Just when you start believing that everything has been sold out for months, comes the good news that there are still holidays left in a beautiful Mediterranean location. Sicily offers sunshine, chic resorts, quiet beaches, great food influenced by Arabic heritage, rugged mountains, winding streets, bustling cities and Mount Etna, the largest volcano in Europe. Sunway Travel has availability for family holidays from £1,399 for two adults and one child and £1,799 for two adults and two children in hotel accommodation. Flights direct from Dublin to Catania. Details from (01) 288 6828.
Have you tried making bookings on the Internet? Traveldirect, the Irish travel website, has added a new dimension to its site with Hibernet. You can surf the site, spot bargains and then fill in a form. Someone will call you back at a time that suits you. Special offers include New York for £290, Los Angeles for £355, Bangkok £490 and Sydney £570. You can also order cars and insurance. Find the site at traveldirect.ie or callsave 1850 707144.
Aer Rianta has jumped the gun on the ending of duty free - putting up car parking charges in the short term car-park at Dublin Airport from £7 to £12, a colossal 71 per cent increase. Perhaps it's not the duty free revenue it is trying to replace but solving the parking problems by making it too expensive!!!
Alan Lynch Travel has established quite a niche in the short breaks market and its Summer 99 brochure is well worth a look. Despite the strength of sterling, short holidays to Britain are still good value. Two-nights bed and breakfast in London, including flights, from £140 and provincial cities from £128. In association with Superbreaks UK, the company can also offer you hotels in over 300 locations in England, Scotland and Wales. In July and August a weekend stay in Jury's Kensington will include Sunday night free. Call (01) 670 8877 for more details or email tours@alanlynch.com
Jury's Hotel in Waterford has some great summer family value. A three-night stay costs £195 per adult and £136 per child and includes bed, breakfast, and dinner, Junior club, babysitting and extensive leisure facilites. (051) 832111
British Midland, keeping up with its trend of opening as many new routes into Europe as possible, brought Budapest closer to us from May 31st. Flights from Dublin will coincide nicely with onwards flights to the Hungarian capital and, with prices from £254, it could be well worth a visit. You can book through your local travel agent.
If you near Derry this weekend why not visit the first Ever Good Health Fair at Magee College. You can find out all about iridology, aromatheraphy, aura analysis, empowerment and more and get some ideas on a healthier life. The fair is on from 10 am - 7 pm today and 11 am - 7 pm tomorrow.