From a Creole festival in Mauritius to a night at a castle, Joan Scales has the week's best offers
Home Breaks
Kenmare stay and swim: €560
Park Hotel Kenmare, in Co Kerry, has installed a stainless-steel 25m swimming pool, so how about learning to swim in one of the nicest hotels in the southwest? It has a great swimming instructor who will take people for one-to-one lessons. Two nights' bed and breakfast, with dinner one night and swimming tuition, from €560 per person sharing. www.parkkenmare.com, 064-41200.
Fly off for the night: from €119
Aer Arann has teamed up with hotels around the country in destinations its flies to in order to bring customers some offers that sound like great value. Derry's Best Western White Horse Hotel costs £85 (about €105) per person sharing for two nights' bed and breakfast with one evening meal and a £25 (about €30) voucher for Foyleside shopping centre. Book on www.whitehorsehotel.biz. The Glasshouse, in Sligo, is offering two nights' bed and breakfast and a bottle of wine for €95 per person sharing. Book on 071-9194300. In Cork, Jurys Hotel costs €119 per night, including breakfast and a bottle of wine. Book on 021-4252700.
2 nights' BB in D4: €99pps
If you're wondering whether you should come to Dublin for some Christmas shopping, you might be persuaded by this offer. You can stay in D4, at Pembroke Townhouse, on Pembroke Street. You'll be able to park the car and walk into town. Two nights' bed and breakfast costs €99 per person sharing. www.pembroke townhouse.ie, 01-6600277.
Temple Bar offer: from €45
If you work in Dublin and have an office party coming up, you might be interested in an offer from River House Hotel, on Eustace Street in Temple Bar. It has single rooms for €45, doubles for €70 and triples for €110 per night from Sunday to Thursday. www.riverhouse hotel.com, 01-6707655.
Romantic break: from €195pps
If you've time to squeeze in a romantic getaway, Kilronan Castle, in Ballyfarnon, Co Roscommon, is offering a night's stay, with champagne and chocolates before dinner, from €195 each. 071-9647771 and www.kilronancastle.ie.
Overseas Breaks
Caribbean solo escape: €2,290
If you're a solo traveller, you can escape in January to some lovely Caribbean resorts with Tropical Sky. The Body Holiday spa, at Le Sport Hotel in St Lucia, is a lovely resort for enjoying a great range of activities. Communal tables at mealtimes are available, as are BodyGuards - activity and social co-ordinators - if you would like one-to-one company. Daily spa treatments are included in the all-inclusive price of €2,290. The operator also has great value in Tobago and Grenada, with prices from €1,390 per person. www.tropicalsky.ie, 01-5262566 and 068-56800.
London shops: €130pps
The newest shopping mall to open in the British capital is Westfield London, in west Kensington, which houses all the top designer names. It is right beside the K West Hotel Spa, which is offering a shopping package that includes an overnight stay, full breakfast, a glass of champagne, a manicure and use of spa facilities for £109 (about €130) per person. www.k-west.co.uk, 00-44-20- 80086600.
Spanish parador: from €1,295
Fancy escaping the Irish winter with a week at the paradors - or state-run hotels in historic building - in Mazagon, on the Costa de la Luz, and Malaga? There's the added attraction of a visit to Doñana National Park, a World Heritage site, and a night in Seville during the pre-Lent Carnival. You can also sign up for golf if you wish. Prices from €1,295. Details from www.lornaroberts holidays.com, 095-23511.
Lapland deals: from €549
Falcon Holidays has reduced the prices of its trips to Lapland by up to €260 per person. Day trips now cost from €619 for adults and €549 for children, departing on December 6th from Dublin. Thee-night breaks on December 11th start at €799 for adults and €699 for children. www.falconholidays.ie, 1850-453545.
Canaries week: from €179
You could snap up some great value next weekend from Budget Travel, with a week in Gran Canaria and Tenerife, in the Canaries, from €179, and two weeks from €279. Holidays on their sister islands of Lanzarote and Fuerteventura are available from €199 for a week or two weeks. Flights only to all the islands from €159 return. www.budgettravel.ie, 01-6311111.
Mauritius break: from €1,422pps
The International Creole Festival is on in Mauritius from December 6th to 13th. John Galligan Travel has a six-night festival package, staying at La Mauricia Hotel, half-board, from €1,422pps. www.jgt.ie, 01-2076555.
Deal of the Week
Galway girlie getaway: from €159 per person sharing
Spoil the favourite ladies in your life with the ultimate girlie getaway in Galway. The House Hotel and Brown Thomas are offering what could be a fantastic shopping break for the festive season. Two nights' accommodation in a Classy or Swanky room (above), dinner in the Parlour Grill, breakfast in bed, free movies, a €50 Brown Thomas gift card, a mini-makeover at one of the beauty counters and a personal shopper to help you find a Christmas outfit. Midweek breaks from €159 per person sharing; weekends from €190pps. www.thehousehotel.ie, 091-538900.
Please bear in mind that offers are subject to availability