THINK of gently rolling, sun-kissed hills dotted with cypress trees, red-stoned farmhouses nestling amid the landscape, stunning towns and cities awash with history and all things cultural, and you could only be in Tuscany. And if you'd prefer to stay out of the cities (but close enough for that blast of culture when you feel the need) then the good news is that To Tuscany, a company that specialises in this region, has just launched an Irish string to its already well-established British bow.

Now up and running, www. to-tuscany. ie offers a choice of more than 200 properties from small dwellings suitable for a couple or small family, up to large villas, perfect for that family celebration.

Some come with a private pool, some with a shared pool, some are close to towns, others are more rural.

Prices are competitive . . . in July, for example, you'll get a week at Villa Silvia (sleeping four) at Montefienali for 600 . . .that's for the property. With increased direct flights now available from Ireland to Rome and to Pisa (Aer Lingus and Ryanair) this whole region of Italy has been opened up to the Irish traveller.

Check out www. to-tuscany. ie or ring 1800 930 990 for more information.

Get those holiday snaps transformed

TURN your holiday snaps into works of art courtesy of Tour America, the American holiday specialists, who are now offering a service that will transform those holiday photos into art, suitable for hanging on the livingroom wall.

Printed on canvas, and available in different dimensions, they could make great souvenirs, birthday presents or whatever.

For specific prices, according to size, contact Tour America on 01 8173500, www. touramerica. ie Avail of Sunway's Dubai 'special' deal DUBAI has been very much in the travel news in recent weeks because of the new direct flight from Dublin with Aer Lingus.

Sunway was already offering the shopping magnet city-state as part of their 'Worldwide' programme for 2006 however, and now they have a 'special' deal available, priced from 860 per person and operational from 1 May until 30 June.

The price includes flights (with Air France via Paris), transfers and five nights on a half-board basis at the fourstar Oasis Beach hotel with the guarantee of a superior, sea-view room, a real plus that will give you a vista out over the Arabian Gulf.

Located in the famous Jumeirah Beach part of town, the hotel has its own private beach and landscaped gardens, and offers a wealth of facilities including access to all kinds of watersport activities. There's also tennis courts, a gym, swimming pools and, this being Dubai, a shopping arcade.

To avail of this special offer you need to book (www. sunway. ie, 01 2886828) before 15 May.

Families should talk Turkey with Falcon

SOME good family deals available for early summer with Falcon . . . a week in Turkey, for example, in the Pegasos Palace holiday village in Sarigerme is priced at 2,008, all inclusive, for a family of two adults and two children for departures on 20 May. The accommodation in question is of the four-star variety and is close to the beach with everything on hand from a waterpark and a soccer school to a host of bars, restaurants, shops and the like.

All drinks and meals are included in the price, a real bonus with Coke/lemonadeguzzling kids.

On the same departure date you could head instead to Club Anastasia in Marmaris in Turkey, again with loads of child-friendly amenities, and pay from 249 per adult and 219 per child. For details of these offers and others in late May contact www. falconholidays. ie or telephone 1850 453545.

Special opening offers at Design Hotel in Bali

DESIGN HOTELS have just announced the opening of their latest acquisition . . .

the Elysian, in Seminyak, Bali, a hotel comprised of private villas, each with bedroom, bathroom, open-plan living area and a private pool.

Design, obviously, is key here and natural materials are used throughout.

There's also a main swimming pool (complete with Balinese temple), a clubhouse, a spa and a library.

The fashionable Seminyak district is home to any number of restaurants, and designer boutiques. Check out the website (www. designhotels. com) for special opening offers.