IT'S A FREE WORLD: MARTINHAL, A new five-star resort on the western Algarve (martinhal.com) is offering a two-night package for the Portuguese Mardi Gras that includes a number of freebies.
Mardi Gras, a lively festival with floats, exotic dancers and local entertainment, takes place the week of Shrove Tuesday (March 8th). There are carnival celebrations in the small town of Sagres, a short stroll from Martinhal Resort and other nearby towns such as Loulé.
Two nights in a two-bedroom house costs from €278 for up to four people and includes a mini spa treatment each, free child care and children’s meals, and 20 per cent off additional spa treatments. The free children’s meals are subject to parents ordering full price adults meals at the same time.
Catch: wind-whipped Martinhal Bay won't be everyone's cup of tea.
Take note: the offer is valid for stays between March 4th and 13th. Lauded for its eco-friendly design, the resort offers free childcare at Raposinhos kids club for two hours a day for children up to 23 months and four hours a day for children aged between two and eight years old.
IF YOUtake a Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) cruise with Sunway this year you can get up to $150 (€110) in on-board credit, as well as wine and chocolates, if you book state rooms on selected cruises.
On its seven-night western Mediterranean cruise departing on June 5th – and taking in Barcelona, Livorno, Civitavecchia, Naples and Palma Majorca – an inside cabin costs €735 while a balcony cabin costs €799
Guests get $100 (€73) onboard credit per state room and one bottle of wine.
On the nine-day Baltic capitals cruise departing in June, inside cabins cost €999 while balcony cabins cost €1,325. The cruise takes in Copenhagen, Helsinki, St Petersburg, Tallinn and Nynashamn in Stockholm. Guests here get $150 (€110) worth of on-board credit per state room and a bottle of wine. Prices include return flights, flight taxes, cruise, port taxes, and fees.
Catch: the offer is subject to availability.
Take note: check out sunway.ie or tel 01-2886828 for details of NCL and other cruises.
HEIR ISLANDSailing School in Roaring Water Bay, Skibbereen, west Cork has a special offer for midterm sailing. A day's sailing costs €50, but if you stay for five days you can avail of free Bord Fáilte-approved self-catering accommodation in Roaring Water Lodge.
In June and September there’s free self-catering accommodation for a minimum group or family of four who book a week’s sailing at €250 each. The July rate has been reduced from €280 last year to €250.
Catch: August is the most popular month and last year there was a waiting list.
Take note: in groups of 10 or more, one goes free. Second or more family members may avail of a 10 per cent discount. See heirislandsailingschool.com.
Found a freebie on holiday? Tell me about it. E-mail emorgan@irishtimes.com
