Bellinter House in Navan, Co. Meath

Sea in the new year


Seafield Hotel is Wexford is one of our favourite boltholes for numerous reasons – chic design, great food, an opulent spa and nearby beach walks. You can see in the New Year in style with its two-night mini-break package. This includes two nights' accommodation, full Irish breakfast on both mornings, entry to the New Year's Eve gala ball (this is a black-tie affair which includes dinner, a champagne reception and entertainment from soul band Santoria) and full use of the thermal suites in the Ocea Spa. Prices start from €280 per person sharing. Visit www.seafieldhotel.com; tel: 053 9424000


A very big house in the country


Another enticing New Year's offer is from Bellinter House in Navan, Co Meath. Only an hour from Dublin, it's the quintessential country retreat with a great party atmosphere. Its NY package (€259 per person sharing) includes two nights' accommodation, an evening meal in Eden restaurant on a night of your choice, entertainment with bubbles for all at midnight and there will be sky lanterns for all guests to release into the night's sky. Visit www.bellinterhouse.com; tel: 046 9030900.


Waterford class


Midweek is the way to go when you want to get the best-value travel deals. Waterford Castle & Golf Resort is luring visitors with its midweek offer, which is running throughout December and January. The 800-year-old castle is quite an experience, from the short ferry crossing to the private island to the antique and tapestry laden décor. The food here is also quite special. They're offering one night's bed and breakfast in the castle, with dinner, from €129 per person sharing, or a two-night stay with breakfast each morning and dinner on one evening from €169 per person sharing. There's also the option of staying in one of the island's holiday homes. The Waterford Castle Lodges, which sleep up to six, are chic retreats and available from €200 per night, mid-week. Visit www.waterfordcastle.com; tel: 051 878203.


Get in the swing


If winter sun and some excellent golf is your idea of a wonderful holiday, Oceânico Resorts & Leisure in the Algarve has a seven-night golf package for December and January starting at €250 per person for four sharing. Included is seven nights' self-catering luxury accommodation at the Vila Baia resort with three rounds of golf (buggies are free) at a local selection of golf courses. Additional rounds can also be booked at the Oceânico O'Connor Jnr, course and the Oceânico Faldo Course located 30 minutes away at Oceânico's Amendoeira Golf Resort. Vila Baia itself is just an hour from Faro airport with a spectacular backdrop of Rocha Negra and 200 metres away from a sandy beach. Visit www.oceanicogroup.com.


Cannes do


There's an extravagance and grandeur about Cannes that permeates the city at all times and not just during the film festival. From yacht-watching to strolling along La Croisette, the waterfront avenue, to checking out the high-end boutiques, it's a fabulous glimpse into the lifestyles of the rich and famous. The Travel Department has a four-night trip to Cannes and the Cote D'Azur that doesn't require a platinum credit card. The trip is departing on 10 February and included in the price of €399 is direct flights from Dublin to Nice with Aer Lingus, four nights in the three-star Hotel Mondial on a B&B basis, full-day excursion to Aix en Provence with a guided walking tour of the historical centre with entrance to Cezanne's famous studio and a half-day excursion to St Paul de Vence with a professional guide. Visit www.thetraveldepartment.ie; tel:
01 637 1600.


Go Sligo


Jetcetera is tempted by lots of New Year's Eve packages, kicking off with family fun in the Clarion Hotel, Sligo, which is offering a very good deal. For €155 per person sharing you can stay for two nights (31 December and 1 January) with full Irish breakfast and one evening meal. Kids get free B&B when they share their parents' room and to ring in the New Year there's a fireworks display in the hotel grounds and a family disco until the wee hours. They're laying on plenty of extra kids' activities and you'll also have use of the sanoViate Health and Leisure Club facilities. Tel: 071 911 9000 and visit www.clarionhotelsligo.com