From Budapest to Berlin, Joan Scaleshas the week's best offers in Christmas markets
DEAL OF THE WEEK
The big giveaway: log on to bag a last-minute deal
Lastminute.com is having a "Big Feck Off Giveway" party online this week. Log on to www.lastminute.com from 10am on Monday to win a limited number of €10 hotels nights in Ireland. During the week, shoppers on the site will have a chance to win flights to European destinations including Helsinki (pictured) and experience pampering days, helicopter trips and tank thrill rides. www.lastminute.com.
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Buddy Holly Story: €75
Days Harlequin Hotel in Castlebar has recently received its four-star rating and has joined the largest venue outside Dublin, the Royal Castlebar Theatre to offer some great event packages.
The Buddy Holly Story is on next week from November 18th-24th and one night bed and breakfast with tickets to the show from €75 per person sharing. Fans of Status Quo will love that the band will be playing the Royal in February and packages for two nights are available from €185 per person sharing, including dinner one night. Details from www.dayshotelcastlebar.com and 1890-329329.
Pamper yourself at the spa: €125
With sterling hovering around 85p this week it's a good time to treat yourself to a day spa in the Culloden Estate and Spa in Belfast (048-90421135) or the Slieve Donard Hotel in Co Down (048-43726166). The normal day spa rate has been reduced from £150 to £105 (€179 to €125) from Monday to Friday and includes a choice of two spa treatments and full use of the facilities and lunch. Details from www.hastingshotels.com.
Time out on your own: €79
The Ashford Court Hotel in Ennis, Co Clare, loves solo travellers and is offering some time out alone for the great price of €79 per night including dinner. Should you wish, you can bring a friend for an additional €45 and they will be fed, too. Try Ennis for some retail therapy - it is the self-styled boutique capital of Ireland. Offer applies from Sunday to Friday until Christmas. Details from www.ashfordcourt.ie and 065-6894444.
Fitness for Life weekend: €595
Enda Coyle, fitness guru, is leading the Fitness for Life weekends in the lovely Harveys Point Hotel in Donegal. Making the most of the location, a weekend will include one-to-one session with Enda on nutrition and exercise. There will be organised hillwalking and cycling in the Blue Stack mountains, energising yoga and Pilates classes, and lovely food every day. The courses run from November 20th to 23rd and from January 29th to February 1st, 2009, They prices start at €595 per person sharing. Details from www.harveyspoint.com, 074-9722208.
Budapest: 3 nights from €359 The thing to buy in Budapest is a bag full of lovely blue and white painted egg Christmas tree decorations. Primera Tours will take you there on December 4th, 5th, 8th or 9th for three nights staying in the city centre. It will also include a half-day sightseeing tour from €359 per person sharing, the single supplement is €49. www.primeratours.ie, 01-6311077.
CHRISTMAS MARKETS
Berlin: 2 nights from €249
Berlin will have a variety of Christmas markets to explore including one in front of the Charlottenburg Castle featuring the Biedermeier period. Shandon Travel can take you there from Dublin or Cork for three nights from €249 per person sharing. www.shandontravel.ie, 021-4277094.
Krakow: €359 for 3 nights
Krakow's Christmas markets take place in the magical setting of the Rynek Glowny square in the Old Town and it will be snowy underfoot. Citiescapes' trip to Krakow for three nights includes a guided tour to the world's oldest salt mines at Wieliczka. Prices from €359 per person sharing, www.citiescapes.ie, 01-2761222.
Stockholm: €279 for 3 nights
The Swedish capital has the weather for Christmas - lots of snow and frosty days. The biggest market is in Gamla Stan plaza, where you can try the smoked reindeer. Book three nights in December in the Best Western Time Hotel from €297 or the Clarion from €304 for two sharing with www.hotels.com. Flights direct Stockholm from Dublin with SAS on Fridays and Sundays, from €192 return, www.flysas.ie.
Edinburgh: €250 for the weekend
The crispy, misty streets of Edinburgh are the perfect setting for getting the feel of Christmas as the season approaches. Travel with Arrow Tours for a weekend in the Scottish capital from €250 per person sharing. Fly with Aer Lingus and stay two nights in the Apex European Hotel on Prince's Street. www.arrowtours.ie, 041-9831177.
Deals in Killarney
If you're looking for something closer to home, Killarney will be doing Christmas big again this year. Traditional markets will be on Main Street and the Laurels Lane each Saturday and Sunday in December, selling goods ranging from traditional foods to locally-made crafts. There will also be ice-skating and guided winter walks. See www.christmasinkillarney.com for details of events and a selection of accommodation on offer.
• Please bear in mind that deals are subject to availability