Go Last Minute

From cut-price Melbourne flights  to a romantic break in Paris in February, JOAN SCALEShas the best of the week's offers

DEAL OF THE WEEK

Long haul destinations: from €299

Between now and March is usually the cheapest time of year to travel by air, particularly long haul. E-Travel has a selection of offers if you’re planning a trip, such as Las Vegas with Delta from €389, Melbourne with Etihad from €1,087, Johannesburg with Iberia from €560, Dubai with Lufthansa from €299 and Bangkok with Jet Airways from €648. Taxes included. 01-4081999, e-travel.ie.

OVERSEAS DEALS:

Paris in February: from €579pps

February is one of the best months to get a great deal in Paris. On February 3rd and 18th Citiescapes has trips to the City of Light from Dublin and Cork for three nights for €579pps. The price includes full-board accommodation on a river cruiser, a tour of Paris by bus and tours of Sacre Coeur and Montmartre. 01-2941000, citiescapes.ie.

Marry abroad: from €7,500

If you got engaged over Christmas and are thinking of getting married abroad, check out the deals available at Foreign Afares. Host your wedding reception in a small luxury hotel near Mijas, on Spain’s Costa del Sol, and the package will include all that you need for your special day, as well as the honeymoon suite for the couple. For 50 guests, the price starts at €7,500. 021-4278999, foreignafares.ie.

Falcon flights to Corfu and Turkey

Falcon Holidays has added Corfu and Turkey to its destinations for this year, as well as increasing flights to other popular destinations. Prices start at €259pps for a week in Costa del Sol. falconholidays.ie.

World Cup deals: from €2,760

We might not have made it to the World Cup in South Africa, but if you want to go anyway, now is the time to book. Thomson Sport has a range of packages, with tickets for all matches, starting at £2,449 (€2,750). There are also accommodation-only options. thomsonsport.com.

Week on the piste: from €970

Val d’Isère is renowned as one of the best French ski regions. The price for a week there with Highlife, including half-board, ski-guiding and airport transfers, is €970 for adults and €802 for children under 12. 01-6771100, highlife.ie.

HOME DEALS

Adventure weekend: €449

The movie Where the Wild Things Aremay have captured the children's imagination over the holidays, but you can give them the real experience at Delphi Mountain Resort. A family weekend package including accommodation, dinner one evening and a half day's indoor or outdoor adventures, cost from €449. 095-42208, delphimountainresort.ie.

Leisurely night in Dublin: €84.50

Treat yourself and a friend to a night in Dublin, staying at the Herbert Park Hotel, while maybe taking in a concert or an exhibition. Begin the evening with Prosecco and canapes, followed by dinner. Breakfast can be served in your room until noon, and late checking out is at 2pm. The price is €84.50pps. 01-6672200, herbertparkhotel.ie.

St Valentine’s ball and night: €129

Romance will be in the air soon, and if you didn’t make it to the ball over Christmas you can get there on February 13th for the Valentine’s Ball at Barberstown Castle, in Co Kildare. The ball, which will be held in the banqueting hall, includes dancing to the Long John Jump Band. Tickets €55 each, or stay the night for €129pps. 01- 6288157, barberstowncastle.ie.

Family outing to ice hockey game

The LBM Belfast Giants ice-hockey team are playing the Sheffield Steelers at the Odyssey in Belfast on Saturday, January 9th. Hotels with family rooms for the night include Jurys Inn, Holiday Inn and the Ramada Encore. Bookings through Northern Ireland Tourist Board on 1850-230230, discover northernireland.com.

Escape to the midlands: €99pps

Why not try the midlands for a quick escape? The Prince of Wales Hotel in Athlone, which has just had a designer makeover, is offering two nights’ bed and breakfast and one dinner, with a complimentary bottle of wine, from €99pps. 0906-476666, theprinceofwales.ie.

Please bear in mind that all deals are subject to availability