Haven holiday resort in north Wales

Winter warmer


If you're not deterred by the new, ramped-up security measures on flights to the US, Gohop.ie offers a great winter sun holiday to Orlando, Florida, where temperatures are in the glorious early 20s. The seven-night package is for travel between January and March and costs €549 per person sharing. Included in the price are return flights from Dublin to Orlando via Atlanta, seven nights in a two-star hotel (although there is a possibility of upgrading to a three-star) and airline taxes. You must book by 18 January – visit www.gohop.ie, or tel 01 241 2315 for details.


Isle be there


We're not suggesting it's a budget option, but if you are in the market for a five-star getaway to paradise, Tropical Sky has a very appealing deal to Tobago. For €1,729 per person, you can stay at the award-winning five-star Coco Reef Resort. Acknowledged as one of the island's best resorts, Coco Reef sits on 10 acres of manicured tropical gardens, with everything you need for that perfect sun holiday, including private beach, spa, tennis courts and restaurants. The deal is all-inclusive, available for selected departure dates in January and includes flights from Dublin (via Gatwick) transfers, taxes and surcharges. Visit www.tropicalsky.ie, or tel 01 526 2566.


Take a chance


In such a lean month, getting away seems like a luxury we might never be able to afford again but we do like the idea of random holidays. This is where you decide on a destination, purely based on the fact that you can get a cheap flight there, and then decide on the logistics of how you're going to afford it closer to the time. Aer Lingus's January sale is running until midnight on 18 January and offers fares on almost 70 routes from Cork and Dublin, including London Heathrow from €19.99, Amsterdam, Berlin and Paris from €29.99 and New York and Boston from €189. All fares are one way and include taxes and charges. Travel is between 6 January and 24 March, which gives you three months to save for your jaunt. See www.aerlingus.com.


Ferry good


The early bird catches the good travel deal. Irish Ferries Holidays offers a seven-night self-catering stay at the Haven Holiday resort of Hafan Y Mor in north Wales, for departure 26 June. The price per night – based on two adults and up to four children sharing a superior six-berth caravan – is €47 per adult. You can take advantage of a low booking deposit of €50 if you book before 27 February. The park is ideal for outdoor-loving families, and offers everything from boating to rope-walking. Call 0818 300 400 for details.


Clean break


Feeling toxic post-Christmas? BrookLodge Hotel in Macreddin Village, Co Wicklow, has a new year's package to whip you back into shape. It starts with early arrival at the hotel, where you'll relax in the thermal suite and enjoy three detox and pampering treatments – full-body exfoliation, lymphatic drainage back massage and detox body wrap. That evening there's an organic feed in the Italian restaurant La Taverna Armento, with overnight stay. The next day starts with a stretch and tone class, followed by breakfast and a guided walk through Aughrim woods. The price is €195 per person sharing. Available every Sunday to Thursday from 10 January until 28 February, bar Valentine's Day. See www.brooklodge.com, or tel: 0402 36444.


On and off piste


En famille is great in theory, but not if you're the only one who would rather drink gluhwein than hit the black runs. If this applies to you, Irish ski operator Highlife is touting Val d'Isère in the French Alps as being the destination with something for everybody. Its slopes are renowned but it also offers myriad other non-skiing options including snow-shoe walks and fitness classes, as well as a cinema, cable-car transfers to mountain restaurants, a local Alpine history museum and some serious retail therapy. Prices start from €970 per adult and €802 for children under the age of 12 and include mini-coach transfers to and from your chalet; accommodation with facilities including saunas, hot tubs and log fires; great food and wine; and ski guiding. Visit www.highlife.ie and tel: 01 677 1100.