Salsa, mambo, merengue - have you being learning them? Cuban dance is the latest rage but you really need to go there to experience the beat. Combine the music with palm-fringed tropical beaches, rum cocktails and a relaxed, Afro-Caribbean atmosphere and you have all the ingredients for a memorable holiday. Cubatravel has been organising packages for many years and has now extended its range of places to stay. The ideal holiday in Cuba is one that takes in the capital, Havana, and a beach location. Pick up their brochure at your local ITAA agent or ring 01 6713422. Prices to Cuba with the national carrier, Cubana, are cheaper than the Air France option.
If you have made no plans for Easter yet, then consider Irish Ferries's offer of a car and four passengers for £129 for a five-day break to France. The trip allows two nights on board ship and two nights on shore. Accommodation is extra. While you are there, stock up on wine and cheese and make the trip pay for itself.
Summer still seems a long way off but Falcon Holidays has launched its wintersun programme. There is a selection of special offers for bookings made before May 19th, such as discounts for couples and free child places.
Iarnrod Eireann Railbreaks has an extensive range of short holiday breaks by rail and many prices this year remain at 1999 levels. Best value has to be a threeday break to the Aran Islands for £62 or the new Shannon Key West Hotel at Roosky for £69. Trips to Belfast with two nights in Jurys Hotel cost £90. Family value is excellent with five-day midweek breaks at Trabolgan Leisure Centre for £260. A week in Corrib Village, Galway will cost from £270. There are family day trips to go to Dublin zoo for £60 and to Cobh for £45. A family can mean one or two adults and up to four children under 16. Brochures from your nearest Intercity Rail station or 35 Lower Abbey Street, Dublin 1, 01 7031839.
DFDS, in association with Stena Line, is offering two cruise-breaks on May 6 and 18 respectively. Travel on the HSS to Holyhead and onwards across Britain to Newcastle-Upon-Tyne to board the Admiral of Scandinavia for the overnight cruise to Amsterdam. The following morning you will take in a city tour and the remainder of the day is free to explore. The trip returns that night to Newcastle and on to Dun Laoghaire. The cost is £119 each and includes cabin and breakfast both days. Bookings with Stena Line on 01 2047733 or with your local travel agent.
May special offers from Sunway Travel for Morocco include Farah Apartments at £299 for one week and four-star Agadir Beach Club for £439. Budget Travel special offers include Costa Del Sol, Ibiza and Kos at £239 for one week. Majorca at £249, one week. Orlando, £389 and Mexico, £399 with seat only for £299.
Joan Scales can be contacted at jscales@irish-times.ie