Twelve Hotel, Bearna, Galway

Twelve Days


Not made any firm New Year plans yet? You still have time to do so and this week, Jetcetera has rounded up some nice options. First up is the Twelve Hotel in Bearna, Galway, where they're promising to pamper you into 2010. The two-night package here is from €250 per person sharing. This includes two nights' bed and breakfast and a celebratory dinner in the hotel's West restaurant, which includes a delicious six courses, followed by entertainment in the Pins Bar. Visit www.thetwelvehotel.ie; tel: 091 59700


Northern delight


If you can't make it the Edinburgh to celebrate Hogmanay there you can still experience some Scottish cheer at the five-star Culloden Estate and Spa on the Antrim coastline. Here you'll be welcomed with mulled wine and mince pies on arrival before the celebrations proper kick off with a champagne and canapé reception in front of a roaring log fire in the hotel's Chancel lounge. Then there's the six-course meal in the Mitre Restaurant, including an address to the haggis in true Burns style and an evening of dancing to Rat Pack classics. The countdown to midnight will be helped along by the hotel's piper and a live broadcast from Edinburgh Castle. The package, which includes a hearty breakfast, costs £195 (€220) per person sharing for a one-night stay and £275 (€310) per person sharing for two. Visit www.hastingshotel.com; tel: 048 90421066.


Setting the sneem


Our third New Year's Eve suggestion is at Parknasilla Resort in Sneem, Co Kerry. Here, you'll enjoy a welcome drinks reception after check in. Then it's a cocktail reception and black-tie banquet in the Pygmalion restaurant and entertainment in the Doolittle bar until you're fit to drop. The next day you can opt for breakfast or brunch, depending on what time you rise, and spend the morning roaming around the 500-acre estate. In the afternoon, join in the treasure hunt around the estate and then spend the evening having a candle-lit dinner with your significant other. The next morning, it's another buffet breakfast and even your car will have benefited from the break because there's a complimentary valeting service. The two-night package costs €395 per person sharing and €190 per child. Visit www.parknasillahotel.ie; tel: 064 6675600


Desert storm


The financial crisis in Dubai could very well benefit Irish holidaymakers. According to Hotels.com, searches for hotels in Dubai have risen by 148% since its fiscal woes became known. And there are some good deals to be had. You could stay in the four-star Xclusive Hotel Apartments in Bur Dubai where the price per room per night is €73 down from €92. These apartments are decorated with leather and dark wood furnishings; each guestroom is equipped with its own kitchen and has balconies that offer great views of the city's old quarter. Visit www.hotels.com.


Match maker


If you're still stuck for present ideas (although check out our last-minute gift guide on page 8) and you've got to buy something for the soccer lover in your life, check out some of Abbey Travel Sports offers. Celtic play Rangers in Glasgow on 3 January and for €199 (plus €69 tax per person) you can get them a special day trip to the match including flight, transfer and ticket. And €379 will get them two nights in a three-star hotel on a room only basis, coach and ferry trip. Alternatively there's the Manchester United vs Manchester City match on 19 January. The special day trip, including flight, transfer plus ticket costs €199 per person plus €69 tax. Visit www.abbeytravel.ie; tel:01 8047100.


Sicily special


The good news for lovers of Sicily is that Concorde Travel will be featuring the island in 2010.


They promise to have something to suit all tastes and all budgets, with Sunday and Wednesday departures from Dublin to Catania starting from 28 March.


For example, a stay in the three-star Hotel Nike in Giardini Naxos, including flights, transfers, accommodation and taxes, is from €530 per person while a similar stay in the five-star Hotel Mazzaro Sea Palace in Taormina Mare is from €1,370 per person.


These are on a B&B basis for selected travel in March, April and May. Visit www.concordetravel.ie; tel: 01 7759300 for more details.