Spiritual travel and feasts for the body and soul

Saving Money Hoarding Anticipation

Research says the pandemic has made last-minute merchants of us all. The on-off nature of life making it seem the wiser course, but shall we be more confidently hopeful this time? TD Active are rewarding early birds with offers of up to €150 off bookings made before January 31st (so get cracking) for departures during 2022, with the flexibility to change up to a month before departure. So wander the Camino de Santiago with seven nights from €1,199. And while the pope might not approve of all pets, he has come up trumps, declaring this year a holy year: Xacobeo for those in the know. It was meant to be 2021, but he has upgraded 2022 for us, so you get to use the special door when you enter the Camino cathedral at last. Not up your street? How about photography in Transylvania? Four nights from €999. tdactiveholidays.com

Good for the Body

I have often thought January 1st is too early for new year resolutions. So to anyone who has already managed to disappoint themselves, how about a February restart? The Shelbourne's health club is extending their Wellbeing Resolutions package throughout February, including a fitness and nutrition consultation, training session and three-class passes for €200. Or just go for the detox mud wrap and massage at €195, and save yourself all the sweat. Then retox with an overnight from €420 B&B, including parking. theshelbourne.com

Good for the Soul

And if the sudden luck of an extra holy year by papal dispensation has inspired you, the other good news is that Joe Walsh Tours has launched their pilgrimage programme for 2022. So if you were missing your Fatima, Lourdes and Medjugorje moments, now's the time. You'll get €50 off bookings paid in full before the end of this month, and Lourdes starts at €569 for four nights pps, with Fatima coming in at €699 for seven nights pps, all arranged across special dates to coincide with feasts. No, not that sort of feast. joewalshtours.ie

Irish American

There's something about beautiful Killarney that will be forever American in many hearts. Maybe it's the huge hotels, the proliferation of Aran sweaters, and all those lavish twisty-knotted Celtic decor moments in many of said hotels, but nothing says "Oirish" like a spot of kelly green and a bit of begorra. That's doing the town and its gorgeous surrounds a disservice, as it is home to many fantastic hostelries. Anyway, those crossing the Atlantic in search of the Old Sod may be thin on the ground awhile yet (to be sure to be sure), so why not see what all the fuss is about yourself? Plan for Valentines Day at the decidedly lovely Killarney Plaza and get two nights B&B, half a bottle of champagne, chocolate covered strawberries and a dozen roses, two dinners AND a spa treatment. Talk about thinking big. From €475 pps from February 11th to 20th. killarneyplaza.com