Ferry deals out of Cork

THE March 1 launch of the new service from Cork to Swansea aboard the MV Julia approaches, and the Fastnet Line has promised a variety of promotional fares.

The service is tipped to be worth in excess of €50 million to the local economy but it will also be a huge benefit to the many thousands of individuals left without a cross-channel service for the last few years.

Fastnet this week announced a special promotional fare that allows up to three children travel free on the basis of one adult booking (with vehicle).

This “Early Bird” offer must be booked before April 1 and the kids must be under 16 on the date of travel. The offer excludes cabin costs.

For details of this and other offers including group rates, log on to www.fastnetline.com; Irish reservations at 021 4378892.

- TO mark the 25th anniversary of Trabolgan Holiday Village, there will be up to 25% discount for those booking early this year, savings up to €340 for family groups who make the booking and pay a deposit before March 19.

Apart from the normal holiday attractions, Trabolgan will host a variety of Star Break Weekends throughout the year featuring comedy acts, live performances from popular artists and tribute bands.

Details of all that’s available for 2010 are available at www.trabolgan.com

- SUNWAY are doing special promotions on Turkey as a holiday destination with flights out of Cork, Shannon and Dublin to Izmir this summer.

The company has a selection of accommodation from self-catering to five star hotels in the resorts of Cesme, Kusadasi and Ozdere.

There is also a new seven day escorted tour of western Turkey with prices starting from €349 for a three star hotel. Early booking offers include €75 off per person and free child places. There will be no single supplement in selected properties on certain dates.

Details on www.sunway.ie or phone Sunway 01-2886828.

- LYDA Studios & Lyda Beach, one of the most popular hotels in Crete with the Irish has been badly hit by the collapse of Budget Travel. Accordingly, the company has set up a website in the hope that regular clients will make arrangements to get to the island and continue to book accommodation with Lyda.

Indeed the company hopes to go further; with the help of friends from the Irish travel industry, the company is preparing a request for an Irish travel agency/tour operator license, aiming to resolve the problem of the limited and very expensive airplane seats capacity this summer to Crete by also providing a transport option.

Details of what’s so far available are on www.lydahotels.com.