Winter sun packages

SLATTERY’S Sun is offering Christmas away from the cold, damp and possibly snow, with flights from Dublin, Cork and Shannon over the festive season.

The company has packages to Lanzarote from €544 per person. Weekly flights from Shannon begin on December 24 while there are three departures from Cork over the Christmas holiday to take in the big day and/or New Years Day.

At the other end of the temperature scale, Slattery’s is also running trips to Lapland. The company is operating a one-day trip from Dublin on December 18 with prices for adults at €599, and €499 for children. A three-day, two-night fully inclusive package is also available with flights on December 15 and 17. Fares are from e899 (adults) and €799 (children).

At Easter, Slattery’s is running a 10-night special to Orlando from Shannon.

www.slatteryssun.com or 066 7186 230.

* FOR golfing enthusiasts hungry for more after the Ryder Cup, Trim Castle, the four-star hotel in County Meath, is offering a range of stay and play golf packages.

These involve two nights bed and breakfast, including dinner in Jules Restaurant, with a round in Royal Tara Golf Club and County Meath Golf Club from €189 pps midweek and €249 pps at weekends; or a round in Glebe Golf Club and County Meath Golf Club from €169pps midweek and €219pps at weekends. For booking information contact: www.trimcastlehotel.com or 046 948 3000.

* MEANWHILE, congratulations are in order for Kelly’s Resort Hotel & Spa, Rosslare, Co Wexford, the AA Hotel of the Year. Also in the honours lists were Gregans Castle Hotel, Ballyvaughan, Co Clare, the winners of the AA Courtesy and Care Award; and Ashlee Lodge, Blarney, Co Cork, who won the AA guest accommodation of the year award.

* IRISH FERRIES has introduced a ‘club class’ service on their Dublin-Holyhead ferry Ulysses. The scheme offers priority express boarding for motorists, exclusive use of a lounge situated on the uppermost deck of the vessel, complimentary drinks, snacks and newspapers and a 10% discount on selected products sold on-board. Passengers can upgrade to Club Class for €15 extra per person one way.

* PANORAMA’S summer 2007 brochure contains several offers from Cork airport, including free child and infant places and complimentary travel insurance.

The company quotes starting prices of €679 for two adults and a child to the Algarve in the off peak period.

The company has also printed a dedicated Egypt brochure with holidays featured between December of this year and October 2007. Prices start at €439 for seven nights bed and breakfast in the Hotel Falcon Hills in Sharm El Sheikh on the Sinai peninsula. The area is attempting to build its tourist industry again after a series of devastating terrorist attacks.