Deal of the Week:Tickets for Disney World Florida purchased this month from Attractionticketsdirect.ie either online, on 1800 927467 or at their shop on Harcourt Street, Dublin include a free Everglades airboat ride. Or buy a three park ticket for SeaWorld, Aquatica and Busch Gardens for €85 for 14 days – it normally costs €63 for one day.
Away
* TAKE A tour of Italy by rail and see Rome, Florence and Venice on an eight-day tour that begins from London on Eurostar. Staying two nights in each city will give you time to explore with a possible stopover in Paris on the way back. This is one of a selection of European rail tours and holidays from Erail. Prices from £741pps (about €875). See erail.co.uk.
* EXPLORE CROATIA by land and sea on a two-centre holiday. Stay in Hotel Croatia in Cavtat on the outskirts of Dubrovnik and then on the island of Mijet to get a feel for the Dalmatian coast – prices from €639 on May 7th for a week. Tel: 01-8780800 or croatiatours.ie.
* SEE THE fjords of Norway on a classical musical themed cruise from June 10th on Fred Olsen’s ship Balmoral. Beginning in Southampton the ship will sail to Tromso. Prices from €2,129pps including connecting flights. Tel 01-2941000 or cruisescapes.ie.
* THE TRANS Mongolian adventure with Asia specialists Travel Indochina departs on July 2nd for a 17-day tour to coincide with the Naadam Festival and will give you a chance to stay in traditional huts, ride camels, see the Gobi Desert and experience Mongolian life. The adventure costs from £2,560pps (€2,960). Tel: 00-44-1865-268940 or travelindochina.co.uk.
* SAVE UP to €120pp at the five-star Hilton Vilamoura on the Algarve with Sunway.ie. Prices in June and September have been reduced to €799pps for seven nights on BB basis with flights but book by April 10th. Tel: 01-2311800.
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* JOIN TONY Kirby of Heart of Burren Walks to explore the Burren and see it in spring for the wildflower season. Staying at the Old Ground Hotel in Ennis, Kirby will begin the weekend with a talk on Friday night, then an all day walk on Saturday from Black Head to the Burren coast and a half day walk on Sunday in the National Park. The price from €195pps includes the walks, talks, two nights accommodation, packed lunch and dinner one evening. Available on April 26th, May 6th and May 13th. Tel: 065-6828127.
* THE BAYVIEW Hotel in Ballycotton reopens at Easter with a “seafood sensation weekend” when you get to meet local fishermen at Ballycotton Bay to hear about life on a trawler, and learn how to fillet and prepare fish. Chef Ciaran Scully will give a seafood cookery demonstration. The weekend costs from €165pps for two nights and a seafood dinner. Tel: 021-4646746 or thebayviewhotel.com.
* THE MERRION Hotel and Restaurant Patrick Guilbaud are offering a gourmet deal – €155 a night pps for BB and a four-course tasting menu at the Michelin two-starred restaurant. See merrionhotel.com.
* AFTERNOON TEA with the “Kitchen Hero” is now available in the Westbury Hotel until the end of May. Donal Skehan has devised a menu based onfrom recipes in his book. Afternoon tea including a signed copy of his book costs €40 or stay over for €239 for two. Tel:01-6791122.
* THE INN at Ballilogue near Inistioge in Kilkenny is an inspiring place to learn about photography. Mark McCall will be leading a beginners’ workshop in digital photography from May 27th to 29th. The price from €495pp includes accommodation in the boutique inn, meals and tuition. Tel: 051-423857 or see ballilogueclochan.com.
Please note that all deals are subject to availability