All I want for Christmas ...

THE memories of summer may still be fresh in the mind — and Christmas may be the last thing people want to think about right now — but tour operators are already getting ready for the Lapland winter snow.

Falcon Holidays will operate day trips from Dublin to Santa’s magical kingdom on the mornings of December 8 and 15, and is also offering three and four-night getaways.

Be sure to bring the thermals to Lapland and have around €500 per person put by to take you there; those wishing to stay longer will have to shell out anything from €939 for adults or €739 for children.

The Lapland flights depart from Cork and Dublin.

For bookings, phone [phone], log on to www.falcontravel.ie or call into any Falcon Travel shop.

* PANORAMA HOLIDAYS is offering free travel insurance, free child places and many other savings to groups booking getaways to the Canary Islands ex-Cork this winter.

Panorama’s prices start from about €350 for one-week breaks in January, or customers can choose to go a little further and book half-board accommodation at the Hotel Eugina Victoria in Playa Del Ingles (Gran Canaria) for €485 per person, sharing; prices include flights, accommodation, airport charges and taxes, and there’s a 5% discount if you book online.

For bookings, phone [phone] or log on to www.panoramaholidays.ie

* IRISH FERRIES has been inundated with enquiries and bookings for pre-Christmas hotel breaks to Cherbourg, with shoppers anxious to take advantage of wine bargains.

The operator is offering packages priced from €167 per person for a car with two adults; these include return ferry transport, an ensuite cabin on board and one night of land accommodation.

Cherbourg has two giant hypermarkets and a choice of four wine stores, all within easy reach of the port — some stores will even accept advance orders by phone, fax or email from those who wish to limit their browsing time.

For bookings, phone [phone], visit a travel agent or log on to www.irishferries.com

* A REFURBISHMENT of The Clarion Hotel, Dublin Airport (the original airport hotel), is coming to completion at a cost of more than €3 million.

The overhaul has been designed to modernise the hotel in keeping with the Clarion image.

The 248-room hotel is situated at the airport roundabout entrance, a short way from the main terminals and within striking distance of the city centre.

The hotel is well-situated for those with early morning departures or late night arrivals; a courtesy transfer bus is available 24 hours a day.

Hotel rooms are available from €89.

For bookings, call 01 8080500 or log on to www.clarionhoteldublinairport.com.