Book early and save

PROJECT Travel offers a 20-day Antarctic exploration with 30% discounts for early bookers on selected dates.

The cruise starts in Buenos Aires and includes 14 days full board on Hurtigruten’s specially designed ship with lectures and talks led by experts on Antarctica’s natural history and polar landscape.

There is an opportunity for wildlife spotting and land and boat excursions.

Discounted prices start at €4,675 per person (including flights) sharing a twin inside cabin for ships departing westbound on October 31, November 28 or December 5 (www.project-travel.ie or call [phone]).

* The Radisson SAS Hotel & Spa, Cork, is giving a unique wedding gift to brides and grooms as part of its brand new wedding package launched recently.

Each bride and groom who book their 2007 wedding with the Cork hotel will receive a €1000 voucher that can be redeemed against hotel rooms, spa treatments at the hotel’s Retreat Spa, private dining in Ditchley House or anything associated with the special day.

Package applies to weddings of a minimum of 150 and those booked between September and December of this year.

* THE Northern Ireland Tourist Board is carrying out a mini blitz of the markets down south — with two-night hotel breaks on offer in Belfast, Derry, Armagh and Newry for €85 per person sharing.

One could relax and unwind in one of Belfast’s trendy boutique hotels like Malmaison (3*) or Ten Square (4*) from €140pps for two nights B&B.

Go a little bit further north to Derry and check out some of the big offers on hotels, including the Beech Hill Country House (4*) from €105pps or the Waterfoot Hotel (3*) from the low starting price of €85.

For more information on short breaks in the North contact the Northern Ireland Tourist Board on 1850 230 230, log onto www.discovernorthernireland.com or call into the Tourist Information Office at 16 Nassau Street, Dublin 2.

* Ferry company Stena Line is offering thrill seekers great end of season deals to Oakwood Theme Park in South Wales from €46 per adult and €40 per child for Monday to Thursday travel. Customers have only until September 25 when Oakwood closes for this season. The price includes return sea travel on the Stena Express fast craft, coach transfers to and from Oakwood and entry to the theme park. For more information on Oakwood or to make a booking, customers should call Stena Line on 01 2047600 or 053 61560 quoting reference A008 or click on www.stenaline.ie/oakwood.

* Airtours is offering special deals for next summer, with savings of up to €400 for those willing to splash out some cash early.

For further information on any of these offers contact Airtours Holidays on 0818 20 20 20 or log onto www.airtours.ie.