Deal of the Week:Still time to book a holiday home getaway for Christmas and the New Year with Trident Holiday Homes where prices have been reduced by 10-15 per cent. Short breaks are available from €285 and full weeks from €385. Dingle is sold out but there is availability across a range of houses around the country with many in coastal locations. Tel: 01-2018440 or see tridentholidayhomes.ie.
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RING IN the New Year with some great five-star, five-night offers from Stein Travel. Dublin to Portugal from €549pps; Costa del Sol from €669; Lanzarote from €899; and Cork to Portugal from €579. All prices are based on two sharing and include flights, luxury hotel accommodation, taxes and transfers. Tel: 1890-408408 or steintravel.ie.
EXPERIENCE NEW Year in Italy with The Travel Department, flying from Dublin to Milan with Aer Lingus on December 29th, for a week in the Grand Hotel Liberty at Riva del Garda. The trip will include seven nights with a New Year’s Eve dinner. Guided tours to Venice, Verona and lakeside towns also included in the price from €899pps. There is some availability for Christmas in Lake Garda flying on December 23rd from Dublin. See thetraveldepartment.ie or tel 01-6371600.
SKI SOME of the best resorts in the French Alps with Club Med from March 26th. Les Deux Alpes, Peisey-Vallandry and Avoriaz are the destinations for all-inclusive trips from Ireland. Prices include flights, accommodation, all meals, drinks, ski lessons and childcare from nursery to teenagers, from €1,436pps. See clubmedsunway.ie or tel 01-2366800.
SQUEEZE IN a ski weekend in the Swiss Alps. Staying in Chalet Aravis that sleeps 10 and skiing La Clusaz and Grand Bornand resorts which are easy to get to from the chalet. Pick up in Geneva with a lift pass and welcome pack costs from £350pps (about €410). See skiweekender.com or tel 00-44-1202-661865.
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THERE MAY still be snow on the Bluestack Mountains over Christmas, making a lovely backdrop for Harvey’s Point Hotel’s festive season. Enjoy a luxury Christmas break with great food and entertainment from €749pps for three nights. To tempt you further, they are throwing in an extra night BB for free. See harveyspoint.com or tel 074-9722208.
RING IN the New Year in fantastic style at the K Club in Kildare. Book in on December 30th for dinner and on New Year’s Eve the fun will be at a black tie gala ball with fireworks and entertainment. The two-day extravaganza costs €850pps and there will be lots of activities during the days. Gala ball tickets for non-residents are €175. See kclub.ie or tel 01-6017200.
WALK IN the New Year at the Killarney Walking Festival that runs from December 30th to January 2nd with Go Ireland guides. Everyone welcome from beginners to Carrauntoohil champions. Stay the weekend in the Randles Court Hotel with a gala dinner on New Year’s Eve, packed lunches and transfers to the walks from €299pps. See randlescourt.com or tel 066-9762094.
ENJOY A last-minute stay at the Pembroke Townhouse to squeeze in the final round of shopping in Dublin from €118 for two. Tel: 01-6600277 or see pembroketownhouse.ie. If they are full the nearby stylish Dylan hotel is offering dinner with overnight for €142.50pps. Tel: 01-6603000 or dylan.ie.
TAKE THE family for a magical Christmas stay in the five-star Culloden Estate, Belfast. Arrive on Christmas Eve in time for mince pies and hot drinks followed by dinner and entertainment. Christmas Day will have entertainment over lunch with Dougie Breslin and The Professional Rat Pack Tribute Act. The two-night break for two adults and two children costs from £780 (about €912) per room. See hastingshotels.com or tel 048-90421066.
THE MILLENNIUM Forum in Derry has Sleeping Beautyon until January 8th, and it's a fun take on the traditional tale. Take the family for a stay in the Tower Hotel with dinner one evening from £55pps (about €65)pps. Tel: 1850-230230 or see tower hotel derry.com.