Time to go on the piste

THERE are just a couple of days to go before Crystal Ski ends the special package offers it initiated last year.

For bookings made before November 30, Austrian seven-day packages are now on sale from €899 per person and to Andorra from €629. For details, call the Crystal specialist reservation service on 01-4331080 or visit www.crystalski.ie.

- APPLE Core Hotels in New York (www.applecorehotels.com) are now offering special rates for the winter season through two properties, the hotel@times square and nyma, the New York manhattan hotel. The two distinctive brands offer affordable accommodation with first-class facilities for those cost-conscious travellers that want to be right in the heart of midtown New York. Low season room rates start from $99 (€73) or $119 (€88) per night based on two adults sharing.

- WITH the new Harry Potter film filling Irish cinemas, Tour America is seeing a heavy demand for a range of “Harry Potter Specials” they have put together at exclusive prices. All of the special offers include a seven night stay in a Universal Resort hotel within walking distance of the Wizarding World of Harry Potter and include seven days of unlimited access to Universal Islands of Adventure. A price example is at the Hard Rock Hotel from €769 per person sharing, parks access and taxes included. Contact Tour America for more information on 01-8173500 or 021-2429555, or online www.touramerica.ie

- TROPICAL Sky is offering seven nights at the four-star Sunset Jamaica Grande Hotel in Jamaica from €1,079 available for selected departures in January. The price includes flights from Dublin (via Gatwick) with British Airways, accommodation on an all-inclusive basis, resort transfers, taxes and surcharges. The company also offers a similar winter retreat package to Antigua for just €20 extra. Details on www.tropicalsky.ie or by telephone to 01-8077996 or 068-56800)

- THE world’s largest and newest cruise ship, the US $1.5 billion Allure of the Seas, is celebrating its launch with news that two thirds of its Irish guests are treating themselves to some of the best accommodation on offer.

Prices for an eight-night fly/cruise start from €1,596 per person. Price includes return flights from Dublin or Cork, one night’s pre-cruise hotel accommodation, a seven-night cruise departing Fort Lauderdale in Florida (and calling at Labadee, Haiti; Falmouth, Jamaica and Cozumel, Mexico, before returning to Fort Lauderdale), meals and entertainment onboard and all relevant cruise taxes/fees. For more information or to book see www.cruiseholidays.ie; alternatively, call 01-8173555 or 021-2429555.