Orlando still good value

ORLANDO, which has been a very good destination for the Irish travel industry, is still on the list of desirable places to visit for 2010.

Even with the slump of the euro against the dollar, pricewise, a break there compares favourably with the traditional European destinations of Spain or Portugal.

Tour America has peak-season deals departing in July and August from €599 inclusive for a three-star holiday. For details of current deals contact the company at www.touramerica.ie.

TRAILFINDERS say that Thailand is well and truly back on the travel map after the Irish Foreign Office relaxed its travel advice on this stunning country.

Now they are back offering special inclusive packages in earnest; those booking by tomorrow, June 27, can take advantage of eight-night beach breaks from an inclusive €899 with flights on the award winning Ethiad Airways out of Dublin.

For details of this and other holidays, contact the company in Dublin at 01 8814994 or Cork at 021 4648888; alternatively, log on to www.trailfinders.ie.

FOR those with either a fear or dislike of flying, the Cruise Centre is offering a nine night autumn sunshine cruise out of Dublin on board the Ocean Countess. The vessel departs on October 9 with lead-in prices starting from €899, although the Cork-based agent is offering an early saver rate of €799 per person.

The itinerary includes visits to La Coruna, Gibraltar, Tangier, Praia de Rocha and Lisbon before returning to Dublin. For more details call the Cruise Centre on 0818 300 205 or visit www.cruisecentre.ie

MUNSTER rugby fans will have had first-hand experience of San Sebastian. Indeed many of those who travelled there twice over the last five years found themselves booking holidays in the region afterwards. An Irish company specialising in surfing holidays now offers self-catering apartments during July and August for €1,220 per week. It isn’t cheap, and another downside is that the client has to book separate flights with either Aer Lingus to Bilbao or Ryanair to Biarritz. The apartments comfortably accommodate four people and the price includes five surf lessons in the region.

Check it out at www. Surfholidays.com or telephone [phone].

FOR many sunseekers, holidays are a time to relax, recharge the batteries and simply do as little as possible. According to Sunworld, however, increasing numbers of Irish holidaymakers are getting active, be it walking, diving, surfing or golfing. The favourite active holiday destinations this season are: Fuerteventura (surfing, wind-surfing); Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt (diving); Madeira (walking); Portugal and Tunisia (golf).

Contact the company on 0818 200 400, pop into any local travel agent or log onto www.Sunworld.ie