Hot Deals

The 56th anniversary of the Wexford Festival Opera takes place in southeast Ireland in June and Kudu Travel (01722 716 167) is highlighting a seven-day holiday starting  June 4, which includes tickets for four opera performances at the Festival, plus a theatre performance and a Literary Pub Crawl in Dublin.  The land-only cost is £1750 per person, twin-share including six nights, four-star (four in country house hotels and two in a Georgian townhouse), all meals and wine/beer, private transport, all tickets, entrance fees, plus the services of a tour leader and manager throughout. 

Centenary celebrations at Old Winery Cottage – a week, £102 pp with Classic Cottages. The town of Fowey in the Cornish Riveria hosts the Daphne du Maurier Festival from 10-19 May – with this year’s event marking the centenary of the novelist’s birth on 13 May (www.dumaurierfestival.co.uk). This arts and literature celebration comprises 10 sparkling days of star names, drama, music, talks, walks, local events and free entertainment. Base yourself at Old Winery Cottage (sleeps four), a stone-built barn conversion just two miles away. Beautifully decorated, it is furnished with a mix of antique and new furniture and faces a four-acre meadow. A week from 11 May costs £102 pp (£408 total). Call Classic Cottages on 01326 555 555.

A novel property – one week at Island House: £94 pp, Classic Cottages It’s easy to understand Daphne du Maurier’s love of Cornwall when staying at properties such as Island House (sleeps six). Built out from the waterfront into the inner harbour of Golant, next to Fowey, its stunning location is hard to beat. The River Fowey surrounds three sides of the house at high tide with water views from every window, while the en-suite master bedroom comes with its own balcony. Take in the Daphne du Maurier Festival (www.dumaurierfestival.co.uk), 10-19 May, in Fowey, with a week from 11 May costing £94 pp (564 total). Call Classic Cottages on 01326 555 555 (www.classic.co.uk).

Leaving the beloved family pet behind is not only a guilt-ridden, but costly decision.  A family holiday in Ireland is the solution, with many self-catering cottages and some hotels happy to welcome a four-legged friend.  For example, Irish Ferries (08705 17 17 17) is highlighting the Woodside Holiday Homes in County Wexford, just a few minutes_ walk from the beach (dogs permitted).  A week_s stay in a three-bedroomed cottage costs £565 for two adults, two children (and dog) starting May 26, including return Pembroke/Rosslare or Holyhead/Dublin ferry crossings for the family car and passengers. 

’41’, London’s most intimate boutique hotel, provides outstanding service in a secluded world of opulent warmth. Holder of five coveted red stars, it welcomes all its guests to what has been described as “the deliciously confidential atmosphere of a private club”.

The Weekend Sparkle package includes: Luxurious accommodation; full English breakfast each day; A chilled bottle of Veuve Clicquot on arrival; ’41’s special “Plunder the Pantry” offering a variety of treats.

The package is from £205 per night for two people sharing, exclusive of VAT and subject to availability (minimum stay two nights at weekends). The Weekend Sparkle package is available throughout 2007 – so please contact the hotel with your preferred dates or check and book online. For bookings contact ‘41′ on  +44 (0)20 7300 0041.