From camping in Kenya to a trio of Ireland's luxury hotels,
JOAN SCALEShas the best of the week's offers
DEAL OF THE WEEK
Cruise around Britain: from €1,914
Spirit of Adventureis cruising around Britain and Ireland this summer, with stops to visit some extraordinary gardens, as well as to see some stunning scenery. It could be perfect if you dislike flying, as the ship will pick up in Dublin on June 13th and the return from Dover will be by private coach. Ten days costs from €1,914pps. Contact John Galligan Travel: 01-2076555, jgt.ie.
HOME DEALS
3-night luxury tour: €960 for 2
A trio of Relais Châteaux hotels has teamed up to offer a three-stop tour. A night each at Sheen Falls Lodge, in Co Kerry, Cliff House Hotel, in Co Waterford, and Marlfield House, in Co Wexford, costs €960 for two, including dinner, bed and breakfast and a glass of champagne on arrival. Call Marlfield on 053-9421124, Cliff House on 024-87800 or Sheen Falls on 064-6641600.
Lisdoonvarna offer: €129
Sheedy’s Country House Hotel, in Lisdoonvarna, Co Clare, reopens on Thursday with an offer of two nights’ bed and breakfast with dinner one evening for €129pps. There is some availability over Easter. 065-7074026, sheedys.com.
Parknasilla deal: €288 for 2
Parknasilla Resort, near Sneem in Co Kerry, reopens this week with some offers. Two nights’ bed and breakfast and one dinner costs €288 for two, or opt for three nights with dinner on two evenings for €438 for two. parknasillahotel.ie/special.
Family Westport: €488 for 4
Take the children to Westport for a fun few days in Co Mayo over Easter and it shouldn’t break the bank if you stay at Hotel Westport. From this weekend until April 11th, three nights’ bed and breakfast and dinner one evening for two adults and two children costs from €488 to €518. The price include use of the Panda children’s club and three hours’ bike hire for the family. 1850-536373, hotelwestport.ie.
Trim Easter nights: €230 for 2
Trim, in Co Meath, could be a great place to take the family over Easter for its hot-air- balloon festival (trimballoon fiesta.com). Over the long weekend from Good Friday until Easter Monday the skies over the town will be alive with 20 monster balloons. Trim Castle Hotel has a two-night package for two, including dinner one night, from €230. 046-9483000, trimcastlehotel.com.
OVERSEAS DEALS
Kenyan luxury camping: €1,169
You can see the stars from a luxury tent on the beach in Kenya. A week on Gazi Bay, in Gazi Retreat, lets you explore the coastline, snorkel and fish. From €1,169pps for departures on April 12th. 01-5262566, 068-56888, africasky.ie.
Cinque Terre tour: from €945
If you’ve always wanted to visit the Cinque Terre, in Italy, there’s a seven-day tour from April 14th. Staying at the Lido Palace, in Liguria, you’ll have two days’ walking tours from Camogli to Portofino and from Monterosso to Riomaggiore. Also included are trips to Florence and Pisa. From €945pps. 01-6371600, thetravel department.ie.
All-in Caribbean: from €1,050
Book by March 31st for an all-inclusive holiday in the Dominican Republic in May or June, flying via Paris with Air France. Staying at the five-star Dreams La Romana resort, the holiday costs from €1,050pps, including taxes. 0818-332515, classicresorts.ie.
Algarve resort: from €135 a night
Longevity Wellness is a resort that opens in the hills of Monchique, in the Algarve, next month. Its spa offers medical and other treatments, and there’s also golf. Opening prices from €135 per night. longevitywellnessresort.com.
Majorca in April: from €360
Falcon has Lanzarote from Dublin and Cork on April 18th from €380pps; Gran Canaria from Dublin from €435; and Majorca from Shannon on May 4th from €360pps. 1850-453545, falconholidays.ie.
North Africa: from €349
April offers from Sunway include a week in Morocco from €349pps, Tunisia from €349pps , Fuerteventura from €479 and Madeira from €639. 01-2311888, sunway.ie.
Please bear in mind that all deals are subject to availability