From a two-week cruise in the Caribbean to a trip to a Dublin fashion extravaganza, Joan Scaleshas the week's best offers
DEAL OF THE WEEK
Stunning views of Clew Bay from the dining room and the swimming pool: €179 for two nights' B&B The Park Inn in Mulrany, Co Mayo, says it will make a stay next month worthwhile, with afternoon tea and a voucher for €30 per booking towards a spa treatment. Two nights' bed and breakfast, with dinner on one night, costs €179 per person sharing in September. 098-36000, www.parkinnmulranny.ie
HOME BREAKS
Fashion break: €399pps
Ladies hear this. Custom Ireland, a travel and event specialist, is offering exclusive packages for next weekend's Style in the City fashion and beauty extravaganza in Dublin. Two nights' accommodation at the four-star Castleknock Hotel & Country Club, with dinner on one evening, three in-house beauty treatments and a Style in the City fashion party and Trinny & Susannah Style Academy tickets costs €399 per person sharing. 01-6752248, www.custom ireland.com/style-city.htm.
Gastro Wicklow: from €110
In Co Wicklow, the autumn season of cookery classes begins at Ballyknocken House Cookery School on October 4th with a class focusing on soups, stews and autumn puds. The course costs €110. Or you could enrol in the three-day Delicious Dinner Party course and have four cookery sessions, plus breakfast, lunch and dinner on two days, for €450 per person sharing. Call 0404-44627 or see www.ballyknocken.com.
Cider tasting in Kerry: €185
RTÉ's Afternoon Showdrinks connoisseur, Chris Hill, will be hosting a gourmet cider event at the Muckross Park Hotel in Killarney, Co Kerry, on Saturday September 27th for malophiliacs (lovers of apples). A one-night stay with breakfast, ticket to the tasting and dinner will cost €185 per person sharing. Call 064-23400 or see www.muckrosspark.com.
Release your inner artist
Trudi Doyle continues her painting courses in Co Carlow with two events during the autumn. Next month, Beyond Realism, aimed at improvers, will explore the use of mixed media. In October the Landscape in Three Colours, suitable for beginners, will help your painting skills. The courses cost €180. Details from 059-9156299.
Northern Ireland hotel offers
Autumn offers at Hastings hotels range from £60 (about €75) to £75 (about €95) per person sharing for bed and breakfast. Choose from the Slieve Donard or Culloden hotels, both with great spas, or Ballygally Castle, in Armagh, the Stormont or Europa Hotels, in Belfast, and the Everglades, in Derry. See www.hastings hotels.com for details and bookings.
OVERSEAS BREAKS
Caribbean cruise: from €1,244
A Caribbean cruise just before Christmas may be just the thing to chase the winter blues away. Fred Olsen's Braemar will be sailing out of Miami on November 27th for two weeks, returning on December 11th. Prices have been reduced: they now start at €1,244, including flights from Dublin. Details from your local travel agent and Fred Olsen Cruise Lines on 01-2482833.
Wales weekend: from €260pps
Enjoy a weekend in Wales with day trips to visit Snowdonia and Chester, and spend your evening at a cabaret. Stena Line has weekend packages staying at the Grand Hotel, Llandudno, from October 24th from €260 per person sharing. The price includes coach travel from Dublin and day trips during your stay. Book on 01-2047733 quoting A342 or on www.stenaline.ie/cabaret.
London hotels: from €125
Guoman Hotels has taken over some famous London hotels and refurbished them. The Cumberland at Marble Arch, the Charing Cross Hotel and the Tower at Tower Bridge have all been upgraded. They have rates from £99 (about €125). www.guoman.com.
Falcon Holidays: from €329
September deals with Falcon Holidays include, from Dublin, a week in Cap Salou, Spain, from €329. From Cork a week in Majorca from €389. From Shannon a week in the Algarve from €359. From Kerry a week in Majorca, for two adults and two children, from €1,436. From Knock a week on the Costa del Sol from €359. Call 1850-453545 or see www.falconholidays.ie.
Lufthansa deals: from €459
Special-offer fares from Lufthansa include Hong Kong from €459, Beijing from €752 and San Francisco from €579. Prices include taxes and can be booked by September 28th for travel up to the end of March 2009. www.lufthansa.com.
Classic cars in Lake Garda
Vintage car lovers may be tempted to visit the Trentino classic-car festival taking place in Lake Garda, Italy, from September 17th to 21st. Inghams can whisk you there with a stay at Hotel Catullo, in Sirmione, from €880pps half-board. Call 01-6611377 or see www.inghams.ie.
Florida family package: €3,338
Even though schools have only just gone back, mid-term is looming if you're thinking of going away. If you plan to spend it in Florida, Sunway has a package for families. Fly on October 24th for seven nights in Orlando, staying at the Holiday Inn International Drive. The package includes return flights with Delta, accommodation, mid-size fully inclusive car hire for the week, taxes and fuel surcharges, based on two adults and two under-12s. From €3,338 per family. See www.sunway.ie or call 01-2311800.
Yorkshire Titanic treatment: €182
Titanic, an ecospa in Yorkshire, will help you lighten up with a radiance-boosting treat. A facial, spa treat and full use of Club Titanic, a spa apartment and dinner in the Bistro, costs £145 (about €182). For details see www.titanicspa.com or call 00-44-845-4103333.