Fancy a spring break? Joan Scalespicks out some of the top holiday choices both at home and abroad
DEAL OF THE WEEK
The Lake District: from €130 with free massage
Linthwaite House Hotel, in Windemere, is an ideal spot to enjoy the English Lake District. Until May 28th it is including dinner with each night's B&B - and until April 24th it also throwing in a massage or Molton Brown gift set with every two nights' B&B; £100 (€130) per person per night. E-mail stay@linthwaite.com or call 00-44-15394-88600, quoting "dine free".
OVERSEAS BREAKS
Waves in Hawaii: from €1,256
Project Travel and Aloha Holidays have some good offers on trips to Atlantic or Pacific islands. A week in Hawaii at the Aqua Waikiki Wave Hotel will cost from €1,256 per person, or at the Wyland Waikiki boutique hotel, including two free nights, from €1,313, including flights from Ireland. In Bermuda the five-star Cambridge Beaches resort, on a half-board basis, will cost €1,984 per person sharing. Call 01-2108391, www.project-travel.ie.
Cyprus in May: from €549
During May, GMT Travel is offering two weeks half-board in the Pierre Anne Hotel, on the beach in Ayia Napa, for €549 per person. In Larnaca the Lysithea apartments cost from €349 per person for a week. 01-2052004, www.gerrymcmahon.ie.
Family week in Bulgaria: €2,299
Shandon Travel in Cork believes it can beat the competition on family holidays. Travelling from Cork, two adults and two children can spend a week in Bulgaria for €2,299. Or a week in the Algarve in July at Club Praia da Rocha for €2,099. 021-4277094, www.shandontravel.ie.
Brittany mobile home: €589
Canvas Holidays is giving away free nights for holidays until June 26th in 10 countries in Europe. Book by April 24th and get three free nights on one-week holidays and four free nights on two-week holdays. Seven nights' accommodation at the Dol-de-Bretagne campsite in Brittany will cost €589 per family in a two-bedroom mobile home. 01-6569301, www.canvasholidays.ie.
Lanzarote in April: from €349
Sunworld has some good deals to Lanzarote, Fuerteventura and Gran Canaria next month. A week in Lanzarote, staying in Puerto del Carmen, costs from €349. A week in Fuerteventura, in Corralejo, costs from €329. A week in Playa del Ingles costs from €369. 01-8814300, www.sunworld.ie.
Wine cruise back in season: €124pp The first escorted wine cruise to France on the new Oscar Wilde ferry starts on May 30th, led by wine expert Martin Moran. It costs €124 per person sharing. If you want to take a car it will cost an additional €59 when two adults are travelling. 0818-300400, www.irishferries.com.
Sorrento sights in April: €481
Citalia, the Italian specialist, will tempt you to some of Italy's nicest destinations with special offers during April and May. A week in the Alpha Hotel in Sorrento will cost from €481 per person on April 18th. A week in Liguria, staying in the five-star Royal Hotel, costs from €849 per person. Or how about a week in the Grand Cadenabbia in Lake Como for from €649 per person on May 9th? In Rome, the five-star Eden, for three nights until the end of April, costs €689 per person. 1890-812302, www.citalia.ie.
Spanish villas: from €548
James Villas is offering reductions on properties in Spain. From Cork on April 3rd, a villa in Nerja will cost €600 for the week. From Dublin, a villa in Torrox, Andalusia, on April 12th costs from €548. In Nerja on April 17th, a villa costs €503 per week. 1890-943928, www.jamesvillas.ie. HOME BREAKS
Fitness courses in Farnham: from €295pps
Radisson SAS Farnham Estate Hotel, in Co Cavan, has signed up Dean Hodgkin, who was named 2007 Best International Fitness Presenter, to give four "life-enhancing programmes" this year.
In the first week in June, Walk this Way aims to awaken your spirit on beautiful nature trails on the 500-hectare (1,300-acre) estate and show you how to get the most out of your walking.
In August, Hodgkin has put together dance-based fitness classes.
In September the session will be about uniting mind and body with t'ai chi, yoga and a retreat.
November will bring Silver Service week, which will be aimed at improving the health and fitness of older guests.
Two-day midweek breaks cost from €295 per person sharing; weekends start at €355.
You can also book Hodgkin for individual sessions. 049- 4379043, www.farnhamestate.com.
Spa birthday celebrations: €210pps
Ballygarry House Hotel and Spa, in Tralee, Co Kerry, is celebrating 50 years in business with a variety of events.
As part of the celebrations it is offering two-night breaks, including one dinner in Brooks restaurant and a €50 voucher for the Nadur Spa, for €210 per person sharing. 066-7123322, www.ballygarryhouse. com.
Champagne weekend in Clifden: €149pps
Abbeyglen Castle Hotel in Clifden, Co Galway, is offering a champagne weekend on April 4th and 11th. Enjoy afternoon tea, sing songs around the piano and eat lobster salad.
A package of two nights' B&B and one dinner costs from €149 per person sharing. 1850-357035, www.abbeyglen.ie.
Gardening tips from an expert in Kelly's, Rosslare
Dermot O'Neill, the gardening expert, will be guest lecturer at Kelly's Resort Hotel in Rosslare, Co Wexford, from tomorrow until next Friday.
Each day he will give a lecture from 10am to 1pm and answer gardening questions. Details from Kelly's on 053-9132114, or see www.kellys.ie.