From sailing around Greece to painting in Spain,
JOAN SCALESrounds up the week's best offers
DEAL OF THE WEEK
Learn the art of fly-fishing: from €229
Try your hand at fly-fishing on the River Moy. Mount Falcon Country Estate, on 100 acres of woodland between Ballina and Foxford in Co Mayo, with the Moy running through it, is the perfect setting to learn the art. A two-night package with bed and breakfast, one dinner and fly-fishing tuition, costs from €229 per person sharing. 096-74472, www.mountfalcon.com
OVERSEAS DEALS:
Sail in Greece: from €534
Bring the family on an unusual holiday exploring the coast of Greece by Caique, a traditional boat with eight cabins, a sundeck and restaurant. This eight-day trip will visit the coast of Evia from cove to harbour and you can swim and snorkel, explore ancient ruins and eat mezzes in local tavernas. The discount price of £459 (€535), excluding flights, includes seven days on board and one night in a hotel. Flights to Athens with Aer Lingus. Contact Maxwell Travel on 01-6779479.
Paint in Spain: from €895
Rosemary Burns has a few places left on her painting holiday to Comares in Andalusia, Spain, for August 26th. The week promises to be full of inspiration, relaxation and fun, and you should be able to produce some masterpieces, too. Prices are from €895 and include tuition, accommodation, and all meals. Flights extra. 087-9675630, www.arc-designs.ie
Jurys room sale: €39 per night
A sale of 10,000 rooms at €39/£39 per night across Jurys Inns in Ireland and the UK has been unveiled. The sale runs until July 31st and is for stays until September 6th. Must be booked 14 days in advance. If interested, book quickly – weekend nights will sell out first. www.jurysinns.com
August bargains: from €399
Holiday discounts for August are beginning to appear. Sunway has the following from Dublin: Sicily, Majorca and Algarve from €499, Sorrento from €549, Morocco and Tunisia from €399, Lisbon coast from €699. 01-2886828, www.sunway.ie. Budget Travel reductions for the end of August include family deals to Majorca and Salou from €1,499, Algarve and Crete from €1,599, Costa del Sol from €1,699, Lanzarote and Gran Canaria from €1,799 for two adults and two children. 01-6311111, www.budgettravel.ie
Flights to Japan: €1,095 return
Fly to any major Japanese city in premium economy between now and March 31st from €1,095 return with JAL if you book your flights by August 7nd. The price includes access to the business-class lounge and executive check-in. Contact Premair on 01-6610749, jal@premair.ie.
Premier games: from €125pps
Join the crowds cheering on your favourite Premier League team at home matches with a package from Keith Prowse Travel, with tickets and accommodation packages from €125pps. VIP packages to Manchester United home games from €207pps. 01-8783500, www.keithprowse.com.
Costa craic: from €899
The Costa del Sol will be hopping to the sounds of Jimmy Buckley and friends from October 4th to 11th. “Craic on the Costa” is a week of entertainment with an Irish flavour in the four-star Hotel Sol Don Pablo in Torremolinos. Prices from €899 half-board, with flights from Dublin, Shannon, Belfast and Cork. 01-6359300, www.jimmybuckley.com.
HOME DEALS
Walk, eat and sleep: €99pps
Temple Spa at Horseleap, Co Westmeath, is encouraging visitors to walk, eat and sleep for their health. Each day there are walks, yoga and relaxation classes. A one-night special costs €99pps and €119 for singles, with two nights from €199pps (€239 single). The price includes use of the facilities and dinner each evening. 057-9335118, www.templespa.ie
Concert stays: from €99
If you are coming to Dublin for an event in the O2, RDS or Croke Park, Bewleys Hotel in Leopardstown or Ballsbridge will provide transfers to and from your events. Rooms from €99 to €159 per night. www.bewleyshotels.com
Mayo family deal: from €529
Family deals at the Hotel Westport for next week from €529 for two adults and two under-10s sharing. The price includes dinner on two evenings for the adults, Panda Club activities for the children with dinner each evening in the Panda Club. 098-25122, www.hotelwestport.ie
Galway three for two: from €259
Summer savings at the Twelve Hotel just outside Galway mean that you can stay for three nights, between Sunday and Friday, for the price two, from €259 for two people sharing. 091-597000, www.thetwelvehotel.ie
Dublin 4 luxury: from €235
Enjoy a luxury stay in Dublin at the Four Seasons Hotel in Ballsbridge where an overnight for two with full breakfast and parking costs from €235. 01-6654000, www.four seasons.com/dublin
Self-catering: from €499
Selfcatering.ie has introduced a “bargain basement” for late bookers. This week, it has Forest Park Homes in Courtown from €575, and Courtmacsherry, Kenmare and Lispole homes from €499 for arrival on July 25th. www.selfcatering.ie
Dublin retreat: from €40pps
Take an overnight country retreat in Dublin in the Castleknock Hotel and Country Club from €40pps, including a bottle of wine in your room. 01-6406300, quote CLA09.
Please bear in mind that deals are subject to availability