From gulet cruises in Turkey to bargain airfares to Australia,
JOAN SCALEShas the deals of the week
DEAL OF THE WEEK: A week on Italy’s Amalfi Coast: from €699pps
The Sorrento and the Amalfi Coast of Italy is described as one of the world's great drives by National Geographicthis month. Topflight is offering a deal at the Hotel Astoria, in the centre of Sorrento, on June 12th, from Dublin or Belfast. This includes three excursions, exploring Pompeii and Mount Vesuvius and an evening at the Tasso Theatre, from €699pps. Another option is a week half-board at the Hotel Bristol, with a guaranteed sea-view room, from €979pps. www.topflight.ie, 01-2401700.
HOME DEALS
Cork golf for Dad: from €235
Father’s Day is three weeks away, and if Dad plays golf, he might like the Castlemartyr resort, in east Cork. A round of golf, spa, dinner and breakfast costs from €235pps; an extra night is €100 for the room. www.castlemartyrresort.ie, 00800-61363636.
Watch the birdies in Carlow: €160
Or how about a break at Mount Wolseley Hotel and Country Club, in Carlow, where Dad can play golf and relax in the spa? Two nights’ BB with one dinner from €160 midweek or €229 weekends. 059-9180100, www.mountwolseley.ie.
Aslan at Sligo’s Radisson: €89pps
Catch up with Crazy World and Aslan in Sligo on June 12th with a night at the Radisson Blu Hotel and Spa, with a ticket to see the band, from €89pps. www.activitynorthwest.com.
World record golfers needed
Faithlegg needs golfers on Monday June 22nd when they attempt to break the Guinness world record for the most people playing golf on a single course in 24 hours. In aid of the charity First Tee, you can make a night of it with a stay from €78 for BB. www.faithlegg. com, 051-380587.
Two nights of adventure: €149
Killary Adventure Centre, in Connemara, has overnight packages in June for €99pps on Fridays and Saturdays. They include two activities, such as kayaking, laser combat games or gorge walking. Two nights’ dinner, bed and breakfast and activities from €149pps. www.killary.com, 095-43411.
Gourmet break in Mayo: €130pps
Lisloughrey Lodge, near Cong, overlooking Lough Corrib in Co Mayo, is inviting guests to enjoy chef Wade Murphy’s style of cooking. A five-course meal at Salt, plus BB, costs €130pps from Thursday to Sunday. www.lisloughrey.ie, 094-9545400.
Flying break to west Cork: €275
Inchydoney Island Lodge Spa, in west Cork, is making it easy for you to visit by teaming up with Aer Arann to offer flights and transfers from Dublin to Cork. Two nights’ BB from €275pps. www.inchydoneyisland.com, 023-8833143.
OVERSEAS DEALS
Cruise the Turkish coast: from €699
A singles holiday cruising the Turkish coast on a gulet for a week from June 8th is being offered by Friendship Travel. The cost of €699 includes flights from Dublin via Gatwick, full board and ensuite cabin (for sole occupancy). www.friendshiptravel.com, 048-94462211.
Summer in Israel: from €715
From July 14th until the end of August, Sadlier Travel will be operating weekly flights to Tel Aviv. Packages cost from €715pps if you stay in Tel Aviv and from €720 in Nathanya. Fly-drive Kittutz holidays are also available; they allow you to explore Israel from €925pps. Flights only, €450. 01-6788854.
Bargains at British Airways
British Airways is having a summer sale for the next month, with reductions on premium air fares from Ireland until December 13th. Prices include Club World flights to Rio de Janeiro from €2,083, Singapore from €2,212, St Kitts from €1,328 and Sydney from €2,815. First-class flights to Bangkok from €3,870, Barbados from €2,940, Delhi from €1,791 and New York from €2,506. www.ba.com or your local travel agent.
Fly to Australia: €499
Fly to Australia with Malaysia Airlines for €599 – €199 plus taxes of about €400 – between June 1st and July 8th or August 15th and September 30th. Joe Walsh Tours, 01-2410888.
Gran Canaria getaway: €399
Budget Travel is offering short breaks to the Costa del Sol and Gran Canaria on June 20th: three nights on the Costa from €329 or five nights in Gran Canaria from €399. www.budgettravel.ie, 01-6311111.
Caribbean dream: from €1,078
Honeymoon discounts are available from Sandals Resorts in the Caribbean from June to December 2010 if you book by June 10th. A week all-inclusive in Ocho Rios, Jamaica, flying with Virgin Airways from London, costs from €1,078, or a week in Sandals Antigua from €1,309. www.tropicalplaces.ie, 01-4331023.
Last-minute deal to Bulgaria: €399
Travel to Sunny Beach in Bulgaria on Monday for €400pps with Panorama. The World Cup qualifier is in Sofia next Saturday; fans could make their way there for the game. 0818-211211, www.panoramaholidays.ie.
Five nights in Devon: from €336
Explore the coast of south Devon, in England, with a stay in the new luxury At the Beach apartments in Torcross. During June a five-night stay will cost from €336 for a two-bedroom apartment. 00-44-1548843773, www.coastandcountry.co.uk.
Please bear in mind that deals are subject to availability