From theatre packages for the whole family to a perfect Paris apartment, Joan Scaleshas something for every budget
DEAL OF THE WEEK
Bring the children to London for a stage experience
Between July 25th and 28th, the Montague Hotel in London's Bloomsbury has a special Children on Stage programme. Les Miz kids club at the Queen's Theatre gives children an opportunity to enter the world of theatre with a backstage tour, drama workshops and the chance to meet a cast member. The package includes two nights' accommodation in a junior suite, Les Miz Club, tickets for the show and special children's menus, games and a treat each evening. From £794 (about €996) for two adults and a child. 00-44-207-6371001, www.montaguehotel.com.
HOME BREAKS
Cooking in Cork: from €180
The Cork International Airport Hotel celebrates its first birthday with La Dolce Vita, a weekend devoted to all things Italian. Chef Lorenzo Polegri from Orvieto will run cookery classes from July 24th to 26th. The classes on Thursday will be for women, Friday for men and Saturday for children. A package for two adults and two children, including the three-day cookery course, two nights' accommodation, breakfast and dinner, is from €690. One-day packages, including the cookery course and dinner, are €180 per adult. 021-4549800, www.corkinternationalairporthotel.com.
Carton specials from €145
Escape to Carton House Hotel, in Maynooth, Co Kildare on Sundays during July and August and enjoy dinner and a 30-minute Molton Brown treatment on Monday before returning to work, for €145 per person sharing. 01-5052000, www.cartonhouse.com
Howth golfing from €130
Golfers can have unlimited play at the Deer Park Hotel in Howth in July for €130 per person sharing including two nights' accommodation. If you prefer the spa, the package is €150 and includes a back massage or facial. 01-8322624, www.deerpark-hotel.ie.
Killiney bargain from €49.50
On the other side of Dublin Bay, why not explore Killiney and Dalkey with a stay at Fitzpatrick Castle Hotel from €49.50 per person sharing per night, from Sunday to Thursday? 01-2305400, www.fitzpatrickcastle.com.
Family weekend from €499
In July and August, families can enjoy exploring Mayo with an offer of €499 for two nights' accommodation and dinner one night for two adults and two children under 12 at the Park Inn, Mulranny. 1850-336000, www.parkinnmulranny.ie.
Omagh Hostel's green award
The Omagh Hostel has been awarded the EU Ecolabel for environmentally friendly practices. Rates are from £12.50 per person and camping sites from £20. 0044-28-82241973, www.omaghhostel.co.uk.
OVERSEAS BREAKS
Mauritius week from €1,499
Classic Resorts is taking bookings for honeymoons to Mauritius for 2009 with some early offers from €1,499 per person including taxes for an all-inclusive seven nights in a four-star resort, including flights. Mauritius is often voted one of the most romantic places to honeymoon. 01-8745000, www.classicresorts.ie.
Hotel bargains worldwide
If you can get the flights, then 1800hotels.ie can get you the hotels. In July, a week in the Salou Park Hotel on Spain's Costa Dorada is available from €325, a week in Playa de las Américas in Tenerife from €156, a week in Club Praia da Rocha in the Algarve from €267, a week in Orlando at the Renaissance Seaworld from €244, and a week at the Metropole in Sliema in Malta from €256, all prices per person sharing. 1800-468357, www.1800hotels.ie.
Belfry bargain from £79
The Belfry is one of the world's top golf courses, famous from Europe's Ryder Cup victory in 2002, when Paul McGinley sank the winning putt. During the summer, you can experience any of its three courses for £79 per golfer per night sharing, including breakfast. 00-44-167-5470301, www.thebelfry.co.uk.
Monaco nights from €235
This summer is the summer of the ladies in Monaco. There is Mamma Mia! the musical, the Egyptian Queens exhibition at the Grimaldi Forum, and the Kees van Dongen retrospective with its female nudes at the New National Museum (it makes a change from the Formula One petrolheads). Also appearing during the summer will be Celine Dion, Diana Ross, Alicia Keys and Alanis Morissette. Rooms at the Novotel ( www.novotel.com) are from €235 per night, and the Méridien Beach Plaza Hotel from €335 per night, www.starwoodhotels.com.
Perfect Paris from €450
A perfect little apartment is waiting for you in Montmartre in Paris. An art-nouveau treasure, the flat has all its period features intact and has been beautifully restored and luxuriously decorated. A place for a lover, not a friend, it oozes romance. Check it out and book for three nights for €450. www.swell-apartments.co.uk.
Maltese luxury from €125
The Fortina Spa Resort in Malta is as close as a Ryanair flight with rates of €125 per person, all-inclusive, during the summer. The resort has been highly rated for its four spas and now also has a medical centre for cosmetic surgery and dental treatments. It also offers hydrotherapy and physiotherapy programmes, for when you are not eating in the five restaurants. www.fortinasparesort.com.