Travel Briefs

Looking for ideas for a quiet few days away, somewhere different and picturesque? Take your pick from two new brochures, Manor House Hotels Coast & Country and Village Inn Hotels . The Manor House selection includes an ancient castle Georgian manors or even a converted shooting lodge. All the hotels are in the country house style and dotted mostly round the coast. The other brochure is a selection of smaller hotels, all located in scenic areas. Many of the hotels offers special rates for two- and three-night breaks. Brochure from (01) 295 8900 or email: cmv@indigo.ie.

Matt and Jeanette Connolly were avid sailors and for the last three years they worked as skipper and cook on a Hooker. This year with their own boat Connemara Rose , they are now captain and first officer and would like you to join them for sailing holidays round Ireland, even if you have never sailed before. They will be taking visitors every week until the end of October. From August 15th to September 4th they will be doing a Round Ireland Sail, 900 nautical miles, which will include the Tall Ships in Dublin. If you would like to hear more of their unusual holidays phone Jeanette Connolly on (095) 32553 or 086 823 6406.

Due to the demand for flights to Malta this summer an extra scheduled weekly direct flight will operate for July and August leaving Dublin early on Tuesday mornings. Not surprising since Malta is a good value destination far from the madness of other Mediterranean resorts. Delta Travel (01) 874 7666 have a selection of packages for the summer. One week at the four star Coastline Hotel full board costs £399. One week at the five star Baypoint Resort costs from £489. If you prefer self-catering then the Topaz Aparthotel costs from £359 per week, with its excellent facilities, would suit. Malta is renowned for its friendly people, sandy beaches and beautiful scenery.

If you are travelling through Britain at this time of the year be sure to get the Britain's Gardens map from the British Tourist Authority in College Green, Dublin 2, (01 670 8000). You might have time to visit one of the spectacular gardens dotted all over Britain from Inverewe Gardens Highlands right down to Tresco Abbey gardens on the Scilly Isles. My choice would be to see the lost gardens of Heligan, near St Austell in Cornwal, scene of the largest garden restoration project in Europe started in 1991. Among the discoveries are rockeries, summer houses, a crystal grotto, an Italian garden, walled gardens and a sub-tropical valley. You wonder how they could have lost all this? But go there to find the answer.

While you are in the BTA office you might like to pick up one of their bed and breakfast touring maps, which also include camping and caravanning sites. There are 10 different maps covering Britain.

Don't forget the Northern Ireland Tourist Board promotion will run all summer, prices are from £49 per person for a two-night break. Call for a brochure or to book on 1850 230 230.