IRISH long-haul specialist Escape2 currently has a special offer to the Kuramathi Blue Lagoon Beach Bungalows in the Maldives for seven nights all inclusive for 2,049pp plus taxes. For more information call Escape2 on 01-8085464.

Go with the snow in Norway

TOPFLIGHT has a special three-day package to Lillehammer in Norway for 399. Taxes and ski packs extra. Flights are from Dublin to Oslo with SAS.

Call Topflight on 01-240 1759 for more details.

Budget ends its Christmas queue

BUDGET Travel announced it is ending the tradition of people queuing outside its shops for free or bargain holidays prior to its January sale and is instead putting a new on-line queuing system into operation. The Virtual Queue, which started on 11 December and runs until Sunday 31 December, gives customers all across the country the opportunity to win one of 30 Mediterranean holidays from the comfort of their own homes or internet cafe.

As a gesture of goodwill this Christmas, to mark the end of the traditional queue, Budget Travel is donating 20,000 to the charity Focus Ireland to assist them in the work they do with people who are homeless. For more information visit www. budgettravel. ie and click on January Sale Queue.

A great deal on a cruise holiday

CRUISE Holidays has just announced dates for a special bridge cruise departing from Dublin on 8 September 2007 for eight days. The highlights include daily bridge clinics with the renowned bridge expert, Seamus Dowling. Prices start from an inclusive price of 1,399 per person including all flights, transfers, all meals and entertainment onboard, daily bridge clinics and bridge every evening. For more information visit www. cruiseholidays. ie or tel 01-8173558.

A Smart New Year in Edinburgh

SMART City Hostels in Edinburgh still have availability for Hogmanay 2007. The four-day party package is £175 ( 260) which includes four nights' accommodation and a street party pass.

The hostel is five-star standard with keycard access and has women-only rooms. Availability is limited.

Make your reservation by e-mailing reservations@smartcityhostels. com quoting reference 'smart city Hogmanay', or call reservations on +44-870 892 3000.

Start your ski holiday on a high

SKI specialist Highlife has announced free helicopter transfers to the Three Valleys for key ski departures in 2007. Groups of six skiers will be flown from Geneva Airport directly to Highlife's Chalet Elodie in Meribel, France.

Worth a total of 1,650 . . . or 275 per person . . . these free private helicopter transfers whisk guests to the snowy slopes in just 25 minutes and provide a dramatic entry to the Alps.www. highlife. ie

Snow way to raise money

LERMOOS, Austria (10-17 March) will be the destination for the 14th annual charity ski event.

Nikki Hayes and Larry Gogan from RTE's 2FM will be broadcasting live from the slopes. The total cost of the trip includes your own holiday ( 897) costs and a fundraising target of 950 . . .

which specifically pays for private ski tuition for blind and visually impaired skiers who are taking part in the event. For more information contact Claire McDermott at the NCBI on 01-8307033.

In association with Abroad magazine and www. abroad. ie