Compiled by
JOAN SCALES
Deal of the week
Cruise from Dublin on October 2nd on the Ocean Countess and you won’t have to fly anywhere. The 10-night cruise will visit Spain, Portugal and Morocco before returning to Dublin. Prices start at €699pps.
A second cruise on October 12th will head south again, this time spending 13 nights in the Canaries. It costs from €799pps. There will be coaches from regional cities to join the ship. Details from Joe Walsh Tours on 01-241 0800 and joewalshtours.ie.
Away
OCTOBER ISthe time to discover Barbados because you will see prices fall to under €1,000, for a week, with flights, accommodation, transfers and taxes. Tropical Sky is selling Barbados from €735 pps, staying in the Coconut Court Beach Hotel, details from 01-8077996 and tropicalsky.ie.
SEE THEUS from the clicketty clack of the railway track on a coast-to-coast journey by rail.
The Travel Department is taking visitors on an 18-night journey from Ireland to the west coast visiting New York, Washington, Chicago, Denver, Grand Canyon, Los Angeles and San Francisco from October 19th. There will be plenty of time to stop and tour along the way. Prices for this trip are from €3,249pps. Details from thetraveldepartment.ie and 01-637 1600.
IT IS GAAseason, not just here but in the east where the GAA Asian Games are taking place in South Korea this year from October 12-19th.
Keith Prowse Travel has a special package to the games with five nights in the Ibis Hotel in Suwon, tickets for the opening ceremony and all matches, a Seoul city tour and lots of social fun.
The trip costs from €987pps including flights. Details from 01-878 3500.
HAVE A CUBANadventure with a last-minute reduction from Sunway for an eight-day adventure trip running from from September 24th, reduced to €1,297pps.
The highlights will include visits to Havana, Vinales, Soroa, Cabo San Antonio and two nights staying in a private home. Details from 01-231 1800 and sunway.ie.
FIND THE SUNin September when Egypt will still be a hot 35 degrees. A week in the Grand Oasis Hotel on Sharks Bay in the Red Sea will cost from €589pps on an all-inclusive basis.
Turkey will be hot too and a week in Gold City in Alanya will cost from just €479 BB. Book with panoramaholidays.ie or a travel agent.
Home
EXPLORE THERoyal County and the Boyne valley from the gateway to Co Meath, the City North Hotel just off the M1 at Gormanston. The heritage trails, by foot, bicycle and car will give you an introduction to historic sites, secret gems, draughty castles, myths and legends of this historic area.
The hotel has commissioned a great Heritage Trail map to assist the explorations and the price is right too, €119pps for two nights B&B with dinner one evening. Book on 01-6906666 and citynorthhotel.com.
CLIFDEN ARTS WEEKruns from September 15th-25th this year and the town will be heaving with arts, theatre, literature, music, film, talks, lectures and comedy.
Offers in Clifden hotels include three nights at the Abbeyglen Castle Hotel with breakfast and dinner for €199 per person sharing, BB at Ballynahinch Castle Hotel from €190 per room, Clifden Station House for €80 midweek or €100 at the weekend per room and Foyle’s Hotel has a midweek offer of two nights BB, with one dinner for €99 pps. For more see clifdenartsweek.ie.
FISH FOR YOURdinner on a trip to Inchydoney Island Lodge in West Cork. You could catch mackerel, pollock or cod which chef Adam Medcalf will cook for you.
The two-night stay in September will include half day fishing from Courtmacsherry from €239pps. Book on 023-8833143 and inchydoneyisland.com.
TAKE YOUR DOGon holiday to the Castle Hotel in Macroom, Co Cork for a royal canine welcome.
The pet-friendly rate is €20 and includes a bed, water bowls and treats. Pet concierge services include dog walking and grooming. The diamond deal for two humans is two nights B&B and one dinner for €250. Book on 026-41074 and castlehotel.ie.
CHILL IN THEIce House in Ballina during September and October where a third night's stay is free midweek.
Discover Enniscrone Beach which is only five minutes from Ballina, the Ceide Fields and Ballycastle. Midweek stays with dinner one evening cost from €199pps and weekend stays with a complimentary bottle of wine range from €225pps. Contact 096-23500 or log onto theicehouse.ie