LONG-established in the UK and with a reputation for top-notch properties at prices that don't require a Lotto win, James Villa Holidays is now operating in Ireland and has a terrific 25% discount available to the first 100 bookings taken for holidays in May, plus a 10% discount for other months of the year.

With a portfolio of some 1,500 villas in 25 different destinations, prices start from 149 per villa, per week . . . obviously that's in low season . . . and locations range from Lanzarote to Sardinia, Cyprus to the Caribbean. The villas themselves come in four different categories . . . private villas with a private pool, villa resorts with a host of shared amenities, apartments with shared pool and lastly, 'The Best of James' category, this being superior properties with what the James people themselves call "the wow factor".

To check out what's on offer (and you'll probably need to move fast to avail of that 25% discount), contact 0818 221150, www. jamesvillas. ie.

An Ice spring break and all that jazz

HEAD to Iceland at the end of next month and take in some great jazz at the Rite of Spring Festival in Reykjavik from 27/30 April. Apart from jazz (Mezzoforte, Iceland's leading jazz group will be performing) there's lots of other world music with one of the other highlights being the performance of Storsveit Nix Noltes, who specialise in the Balkan folk music tradition. The festival itself is being run in conjunction with Icelandair, which is offering special deals on flights from London. Find out about their 'Rite of Spring' specials at www. icelandair. co. uk.

In tent on a very comfortable safari

HERITAGEHotels, the Kenyan-based specialist which offers both safari and beach accommodation is in the process of refurbishing two of its 'Intrepid' safari camps and equipping them with the latest in luxury tented accommodation.

With new tents (all handcrafted by the East Africa Canvas Company) destined for the Mara Intrepids camp in the Maasai Mara game reserve and also for the Samburu Intrepids, they all come with wooden floors, four-poster beds and marbled bathrooms. Each tent leads out to a balcony, suitable for private dining, or as a viewing point to watch the wildlife come to drink at the river below. With eight different locations in the hotel group, you can find out more by taking a look at its website:

www. heritage-eastafrica. com.

Have a chill-out Easter in beautiful Donegal

BALLYLIFFIN Lodge, located on the Inishowen Peninsula in Donegal, has some tempting Easter offers available if you feel in the need for a chill-out few days . . . and you can relax even further by making the most of the hotel spa while you're there. From 9 April until 23 April you can enjoy (midweek or weekend) three nights bed and breakfast with dinner on two evenings for 180 per person sharing. If you can't manage three nights, then 135 will get you two weekend nights with one dinner while, midweek, the same deal costs 110 per person. Ballyliffin can be contacted on 074 9378200, www. ballyliffinlodge. com.