From partying in the Med all summer long, to long-haul getaways for under a grand, Joan Scaleshas the best of the week's deals
DEAL OF THE WEEK
Find sunshine, golf, tennis and relaxation for Easter in Murcia, Spain, in the Intercontinental La Torre and Mar Menor hotels and golf resorts. Between March 30th and April 10th Irish visitors can enjoy three nights in La Torre from €179pps or in Mar Menor from €209pps. Prices include a meal for two with wine one evening and buffet breakfast each day. 00-34-968- 031973, reservas@polarisworld.com
HOME DEALS
Wined and dined from €195
Food and wine lovers can enjoy an international wine weekend in Renvyle House, hosted by Paolo Tullio. Wine producers from Burgundy, Tuscany, Chile and New Zealand will be on hand for tastings, lectures and a quiz, and on Saturday night there will be a banquet prepared by chef Tim O’Sullivan, all for €195pps. 095-43511, renvyle.com.
Jigs and reels from €110
Get your dancing shoes on for the Set Dancing Festival weekend in the Downhill House Hotel in Ballina from March 5th-7th. Ceilí, country and western and a touch of sean nós are on the plan for the weekend. Two-night stays with dinner one evening from €110pps or three nights from €140pps. 096-21033, downhillhotel.ie.
Fly away to stay from €159
Fly away with Carlton Hotels and Aer Arann and you can have a two-night break in Westport, Kinsale, Galway or Moville from €159pps, including dinner and flights from Dublin. Carlton.ie.
Treat mammy from €125
Treat your mother to a stay in a 300-year-old country mansion. Castle Durrow in Co Laois will make her feel like a queen for the night with a manicure, followed by dinner for €125pps. 057-8736555, castledurrow.com.
Wexford nights from €35
White’s Hotel in Wexford has extended its €35pps midweek special offer until the end of April for the first 10 bookings each day. 053-9122311, whitesofwexford.ie.
Song and dance from €119
Let the Fureys and Davey Arthur serenade your mother on Mother’s Day, March 14th, at the Bridge House Hotel in Tullamore. Dinner, BB and tickets to the show is €119pps. 057-9325600, www.bridgehouse.com.
OVERSEAS DEALS:
Into the Far East from €4,369
Discover Japan, from the ancient capital of Nara to present-day Tokyo, and explore centuries of history and culture on a 12-day trip in April. From Nagano to Kyoto, temples to gardens, this exclusive tour will be led by historians and local guides.
The extensive itinerary will give you more than a feel for Japan. Departing on April 18th, price are from €4,369. 01-2941000, citiescapes.ie.
French family trip from €545
A campsite in France that combines the country side, has lots of activities and yet is less than an hour from Paris and 20 minutes from Disneyland is perfect for exploring families. Camping Le Chene Gris is in the green valley of the Grand Morin, about 55km east of Paris. A week in June for a family in a three-bed mobile will cost from €545 and in July from €844. 021-4272527, frenchholidaycentre.ie.
Party at Club 18-30 from €409
Club 18-30 returns this year. Events this summer include Clubland featuring Cascada, Scooter and Ultrabeat, Hed Kandi will bring the party to Zakynthos, and watch out for the neon raves on Crete, Majorca and Zakynthos. Prices are from €409pps. 0818-214161, panoramaholidays.ie.
Explore London from €109
The new Park Plaza Hotel at Westminster Bridge is opening next month and is now taking bookings. The central location is on London’s South Bank. Opening rates are from €109 with free wifi. Parkplaza.com.
Exotic options from €1,000
Trailfinders has five exotic holidays for under €1,000 between May and July. Choose from a week in Barbados, a self-drive trip to California for eight days with hotels, four nights of luxury in Dubai, a week in the tropics in Thailand or combine Las Vegas and a Mexican Riviera cruise over 11 days. 01-8814994, 021-4648888, trailfinders.ie.
Please bear in mind that all deals are subject to availability