Post-Budget sun... views

IRELAND has had a tough time over the last few weeks with the IMF, EMU, snow, black ice and a severe budget.

For those who can still afford it, even for those who can’t but desperately need a break, Sunway is offering special deals to a selection of sun destinations in the coming months.

Most of the goodies are available in 2011 to a selection of resorts but the €299 seven day breaks are also available to Gran Canaria from Cork and Lanzarote from Dublin for Christmas.

All holidays include flights, transfers, accommodation, taxes and charges. Booking up to midnight tomorrow (December 12) to 01 2886828 or logging on to www.sunway.ie

- THOMAS Cook Sport Ireland have a couple of interesting excursions in the first few months of 2011, kick-starting with a feature weekend embracing the Six Nations Wales/Ireland game.

That takes place on March 12 and the price of €273 includes match ticket and one overnight stay on a bed and breakfast basis.

For some reason, the company doesn’t quote for travel either for that or for the Turkish Gran Prix, Istanbul, on May 8; for €380 the company will supply three nights accommodation and a weekend admission ticket to the racing.

To book, call the Thomas Cook Sport Dublin Office 0818 200 112.

- A TRIDENT Holiday Home, during the Christmas holidays, costs from €285, with a full week break on offer from €385 for a house sleeping five people.

Choice of destination is varied. Further information from www.tridentholidayhomes.ie or 01 2018490.

- CRYSTAL Ski have come up with a nice ski package ex-Ireland.

The company is offering a four night break to Austria between January 4 and 8 for €349 with flights out of Cork or Dublin.

Travel insurance and ski/snow board tuition is extra. Details from 01 4331080 or visit www.crystalski.ie.

Still on the subject of skiing, there’s something beyond the Alps, so why not try some new destinations? The Black Forest Region has some 200 ski lifts to deliver winter sports fans to the top of more than 70 peaks above 1,000 metres.

In the former East, Thuringia and Saxony also have a handful of treats for skiers all within reasonable distance of Berlin, Dresden and Leipzig.

Also, the German state of Lower Saxony is home to the western half of the Harz Mountains, where many of the region’s ski areas are located.

Many of these don’t have the cushy high-speed lifts or luxurious lodges typical to larger Alpine resorts, but this — along with cheaper tickets and smaller crowds — is part of their charm.

For those interested in the independent style holiday, contact www.germany-tourism.co.uk