By JOAN SCALES
DEAL OF THE WEEK
Go global at Claregalway Hotel and become a silver surfer who can tweet, Skype and Facebook your friends and use a digital camera. During September, October, December, January and February the hotel will run three-day courses (including three nights B&B), Sundays to Wednesdays, with social media tuition, breakfast, lunch, dinner and entertainment each evening, from €199pps. Book before October 1st and there is no single supplement. Tel: 091- 738300 or claregalwayhotel.ie.
AWAY
CITIZENM, THE Dutch low cost hotel chain, opened its first overseas property in Glasgow this month. With rooms for £49 (about €59) per night the hotel trades on its affordable luxury. All rooms have king size beds, high-tech wireless internet, mood changing lights and power showers. CitizenM is coming to London next year too. citizenm.com.
LEARN THE art of drawing with artist Aengus Dewar in the surrounds of the lovely Villa San Rocco near Pisa. The week long course will include tuition in the backbone of art, accommodation, breakfast and dinner each day, transfers from Pisa airport and tours to Lucca and Florence. Price from €1,200pp, single rooms available. Course dates October 31st to November 7th, and November 7th to 14th. Tel: 087-7675389 or email aengusdewar@gmail.com.
TRAVELLING ALONE? Visit Prague on a three-day trip from October 1st with the Travel Department and you will have lots of company. Staying in the four-star Clarion Hotel, the trip includes guided tours, and an evening boat trip, with time to explore on your own, too. Price €529. Tel: 01-6371600 or thetraveldepartment.ie.
TIME TO think ski and plan for this winter's season. Crystalski has everything you need for a week on the slopes with prices from €499pps including flights, ski hire, accommodation, and lift passes. Tel: 01-4331080 or crystalski.ie.
COMBINE THE excitement of Orlando with a beach break at St Petersburg/Clearwater with 35 miles of sand. A 12-day two centre break will cost from €765pps based on four with car hire for six days. Sunway.ie or tel 01-2886828.
HOME
EXPLORE THE Antrim coast and northeast corner of Ireland on a fun break in the Culloden Hotel and Ballygally Castle. Hastings Hotels has come up with a package that includes a chauffeur driven fun car (Mustang, General Lee, Beetle convertible or a New York taxi) - with a picnic. The two-night stay also includes dinner in both hotels, afternoon tea in Ballygally Castle, a tour of Bushmills distillery, and a bottle of champagne. It costs from £360pps (about €435). Tel: 048-90471066 and hastingshotels.com.
THE BEACON Hotel in Sandyford is welcoming girls for an overnight style-counsel visit, to indulge their love of shopping. From Tuesday to Friday you get a two-hour session with a personal shopper in Dundrum Town Centre, transfers included. A lovely room, dinner in My Thai, breakfast and a late check-out to 2pm costs €95pps. Visit thebeacon.com.
FIND SOME real luxury with the finest sheets, fluffy pillows and downy duvets at the Doonbeg Golf resort in Co Clare. This month, two nights B&B and dinner one evening costs €230pps. See doonbeggolfclub.com.
FOTA ISLAND Hotel and Spa has a two-night, dinner one evening and a massage or facial deal from €229pps. Tel: 021-4883700 and fotaisland.ie.
STAY IN Your Home from Home apartments in Dublin from €90 per night for a two-bed place that sleeps four. Cheaper than a hostel. Tel: 01-6781100 or visit yourhomefromhome.com.