Fancy a last-minute break? Joan Scalespicks the best of the deals at home and away to sweep you off your feet
DEAL OF THE WEEK
Inchydoney Island Lodge & Spa: from €270pp
Indulge your chocolate cravings with a seasonal treatment, the "enriching chocolate bath" or the "sensual chocolate body wrap". A complimentary chocolate treatment is included with two nights' accommodation, with dinner in the Gulfstream restaurant on one night, for ¤270 midweek and ¤365 at weekends, per person sharing. Details from 023-33143 or www.inchydoneyisland.com.
HOME BREAKS
Dunraven Arms: from €99
Incredible value from the Dunraven Arms Hotel, in Adare, Co Limerick. On some dates between Monday and the end of the month it is offering two nights' bed and breakfast plus one dinner for €99 per person sharing. 061-605900, www.dunravenhotel.com.
Ashford Castle: from €605
Ashford Castle, the most stately of Irish hotels, invites you to enjoy its luxury for Easter. Three nights, including dinner in the George V restaurant on one night and dinner in Cullen's at the Cottage on another night, cost from €605 per person sharing. 094-9546003, www.ashford.ie.
Herbert Park: €198
Take the children to Dublin to enjoy the St Patrick's festival events and a night in a lovely four-star hotel. The Herbert Park Hotel, in Ballsbridge, has a family offer of two interconnecting rooms, with breakfast for four, for stays over St Patrick's weekend for €198 a night. This offer will continue over Easter, subject to availability. 01-6672200, www.herbertparkhotel.ie.
Radisson SAS Galway: €230
Easter weekend breaks at the Radisson SAS in Galway will have you singing around the piano with the resident pianist. Two-night breaks on March 22nd and 23rd or 24th and 25th are available from €230 per person sharing; they include dinner one night in
Restaurant Marinas. Save
some space for breakfast, as they do a great buffet that will fill you up for the day. 091-538300 or www.radissonhotelgalway.com.
Easter egg hunting in Northern Ireland
Easter wouldn't be Easter without an egg hunt, and all over the National Trust's properties in Northern Ireland the hunting should be great fun. In Castle Coole and Florence Court, near Enniskillen, Crom Estate in Newtownbutler, and in Mount Stewart, Co Down, the Golden Egg Trail will be happening from March 22nd to 30th. In Larne a giant paper sculpture egg will be centrepiece of the Easter Monday egg hunt. Details from 1850-230230 and www.discovernorthernireland.com.
OVERSEAS BREAKS
Caribbean resort stays: from around €2,000
The luxurious Sandals resorts in the Caribbean have extended their special offer of 25 per cent discount for bookings from Ireland until March 31st for travel up to end December. The all-inclusive resorts are in Jamaica, St Lucia, Antigua and Bahamas and all are set on stunning beach locations. A week including flights will cost around €2,000. Details from Tropical Places 01-4331020, Travel Focus 021-4251025 and Caribbean Collection 021-4635556.
New Hampshire skiing: €829
New Hampshire has a selection of ski resorts along Interstate 93 including Cannon and Loon Mountain. Topflight has a week including flights, transfers and accommodation at the Woodward Resort in Lincoln from €829 on March 19th. New Hampshire is also good for shopping and there is no sales tax on clothes. Call 01-2401700, www.topflight.ie.
Brittany Ferries: from €556
The Brittany Ferries service on the Pont Aven ship begins again on March 15th for the summer season with sailings from Cork to Roscoff every Saturday. A family of four can travel from €556 including berths each way. Brochures from 021-4277801.
Peru adventure: from €2,450
The splendours of Peru are very accessible this year with a trip organized by MAP Travel in May for 10 nights. Flying from Amsterdam to Lima, the first few days will explore this colonial city. Then off to visit Cusco, the heart of the Incan empire, and to Machu Picchu with a final few days at Lake Titicaca. Prices from €2,450 includes flights, accommodation, tours and transfers. MAP Travel 01-8783116; www.maptravel.ie
Classic cruising: from €2,313pp
Take the easy way to cruising with Fred Olsen Cruise Lines with a 21-day trip from Dublin on April 25th. Sailing towards the sun with calls at Gibraltar, Tunis, Santorini, Valetta, Tangier and Lisbon, the Black Prince will spoil you. Classic cruising on this 241 cabin ship costs from €2,313 per person. Call 01-2482833.
Explore Canada: from €247
Direct flights from Dublin to Toronto and Vancouver, Canada begin in May. The service to Vancouver begins on May 26th with fares of €350 each way including taxes and charges. Hotel packages are available to Vancouver and Calgary from €208. The service to Toronto Hamilton begins on May 26th with flights from €247 each way including taxes. Prices from €1,015 for seven days. Details from www.flyglobespan.comand Delta Travel on 01-8747666.
Lakes of Italy: from €649
Discover the lake country of Italy with holidays to lakes Maggiore, Orta or Como from Citalia. A week in April, staying in four-star accommodation with breakfast or half-board, costs from €649 to €829. www.citalia.ie; 1890-812302.
Lakes of England: from €160
The English Lake District is the perfect place to exercise your walking boots - and when you make it to Ambleside, hike up the hills towards Barngates and you'll find that a lovely traditional inn awaits. The Drunken Duck Inn has fantastic views across the area. Rooms, including breakfast and afternoon tea, from £120 (about €160). www.drunkenduckinn.co.uk, 00-44-15394-36347.