How about seeing in the new millennium in a different way? Can you see yourself on a beautiful white sandy beach sipping Pina Coladas, watching the sun rise on the new era? Does Goa sound like the venue? Goa Way has the ultimate break, two weeks in the sun at a luxury three-star resort with air conditioning and pool. The millennium promises to be an explosive affair with fireworks, music and Bollywood stars. Two weeks from £999 sterling, travelling from Gatwick on December 30th. Details from: 0044 171 224 7070.
Ireland's number one Hallowe'en Carnival kicks off again this year in Derry next Friday for a weekend of music and fun. Friday night will also be the launch of the millennium celebrations, with the ESB millennium drum starting it off. Stars appearing in the course of the weekend include, Frances Black, Sharon Shannon, the Georgia Mudcats, NV Band and 2Xtreme. Hallowe'en on Sunday will be a huge family fun day with boy bands, fireworks and a fancy dress ball. Details from Northern Ireland Tourism on callsave 1850 230230; or Derry City Council: 080 1504 365151.
There is winter sun availability with Panorama to Lanzarote from £339 per person and to Gran Canarai from £329 - Fuerteventura and Tenerife are also available from the same price.
Christmas is coming and here are a few ways to spend it. Hayfield Manor, the country house hotel in Cork city, begins its programme on Christmas Eve with afternoon tea, followed by dinner and ending with midnight Mass in St Finbarre's. The following days pass with great food, music and using the leisure facilities at the hotel. The cost is from £465 per person. Brochure from Hayfield Manor, Perrott Avenue, College Road, Cork, tel: 021 315600.
Tinakilly House in Wicklow brings a Dickens theme to its Christmas house party. This will be the last Christmas with William and Bee Power, the engaging hosts of Tinakilly for many years. The nostalgic ambience will be created in this original 19th-century house with readings from Dickens, and a Victorian Fancy dress dinner. The food will be up to the usual highest standards of Tinakilly, prices from £398. Details from Tinakilly House, Rathnew, Co Wicklow, 0404 69274.
The Travel Department, they can offer you Christmas in Italy, at Lake Garda from £539. The cost includes return flights from Dublin to Milan, with accommodation at the four-star Hotel Liberty, a gala Christmas lunch and tours to Verona and Venice. For the little ones in your life, the Travel Department has day-trips on December 18th and 19th to Lapland to visit Santaland. The cost is from £289 for an action-packed day. Details from The Travel Department, 51 Main Street, Donnybrook, Dublin 4, tel: 01 260 2431.
The offer at the Riverside Park Hotel, Enniscorthy mentioned last week for weekend breaks in the new year is for groups of 20 or more.