Lake Garda, sheltered beneath the Trentino Mountains is well placed for visiting Venice, Florence Verona, especially for Opera lovers. Topflight has a number of special offers to Lake Garda with prices from £389 for seven-day departures in June. Opera tickets cost from £45 including transfers. During July and August the amphitheatre at Verona will host a masked ball, Nambucca, Aida, Tosca Rigoletto. Details from your local travel agent or Topflight (01 679 9177).
Lake Garda will also be playing host to a Bridge Holiday in September. The bridge will be directed by Alex Piggott in a luxury four star hotel. 14 nights, half board will cost from £799. Further details from Viva Travel (01 280 8561).
Bord Failte has launched a booklet on Health Farms of Ireland, which incorporates health centres, retreats and spas. It contains details of eight farms, in Clare, Cork, Galway, Tipperary, Wicklow, Westmeath, which provide a wide range of health and fitness programmes. Treatments that are available include thalassotherapy, aromatherapy, holistic massage, reflexology and algotherapy.
Facilities include sauna, gym, jacuzzi, swimming pool and solarium, with many farms offering outdoors activities also. Booklets are available from your local tourist office, or from the Health Farms of Ireland Association, Rinville, Oranmore, Co Galway, (091) 790606, or email: lochan@iol.ie.
Cross Border Co-operation gets a boost with the launch this week of the Kingfisher Cycle Trail. It is the longest cycle route in Ireland, running in a figure of eight through counties Fermanagh, Leitrim, Donegal, Cavan Monaghan. Several additional loops have been added for those who want to spend more time in different areas. The trail if fully way-marked with routes designed for all types of cyclists from the meanderers to the 70-mile a day enthusiasts. A variety of pre-planned holiday packages can be arranged which include accommodation at the various stops and attractions in each location.
Further information from the Tourist Information Centre, Wellington Road, Enniskillen, Co Fermanagh, (080) 1365 320121 or the Northern Ireland Tourist Board, Nassau Street, Dublin, Tel: 1850 230 230.
The newest "most happening" hotel in is offering Diners Club members the chance to stay for £85 per night including Continental breakfast. In Dublin's Temple Bar area, the hotel is the latest designer premises to open in the city. It is also home to the themed bar and restaurant, the Sports Cafe, where you can watch sports videos to your heart's content. The food is not bad either. Tel: (01) 679 3939, subject of availability up to the end of May.
American Express cardholders can avail of their members offer of a weekend in the Aghadoe Heights Hotel outside Killarney. Set high above the lakes the view is terrific and the hotel has its own leisure centre. A weekend costs £130 per person sharing for two nights, bed, breakfast, and one dinner, with an Irish Coffee on arrival. Make sure to ask for a lake view room. Subject to availability up to end of June (064 31766).