JIM MURTY Thanks Ronan... you’ve given us all a great idea!
II should really just have played it safe and got her a holiday – last year’s gift of a week in Portugal Centro, taken in September, exceeded all expectations.
There is a plethora of January sales on now so even if you didn’t get a holiday gift under the tree, you can just treat yourself anyway.
If all these celebs holidaying in Barbados is making you jealous, then take a closer look at the deals on offer... they are not beyond your reach. Sandals is running 12 Days of Christmas until January 8 across the Caribbean where you can save up to 55% on some rooms and suites plus an extra £150 (€170) off stays of seven nights using promocode 12DAYS1 or an extra £200 (€225) off stays of ten days or more (12DAYS2).
Try Sandals Royal Barbados, seven nights from £1,845pp (€2,000) inc. return flights from London, to travel between August 28 and November 30. Call (08000) 22 30 30 or see www.sandals.co.uk.
Or Tropical Sky (www.tropicalsky.ie/(01) 664 9999) has seven-nights all-inclusive from €1769pp at the Sea Breeze Beach House, week commencing May 28. Save up to €800pp plus up to $150 resort credit, 1st child under 11 stays free
Now if your Christmas spirit was tested by seeing Ronan, Storm and Cooper Keating kicking up the sand in the Maldives then Budget Travel’s 12-night special in Abu Dhabi & Maldives with Etihad should give you your pep back. Three nights B&B at the Al Raha Beach hotel and then nine nights all-inclusive at Kuredu Island Resort & Spa. From €2519. Phone (01) 435 0005. Visit escape2. Want to go further east? Hayes & Jarvis (www.hayesandjarvis.ie) has Floating Markets, Elephants and Southern Shores, don’t you know? Four nights in Bangkok, two nights in Khao Sok and seven nights B&B in Khoa Lak from €2,139pp. Includes: Return flights ex. Dublin with BA. Travel May. If your kids still aren’t satisfied (or, maybe that should be you) then Disney is, of course, the ultimate family holiday. American Holidays if offering a Disney Summer Family Package which includes seven nights at Disney’s All Star Music Resort form €1,115pp. That includes return flights ex. Dublin, a seven-day ultimate ticket with Memory Maker, Disney Magical Transfers and all inresort transportation. Based on two adults and two children sharing. Travel May. Call 01 673 3804, see www.americanholidays.com.