Need a break? Joan Scalespicks out some top offers for the coming weeks, both at home and abroad
DEAL OF THE WEEK
Cruise with Royal Caribbean: from €719
Independence of the Seas, one of the world's largest passenger ships, will take you on a four-night Mediterranean cruise. The liner is like a floating town, with ice skating, a rock-climbing wall, a boxing ring, a nine-hole miniature golf course, Broadway-style entertainment and more. The price includes flights. Call Cruise Holidays on 01-8173500 or see www.cruiseholidays.ie.
HOME BREAKS
Asian spa break in Kerry: €565pp
The most famous spa in Asia, Chiva-Som, is coming to the Park Hotel in Kenmare from May 2nd to 11th. Three top therapists, executive chef Paisarn Cheewinsiriwat and energy healer Richard Currell will join the team at the hotel to offer a range of pampering spa therapies, ancient holistic therapies, eastern-influenced fitness classes and two gala dinners. Packages from €565 per person sharing for two nights' accommodation and one dinner. www.parkkenmare.com; 064-41200.
West Cork cooking: €250
Inish Beg, in west Cork, is the location for some great cookery courses with Susan Holland, formerly of the Customs House in Baltimore. From April 19th to 27th the courses will run for two days each; they will focus on fish cookery, Italian food, instant food miracles and desserts. All classes will include demonstrations and lots of hands-on cooking using local and traditional produce. Each course costs €250 per person, and there will be only eight students a class. Details from www.inishbeg.com; 028-21745.
Trabolgan fun back on: from €2
Trabolgan has reopened for the season, and family days out over the holiday period cost only €2 per person. There are a variety of activities available on a pay-as-you-go basis, including the tropical pool, crazy golf, Barney's new show, go-karting, quad-biking and zipwires.
Call 021-4661551; www.trabolgan.com.
Presidential feast: €160
Dine like a president at Castle Leslie, in Co Monaghan. New executive chef Matthew King, who has cooked for George Bush and Bill Clinton, among his long list of dignitaries, has now upped sticks from the United States and come to Ireland. His commitment to serving the best should be worth a visit. Midweek stays for two nights, including dinner on one night, from €160 per person sharing. Call 047-8100; www.castleleslie.com.
Easter at Mount Juliet: €77pp
The Conrad Mount Juliet is hosting a craft fair over Easter, showcasing the work of some of Kilkenny's finest craftspeople. With rates from €77 per person per night B&B, you might even stay. Details on 056-7773000; www.mountjuliet.ie.
OVERSEAS BREAKS
Spanish theme park fun: 14-day tickets from €60
One of my favourite theme parks in Spain is PortAventura, on the Costa Dorada just an hour from Barcelona. Keith Prowse Travel has a great deal for entrance tickets. For a short time it is selling 14-day tickets to the park for the price of three-day tickets. Adult tickets will cost €73 and child tickets, for four- to 10-year-olds, will cost €60. Perfect if you are planning a family holiday in this region. (Packages to Costa Dorada are available with all the major tour operators from all airports in Ireland.) Don't miss the Dragon Khan and Furius Baco for a serious thrill. www.keithprowse.com; 01-8783500.
Exotic Dominican Republic: €999
The Dominican Republic, on the exotic island of Hispaniola, is home to some amazing five-star resorts, and the Dreams Punta Cana resort could just the location for a special holiday from €999 per person sharing, all inclusive. Or how about Barbados, which has a lovely mix of cultures, great beaches and all that a tropical island offers? Little Arches is a privately owned boutique hotel where you can relax and enjoy the laid-back atmosphere. A week will cost from €1,529. Details from www.beautiful places.ie and 1890-200725. It also has some great five-star holidays in Malta and Gran Canaria.
California escape: €1,129
The new Aer Lingus route to San Francisco makes it easy to explore the west coast of the US. A holiday including time in San Francisco and on the beach in Santa Monica is the perfect escape for a week. Santa Monica has more than 400 restaurants. Prices from €1,129. Call American Holidays on 01-6733800 or see www.americanholidays.com.
Tunisia resort: from €219
There are great deals to Tunisia with Panorama next month, when a week at Hotel Mediterranean Dreams, in Port El Kantaoui on a half-board basis, costs from €219. www.panoramaholidays.ie; 0818 202020. (And see p10.)
April sunshine: from €329
A week in the Brisamar apartments in Corralejo in Fuerteventura on April 13th with Sunworld will cost from €329 per person sharing. The Paraiso apartments in Playa del Inglés, departing on April 5th, cost from €329. In Lanzarote, a week in the Cay Beach Club, at Playa Blanca, in April costs from €444. www.sunworld.ie and 01-8814300.
May madness in Majorca: €258
Visit Majorca in May with Falcon Holidays, staying in the Vista Club in Santa Ponsa, from €258 per person from Dublin. A week in Gran Canaria staying in the Greenfield apartments, from Shannon, is €395 per person. Fly from Cork on April 20th for 11 nights in Lanzarote from €382 per person sharing, accommodation on arrival. www.falconholidays.ie and 1850-453545.
Early winter sun: from €699
Budget Travel has launched its new Caribbean winter brochure, featuring the tropical resorts of Playa Dorada, in the Dominican Republic, and Cancún, in Mexico. Flights leave Dublin each week from November. Budget is offering early-bird deals starting at €699 per person if booked before May 31st. The brochure features predominantly three-, four- and five-star hotels, with all-inclusive deals. www.budget travel.ie and 01-6311111.