Get away for less

ISLAND Cruises has launched early booking offers available for this summer; Mediterranean cruises can be purchased from under €750.

The company has flights from most Irish airports — Dublin, Cork, Shannon and Knock — with no surcharges. The restriction is that bookings have to be made by February 15 for the cheapest deals.

Island Cruises is a bit different; there’s no dress code or set times for dinner, and one child can travel free as part of the package — €1,498 in total.

For more information, call 1850 812110.

* AIRTOURS claims to have up to €3 million worth of freebies up for grabs in its sizzling summer savings offers.

The family specialist tour operator is offering 20,000 free child and infant places, free family insurance, group discounts and 5% off all online bookings.

The company’s new summer brochure features 35 further family-orientated properties in a variety of destinations.

Airtours says they will take the hassle out of planning with a new, “easy to read family chart booking form”. On average, they say, holiday makers can save €519 on every self-catering holiday. Book before February 28 to secure the best deals.

Contact Airtours on 0818 202020 or log on to www.airtours.ie for more details.

* INGHAMS Travel has launched its 2007 Lakes and Mountains brochure, featuring a choice of 39 lakeside and mountain settings in seven countries across Europe, including Andorra, Austria, Croatia, Hungary, Italy, Slovenia and Switzerland.

Inghams is primarily an ex-Dublin based operator, which doesn’t always suit travellers from elsewhere in the country, but it does offer a large choice of destinations from the capital.

Prices start from €527 at the three-star Hotel Post in Westendorf, Austria, on a half-board basis. Call 01 661 1377 for information and bookings.

* BEST known for its historic jail, Kilmainham in Dublin is soon to play host to an international Hilton Hotel.

In advance of this, a major recruitment drive will see 150 staff employed in the coming weeks. Human resources manager for the hotel, Yvonne Hand, has been promoted within Hilton to cluster human resources manager, covering all recruitment and HR for the Hilton Dublin Kilmainham and the Hilton Dublin Airport.

She says: “My team is looking forward to sourcing the right people for each position. The Hilton service is recognised worldwide and we want to recruit the best teams to deliver optimum service.”

* AUSTRAVEL is offering 10 nights in Sydney and the Blue Mountains from €1,511, with return flights from Dublin to Oz on Asiana Airlines.

But potential clients have to be fast. Travel has to commence by January 15.

For further details and reservations, call Austravel on 01 642 7006. Flights, hotels and Australian visas can also be booked online at www.austravel.ie.