Waikiki beach in Honolulu

Perfect match


On 10 October the boys in green will take on Italy in Croke Park to qualify for a place in the World Cup. Fingers crossed and if you'd like to be there, you can book your match ticket and a night in the three-star Ballsbridge Inn with Abbey Travel Sports. The package costs €189, based on two people sharing. Tel 01 804 7100; www.abbeytravel.ie.


Pretty Polynesia


For those who feel the call of the Pacific Ocean, Aloha Holidays Hawaii has extended its sale into October. There are three deals on offer here: one combines Honolulu with either Maui or the Big Island; another takes in Hawaii and Las Vegas. Both start from €1,795 per person sharing including taxes. The third deal is a seven-night Honolulu only package from €1,370 per person sharing including taxes. Bookings must be made by 23 October. The two island-only packages, for travel between 1 October and 8 December, are based on five nights on each island, staying in three-star hotels with pools. In Las Vegas, you'll stay for four nights in a four-star hotel, followed by six nights in a three-star hotel in Honolulu, just steps away from Waikiki beach. Travel is between 1 November and 8 December. Tel: (01) 210 8391; www.alohaholidays.ie.


Make waves


A surfing and pilates holiday in the Basque country? We like. The offer from Surf Holiday includes self-catering luxury accommodation in the Basque town of Zarautz for one week with a five-day surf and beach pilates course, available for any day on arrival from 14 September. Zarautz, which is 20km from San Sebastian, has the Basque country's longest beach and a lively nightlife. Each person will get surf lessons on Zarautz beach every morning, break for some lunch (delicious Basque tapas or 'pintxos') and then in the afternoon take a pilates course on a stand-up paddle board in the middle of the ocean. The offer costs €380 per person. Check Ryanair for cheap flights during September. Tel: 01 482 2828; www.surfholidays.com.


Buon appetito


Nice food should always be one of a holiday's highlights and if you're a foodie you can maximize that pleasure by going on a cooking holiday. A Taste of Rome is offering 10% off all weekend or week-long breaks to its Italian cookery school located in the medieval hilltop village of Casperia, just south of Tuscany. The holidays include accommodation with breakfast, cookery lessons and the chance to taste the exquisite wines and oils of the region.


When you book before 30 September, you'll receive the 10% discount, which saves you €69 per weekend or €115 per week. Casperia is situated an hour and a half away from both airports in Rome and the cheapest and easiest way to reach it is by train. Aer Lingus flies direct from Dublin and Cork to Rome's Fiumicino airport, while Ryanair flies direct from Dublin to Ciampino airport. Visit www.atasteofrome.com for more information.


Autumn Leave


Private Ireland is a collection of beautiful properties ranging from country house to boutique hotels and they're offering a 'Harvest Moon' package to say hello to autumn. The package, which costs €199 per person sharing, includes two nights' B&B; champagne, chocolates and a selection of autumnal fruits on arrival, a romantic 'harvest' dinner on the evening of your choice and a harvest breakfast, with more autumnal fruits and good old-fashioned porridge. Properties n the collection include Aberdeen Lodge in Dublin 4, the Brook Lane Hotel in Kenmare and the Ross Lake House Hotel in Oughterard, Co Galway, amongst others. Visit www.privateireland.com; 061 402444.


Grape fun


The downturn has its sunny side. Two Irish sisters who started off in the property business decided to diversify two years ago and began a new venture, The French Tour Company. They organise tailor-made tours to the south of France, specialising in wine tours. This autumn, they're running a tour to coincide with the wine festival in Perpignan.


The offer (which doesn't include flights to and from Girona) is from 15-18 October and costs €379. Included are airport transfers, three nights' accommodation in a spa hotel, Residence Cela Alenya and a full-day wine tour on Friday, where you will visit three different vineyards and have a four-course lunch. You will also spend a day in Perpignan city at the Nouveau Roussillon wine festival and a day at the traditional fishing town of Collioure. Price is per person sharing, with a single supplement of €60. Visit thefrenchtourco.com for details.