A group of us would like to go to Manchester as this is the last year you can visit the set of Coronation Street. We would like to also go shopping and sight- seeing. Would you be able to advise on the best way to do this as currently there seem to be good packages available with some tour operators to travel by coach. However, on checking the Aer Lingus website the flights to Manchester are very reasonable. CS, Dublin
The coach tour packages with Celtic Horizon Tours are good value as they will pick people up at various locations around the country. The price includes ferry transport to Manchester with two nights' hotel accommodation and the tour of Coronation Street. It also includes a tour of Emmerdale village and a half day shopping at the Trafford Centre from around €239 per person sharing. See celtichorizontours.com.
If flying, your costs would be from €20 to €60 with Aer Lingus or Ryanair. Try to avoid match weekends as the prices can be higher. Travellodge.co.uk has super cheap hotels rooms for less than £40 per room only.
Tickets to the Coronation Street Tour cost €17 each and can be bought on ticketmaster.co.uk. See also coronationstreettour.co.uk. You will have to add in the cost of transport from the airport and to the tour location. See visitmanchester.com for tourism information.
We would like to go to Barcelona in August for our wedding anniversary. Could you please provide some information as to flights and accommodation, the latter being in an old-world, three-star hotel? We have a limited budget. JFC, Cork
Aer Lingus has a direct service to Barcelona three days a week: Wednesday, Friday and Sunday. Fares will be almost €300 each, but if you could postpone your trip to September the fares drop by half. Looking at aerlinguspackages.com, a three-night break in a three-star hotel will cost from €440 to €500 each in August, €290 to €340 each in September.
Old-world, three-star hotels in Barcelona are about €100 to €150 per room per night. You could look at NH Barcelona Diagonal Center and NH Eixample, the Continental Palacete and BCN Urban Gran Ducat. All of these can be booked on hotels.com, booking.com and lastminute.com, or through your local travel agent.
I am a single 41-year-old who would like to go on holidays. I would like a bit of sun and I enjoy meeting people – I don't want to be totally on my own. I love cycling and a bit of sightseeing. CW, Dublin
There is one Irish company that has realised that there are a lot of people who for various reasons take holidays on their own: the Travel Department. The solo- friendly range of trips has greatly expanded this year and you can choose from city breaks, sun holidays or long-haul exploration.
The holidays tend to be outside the main season. This autumn you could go for a week to the Algarve from €459, Estoril and the Lisbon Coast from €669, Andalusia from €879 and Dubrovnik from €799. There is no single supplement and all the holidays include a number of excursions and day trips. See traveldepartment.ie, tel 01-6371650.
In Northern Ireland, friendshiptravel.com has an extensive range of trips for lone travellers. They are strong in Turkey and Greece and offer a number of resorts and activities. Some of the holidays are like house parties and can be a fun way to make new friends. They can book you from Irish airports.
Please send your queries to jscales@irishtimes.com