the Brehon is a bit more expensive, from €569pps.
The Falls Hotel in Ennistymon has a similar type of package for three nights and it costs from €320pps. Travelling with a group of other like-minded people might be fun for you and your friends. Pabtours.comhas Christmas breaks around the country in Killarney, Sligo, Ennis, Donegal and Kilkenny. The tours are by coach and four days in a hotel with all the trimmings will cost from €366pps, tel: 01-871 9819.
* Send your questions with name and address to jscales@irishtimes.com
